Just purchased a 661, have a 660 did I do the right thing?

[RyeThomas]

i can try to get a picture of mine, the studs don't protrude out much if any. The captive bar nuts seem to have a thread on the inside (meaning in the flange before the nut) so they grab. Standard nut won't pic it up, and the 661 cover is raised around the stud area.
I mean it's a Stihl mount Stihl ES bar that came off my 660.

I thought it would be a simple fix as well, cut the captive run a standard. Done, but not so much.

 

[RyeThomas]

 

[RyeThomas]

And that's the rear one tight, no protruding threads, cover is tight on the case, bar is tight in the unit

 

[RyeThomas]

This is my 660, much more thread

 

[RyeThomas]

So the question remains what the heck?
These studs are too short with the cover being this thick.
Front stud is new from the dealer ms661 number, I measured vs studs on the 660 they are the same

 

[Deets066]

Did you try the 660 cover on the 661?

 

[RyeThomas]

Yeah it fits, we'll sort of . The cover is thinner so while it fits you bottom out the threads on the stud but the bar is still loose, very loose.

 

[RyeThomas]

Yes sir. I'm just a little concerned even lined up how little thread seems to grab. I made a mistake, I just feel their is no room for error. I would prefer a longer stud that's all.

I just figured I'd try the 660 cover since I have it and as stated it doesn't work.

 

[RyeThomas]

If that looks about right to you guys who own one then I'm good, it's just new to me and I don't want to mess it up. Well any more so, lol

The wider cover would explain how I thru wood chips all the way out to the street when I briefly tested her out.

 

[rogue60]

View attachment 56468

I see what you mean I'd be taking that saw back to the dealer blind freddy could see something is wrong the studs should be close to level to the outer edge of the nut yours looks to be half way down in the captive nut have a look at the rear nut and that's done up. Something is not right studs are too short or your bar is a half inch thick! lol. I'm going with studs are too short myself take it back to the dealer.

 

[rogue60]

The 661 is a new design. The clutch cover is wider to allow for better chip flow. Why would you expect a 660 cover to fit? There is nothing wrong with the captive bar nuts. The same result could have happened had you not lined up your roller to spike hole on a 660.

yeah we know all that have a look at his pics studs are too short something is wrong.

 

[RyeThomas]

Alright well I guess I'll take it by the dealer next week.
They also have a new 661 in stock (or did) so I'll be able to see and show them the difference.
Im not the brightest but at the same time this isn't rocket surgery.

 

[rogue60]

Alright well I guess I'll take it by the dealer next week.
They also have a new 661 in stock (or did) so I'll be able to see and show them the difference.
Im not the brightest but at the same time this isn't rocket surgery.

Well good thing you posted about it you knew something was up it wouldn't be hard to strip the threads with it like that very odd.
While you are at the dealers ask when are they getting rid of that silly shoulder on the the bottom of the captive nuts it stops you getting a good grip with the scrench and slips off so easy if its not lined up dead on only have to do that a few times and the nuts rounded off and makes it even harder its a PITA lol.
Anyway good luck with the saw don't forget to tell us what the say about it.

 

[maulhead]

The reason your studs don't stick out far when you have the 660 cover on your 661, is that your 660 is the older style one with the small shoulder studs. Later 660's have a larger shoulder on the studs and the covers have a larger hole on the back side to acomidate the larger shouldered studs.

Post a pic of the back side of your 660 cover. Then note the back side of redbulls 660 cover in his video. You'll see the larger tapered holes.

Your 661 studs are fine and not too short.

 

[RyeThomas]

Ok so I looked around and for some unknown reason in my misc bin of parts I have an old 660 cover and that's what I tried. So I pulled my 660 cover and low and behold it's the new style and fits.
Below from L to R
661/660 my newer style/660 I have no clue why I have this

 

[RyeThomas]

So thanks now I see the larger holes. So I guess the question is, is it ok to run the 660 cover on the 661?
I fully plan on getting the 661 cover back in order with the captive bar nut I ordered. I'm still planning on going to the dealer and looking at theirs as well.

 

[RyeThomas]

Learning is occurring albeit pain full and slow, thanks Gents.

 

[mdavlee]

I think in Canada they went away from the captive nuts after cases were being cracked when they pinched bars and bent them.

 

[RyeThomas]

I just read a thread on that, thanks for the heads up.

I may just order a NWP west coast cover and use the standard nuts. Seems only new saws come with an updated cover and according to the thread you can't just purchase the cover. I can't afford a $1300 cover, lol.

 

[mdavlee]

I'm going to ask my dealer when I get home. He usually will show me all the stuff for updates.