MS661 Love/Hate

[Adirondackstihl]

OK, I stand corrected. You are one whale of a mechanic and your dealer is in a class by himself. If you check the service manual on the MS661, the IM replacement compared to the MS660 and any other comparable Stihl saw is different and far more complex.

I'm not claiming to be some super hero sir.
I fail to see how changing the coil on the 661 was any different than any other saw I've done?
Are you simply referencing the manual and not speaking from experience? Or have you changed one yourself?

& YES.....Cobby08 is in a league of his own

 

[jmssaws]

Every 661 I've had a coil off of was held down with 2 bolts just like a 660 coil.
I see no difference between the 2

 

[CR500]

Just bought one with fabulous compression and power. Heckuva saw. Two thumbs up on this vintage masterpiece. A logger who just bought three new MS661's and paid trough the nose tried my 064 out. He told me, "Edwin, don't you dare sell this saw."

My 064 is starting to become my go to saw. With a Sugi 24" it is like a deadly piece of art in the woods...I love it

 

[Adirondackstihl]

Every 661 I've had a coil off of was held down with 2 bolts just like a 660 coil.
I see no difference between the 2

Perzactly

 

[hseII]

I changed my ignition module in 10min.
I fail to see how it was a bear?
Oh BTW....I have the best dealer and he sent me the updated coil at no cost, along with a solenoid just in case

[emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

 

[hseII]

I'm not claiming to be some super hero sir.
I fail to see how changing the coil on the 661 was any different than any other saw I've done?
Are you simply referencing the manual and not speaking from experience? Or have you changed one yourself?

& YES.....Cobby08 is in a league of his own

[emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

SupaChaun

 

[angelo c]

You boys just never ran a sawmikazed hacksaws ms390.

You don't know what power is...yet.

thought you were "Barack O 362 Bamma"

 

[Magnumitis]

Every 661 I've had a coil off of was held down with 2 bolts just like a 660 coil.
I see no difference between the 2

I do.

It's 1

 

[hseII]

I do.

It's 1

What is an "A" for $400, Alex?

 

[Cobby08]

[emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

He's a douche...

 

[Funky sawman]

Service manual I have says that a special part from Stihl is needed to check for a spark. Simple jumper wire won't work. Once the plug is out, the spark is disengaged. I've already run into this on a 661 C. What am I missing? Please advise.

Stihl just says that to protect the module. If you crank over the saw with no plug and switch on, it could damage the module cause there is nowere for the spark energy to go. The special tester will ground out if the spark gap is too great during testing. This applies to all newer electronic ignitions.
As for serviceability, the 661 i thought was easier to take apart than a 660. Heck had mine tore down on a daily basis, out in the brush too.

 

[Adirondackstihl]

Service manual I have.

Is it in Engrish?

 

[huskyboy]

Can't you ground sparkplug on cylinder to check spark? Spark plug is screwed into cylinder anyway right??? I check my other saws this way.

 

[Magnumitis]

Stihl just says that to protect the module. If you crank over the saw with no plug and switch on, it could damage the module cause there is nowere for the spark energy to go. The special tester will ground out if the spark gap is too great during testing. This applies to all newer electronic ignitions.
As for serviceability, the 661 i thought was easier to take apart than a 660. Heck had mine tore down on a daily basis, out in the brush too.

So what steps do you take to check compression?

 

[Funky sawman]

I did a week long gig, sawen strip with the 661, sawen partner came over cause he couldn't hear me sawin for quite a spell, the look in his eyes was priceless when he seen that saw without the starter cover, b+c and carb all torn apart on the stump of a pine i just fell. I was expermenting with inlet needle settings lol. And checking the wiring for shorts and rubs. And yes i do pack a small tool kit in the brush, a t25, t27, pliers, scrench and a 8mm nut driver and last a small flat blade screwdriver

 

[Funky sawman]

So what steps do you take to check compression?

Engine in off position

 

[Cigmaker]

Is it in Engrish?

Yes please press 9 for English as we've slipped down in importance yet still are a go to destination.

 

[stihlman441]

It seems to me that in my conversations and from the comments made in this thread, most of the hate comes from guys using 661's in logging/tree service commercial applications.
I am sure there are plenty out there that love them also but it seems that the drama that the 661 can exhibit is not everyone's cup of tea.

Part of the power argument is hard for you guys in the states to compare to what we have to deal with timber wise here in Oz.
Point 6, if I put anything over a 7 pin sprocket on a saw here, it doesn't always cut faster. I just get more dust and the saw chatters so bad it breaks things. The timber is to hard for the increased chain speed and it just bounces and skips through, unable to shave the timber out.

I think the saw I am going to be handed is a dud saw with issues but considering that people in the know consider a 70cc their limbing saw in Australia has to say something. This guy uses 660's as his climbing saws when dealing with big Aussie eucalyptus

I am going to an aussie GTG in May and they will have pine which I have never cut. I cant wait to see hat its like.





Well said there champ
Where is this Aussie GTG in MAY ?.

 

[Moparmyway]

I've got 066/660/661

There really isn't an apples to apples comparison.

My 661 has been dead nutz since day 1. Nothing but cutting power, smoothe and strong....... all day long. 25:1 FTW !!

Hands down, 661 any day

 

[Brewz]

I have the saw now and apparently it was one of the first saws when they were released.

I pulled the top cover off and found the top and back of the cylinder coated in unburnt 2 stroke oil.

Pulled the cylinder off and everything looks fine but the oil is only on the back around the intake boot and spread up and over the top?

It's wet around the intake


And on top. Spark plug and decomp are fine, no leaks


Front is dry


And I believe these guys make good cylinders?