Echo 550ESP

[Brewz]

Hey folks.

I got this little saw for $20.
The reason the previous owner stopped using it was he snapped off one of the muffler mounting bolts.
With a 4mm drill and a 5mm tap, the issue was fixed in under 10 minutes.

It had a Stihl mount bar on it, which does not fit properly.

I have ordered a 16" GB bar to suit as well as a new chain sprocket.

I got it all back together this afternoon and put some fuel in it.
Fired it up and it runs like a top!




I really like this saw!
Its really comfortable to hold, sounds great and has done bugger all work. Its near new.
I got it in the batch of saws I bought to fix and flip, but being an older "non-popular" model with really bad parts availability, its not going to sell for much.
I almost never use a small saw. I have cut enough firewood for myself and my parents to last several years and have not put a tank of fuel through the Stihl 026 I have.

I am thinking of selling my Stihl 026, which will bring better money, and keep the little Echo as a bit of a play toy to tinker with. Its design fascinates me.
Don't get me wrong, I know the 026 will probably be the better saw, but as good as it is, I just cant fall in love with it. I also want to spend some time using other makes and models to expand my love of using chainsaws.

Now........ it has 2 issues, one of which is really bad.

The stock air filter is TERRIBLE !!!
I gave it a good clean, but it is so thick that I cannot blow air through the fabric. It would just starve the saw for air.
I plan to run a test running the saw with and without it when I get the bar and chain for it.



It is however a perfect candidate for a V Stack and pod style air filter.
Would probably look at a round flat style, but you get the picture. This would solve the air in issue.



The other issue is the muffler which has pipes running through it making it restrictive, and heavy, and breathes out a little hole which is part of the muffler and cant really be "enlarged"

I see 2 options.
Split the muffler risking destroying it in the process.
Have a new baffle-less box made (would cost bugger all to have one welded up at a local sheet metal place) that I can add a larger diameter outlet pipe to.

I will have to take some pics of the muffler tomorrow.

All thoughts, ideas, suggestions, model tips from experience welcome.

Discuss!

 

[RI Chevy]

Nice score. I never find deals like this.

 

[Brewz]

Oh I wont mention the other saws I got in the lot of 9 for $22 each
2 x Husky 372xp's, a 371xp, 268, 575xp, Stihl MS660, 064 and an old 041AV

 

[RI Chevy]

OMG!

 

[Brewz]

On the 026.
My big hate of this saw..... and all other smaller Stihls of a similar style is the flimsy off/on/choke switch which I always seem to bump and it shuts down the saw.
The on off switch on the Echo is in a great spot, and wont kill the saw if you bump it.

 

[Brewz]

I know its not a Stihl or a husky super saw, but does anyone have any experience or opinions on these?

 

[Brewz]

@drf255
Whats your opinion on this little 55cc saw?

 

[CR888]

Them old echos were made well with the paint laid on thick. That's a nice one! Can't you add a port to the muffler with a deflector?

 

[Brewz]

Spent an hour making a nice top cover out of black perspex to mount the v stack on.

Was drilling the last hole for access to the oiler adjustment and the drill bit in and broke it.

Now I have to make another one

 

[Brewz]

2nd attempt went better!
I just need to recess a bit to stop the perspex pushing on the choke lever tab.

 

[Brewz]

The muffler is buried under the base plate.
It is basically a rectangular box that exits out a square port that mates up to a separate baffle holding a screen.

Not really and options to add another port

 

[drf256]

Looks Great Tony.

I don't know a thing about that saw

 

[Brewz]

I don't know a thing about that saw

ah rats.

I do know that when I get time, I plan to strip it right down and replace all the Phillips head screws with hex head ones,

 

[Brewz]

Got a new GB drum and rim sprocket and a new GB bar for it today.

The bar is an obsolete model which is a solid pro bar without a replaceable end but for $35 as a bar/chain combo with Carlton chain, I am very pleased with it.
Its 16" 3/8

I gave it a run this arvo noodling some hard timber rounds and it is loaded with torque.

Cant wait to put it up against the 026

 

[Brewz]

Kinda feel like I am talking to myself here, I know its no Stihl or Husky but has anyone done any serious porting of these old Echo's?

It pulls that 3/8 chain with authority as is, so I imagine it would go like a scalded cat with some work.

 

[jake wells]

I know its not a Stihl or a husky super saw, but does anyone have any experience or opinions on these?

a muffler mod helps a lot they are very restricted inside the muffler and the deflector is restricted to and it wasnt any louder but it ran much better.

 

[jake wells]

@idiotwithasaw this saw uses the same muffler as my cs 440evl tell him how restrictive it is.

 

[idiotwithasaw]

I've only ever seen two of these saws and they were both on the same guys shelf. I would love to have one for the coolness factor, but would hate to have to use it all day. All we did to yours jake was pull the baffle and open the exit.

 

[Guido Salvage]

I have one here but it needs a rebuild.

 

[Savage Saws]

It will need a muffler mod without a dout Brewz. It will more than likely have a extremely large squish clearance. I havent done any mods to a 550 but i have done a cs-328 "little champ", cs-280e and a cs-70svl. The 701 had the worst squish of all at 1.7mm (.070".)

They can be made to run very nicely, hes the 701 in 24" dry Messmate.

I think Awol did a screaming 452evl as well.