Bigger jug on a 266xp

[redtractor]

With the price drop of Husq oem cylinders, I've been kicking around the idea of upgrading the 266. What's the top dog on that chassis? The best I can figure is the 272xp kit. The biggest question - would it be an increase that would be noticed?

 

[Landmark]

I think if it was a 268 i would opt for 272 upgrade but since its a 266 and top cover fitment could be an issue, i would have it ported and mm. Jmo

 

[Adirondackstihl]

I think carburetor fitment may be a slight issue but not an impassable barrier

 

[huskihl]

I did it to its black and red cousins. Just gotta get the 272xp intake block and bolts, impulse may be different, muffler may be different. But all doable I'd think. @Spike60 will know for sure

 

[Landmark]

I think the top cover will be the biggest hurdle. The front screw is different on a 266 so you cant use a 268/272 top cover. The screw is further back if i remeber correctly. And the plug wont fit under the 266 cover without a hole being cut or some other modification being made.

 

[SawTroll]

I think carburetor fitment may be a slight issue but not an impassable barrier

As far as I know, the carb and intake is needed, as well as the top end - for a simple "bolt on".

The carb may be possible to modify so it works, but hardly the intake? I don't really know, just "thinking loud".

Then there is the top cover, I believe Landmark is right...

There are some true experts on this family of saws out there, hopefully one of them turn up here.

 

[Spike60]

This post is being re-written because I mislead you guys with some bad info. I was driving to the grocery store this morning and was thinking, "Wait a minute, that wasn't right and I steered all those guys in the wrong direction." Apologies to to all............LOL

266 cover should fit without cutting, but it's tight under there. Same for a 61 gray top; it's the 61 white top that needs the cover cut.

The problem with the intake is the orientation of the carb bolts. Well, not really and this is where I wasn't thinking and screwed up.

So here's the correction: The carb will work with the 272 kit. The intake block on a 266 uses separate bolts to fasten it to the cylinder, and then uses 2 additional carb bolts to fasten the carb to the block. The 268/272 just uses 2 bolts that pass through the carb and block and then screw into the cylinder. So, the carb bolts do share the same orientation and there should be no problem using the carb with the 272 intake block. You will need to get the 272 carb screws however. Save the block and hardware from the 266 for future projects as all of those parts are NLA from Husky and there are no aftermarket alternatives that I know of.

The gain is noticeable, but not worth doing IMO if the 266 is running fine. If the 266 actually needed a top end, then it would make a decent project.

 

[Motorhead]

Some times you can just change the carburetor on the 266 some of them came with the smaller 163 tillotson,I put a 225a on mine and did a muffler mod,Very noticeable difference.If This saw already has a 224 on it then changing the carb wont help performance

 

[SawTroll]

Some times you can just change the carburetor on the 266 some of them came with the smaller 163 tillotson,I put a 225a on mine and did a muffler mod,Very noticeable difference.If This saw already has a 224 on it then changing the carb wont help performance

As this is about a 266xp (at least according to the heading), it should have the 17.5 mm HS-224. It is the 266se/sg saws made before about mid 1985 that came with the 15.9 mm HS-163 (or a similar size Walbro).

 

[SawTroll]

...

So, to the original question: Having to add the $80 carb makes this a $200 project, even with the lower price on the cylinder kit. The gain is noticeable, but not worth doing IMO if the 266 is running fine. If the 266 actually needed a top end, then it would make a decent project.

So one of the true experts did turn up!

Did you just say that the HS-224 can't be modified to work with the 272xp cylinder and intake?

 

[Motorhead]

Just in case anyone is interested in a carburetor compatable with the 272, 266, 268,61, 66, husqvarna,The aftermarket Chinese carbs work well and they are 17.5 mm.If your trying to save a buck.

 

[SawTroll]

Just in case anyone is interested in a carburetor compatable with the 272, 266, 268,61, 66, husqvarna,The aftermarket Chinese carbs work well and they are 17.5 mm.If your trying to save a buck.

Something is "double fishy" with that - first, I wouldn't trust a Chinese carb that isn't a Zama - and second, the same carb will not fit all those models without other modifications, I believe.

Also, I would feel bad about supporting Chinese "knock-off" industri.

 

[KYsawman]

This is something I am very interested in. I have a 66 model that I want to spice up a bit.

 

[Spike60]

You're in luck cause the 66 is a lot easier to do. Reason is the 66 used the same open port 50mm cylinder as the non-XP 268. So, the entire intake set up is the same. A 272XP top end just bolts right in with no other changes needed.

Ought to mention here that I cut a pick up load of wood this afternoon with a 266SE that I recently brought back to life. No mods, just a fresh piston and a carb kit. Saw ran really nice and no way I'd toss that top end for the small increase in power I'd get with a 272 P&C.

 

[Landmark]

, I wouldn't trust a Chinese carb that isn't a Zama.

U mean you trust a Zama..........

 

[KYsawman]

That is great info, the 66 is my next project to get rebuilt. Thanks for the tips.

 

[SawTroll]

U mean you trust a Zama..........

 

[danimal]

I put a 272 meteor piston and cylinder on a 266 SE ,change the intake block and put on a bigger carb and it's golden. I hogged out that cylinder something fierce.
Also I lightened up the piston. Will outrun a 372 owned by my brother-in-law that is stock.

 

[exSW]

Curiouser and curiouser. My jug looks pretty good though.