I sold my ms460 and am about to purchase a new ms461r. I also have a 026 pro that is in good shape and was thinking of selling. The saw owes me nothing 20 years of sporadic use and it runs like a champ just wanting something new. Reading posts here got me wondering about having the o26 ported, would it make much difference? What will it do to reliability? Or should I be looking at a 261 or something from the dark side? Any thoughts appreciated.
Upgrading saws
- Thread starter Scott s
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Definitive Dave
wanna-be saw racer, saw hoarder, parts whore
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A ported 026 will make you smile....a lot and will be hundreds cheaper than the alternative and will run better by far.
I know a few guys
Dave
I know a few guys
Dave
I would MUCH rather have a MS261C. They are a better saw in every way, except being a bit heavier.
Definitive Dave
wanna-be saw racer, saw hoarder, parts whore
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meh, I do like a 261 and I use one but having an 026 ported would be around 300 all-in whereas a 261 is closer to 700 unported.
I think in stock form a 261 is an improvement on the 026 but a ported 261 is around 1000.00 and for a second saw, I see an 026 ported as a fun smaller saw.
If the budget will bear the burden a ported 241 or 261 is big fun, and likely will have more of the feel of his new 461.
There are some 026s out there that plain run, run, run
Scott - you will likely have to ship a saw to get it ported though there are probably great guy in Wisconsin, I don't know any personally.....yet
I think in stock form a 261 is an improvement on the 026 but a ported 261 is around 1000.00 and for a second saw, I see an 026 ported as a fun smaller saw.
If the budget will bear the burden a ported 241 or 261 is big fun, and likely will have more of the feel of his new 461.
There are some 026s out there that plain run, run, run
Scott - you will likely have to ship a saw to get it ported though there are probably great guy in Wisconsin, I don't know any personally.....yet
salmonhead
ArboristSite Lurker
I had the same thought process a few weeks ago. Having a little issue from not using the 026 pro enough. After some tinkering and cleaning, got it running well. Was going to send it out, until I ran into a 661c and a 261c from the same guy. Dumped the 026 and got the new technology. I love the new ones. Easier to start, way less smoke during warm up and when running, seem to be better antivibe, just seem all around better. The air cleaners are better. Got 250 out of my old 026 pro with just a 16" bar and one chain. Picked up the 261 for 450, so less increase than having the old one ported.
Wow a 261c for 450, I would jump on that too. My 026 pro was my first saw so there is some sentimental value there also. Mine has been a joy to own, never fussy. But on a 20 year old saw is there anything else you would replace when porting to protect the investment? Also what does porting do to reliability? That is probably my biggest concern in any saw.
More power and torque, better AV, best in class air filtration, upgrading from a horrible air filter, better carburetion.....
I am not ford Chevy fight to the death guy, I have 2 husqvarna lawn tractors and a brush cutter in the garage. The brush cutter is my least favorite tool been a gutless pos since day one but the tractors are good. I have had such good luck with the 460 and 260 it would take a very good reason not to buy a stihl.20 years on the 026 and 17 on the 460 without a real malfunction..... Pretty tough to beat.
Buy the 261cm and upgrade your 50cc saw inline with the latest tech. They are a fantastic saw and MUCH of an improvement over the 026/260.
Philip Wheelock
Finis Origine Pendet
1. Seems to me that porting is for saws that are new or don't have many hours on them due to the wear factor. Besides, the air filter on the 026/ms260 is a bottleneck.
2. My stock ms261 is plenty fast & works well with my ms460, my ms260 leaves too much of a power/speed gap.
2. My stock ms261 is plenty fast & works well with my ms460, my ms260 leaves too much of a power/speed gap.
Ding Ding.
A friend of mine just bought a standard carby 261 with the sticker still on the case for 350 bucks about 2 months ago..he forgot his ms 260 he had even exists.
Too much money for a used saw, IMHO.
I'd sell my new 461 for about that...Brad's right, too much
