Saw builders chime in.

[ZERO]

When a builder knows what they are doing. @Stump Shot

We have yet to have a bad day in 6 years of hard use ownership.

20" of pure fun.

 

[tree monkey]

chiming in

 

[sawmikaze]

I think we're lucky these days to have the selection we have available to choose from - I've had several good running 026s through the years, and a great ported 545 MK I that I gave to an arborist buddy. I've not run the 550 MK I or II but I think I would go for one of those if I were after a good 50cc unit with the best anti-vibe.

Is unit the new slang for a chainthaw ?

 

[Sloughfoot]

I would think parts are starting to dry up for the 026/260 too? I have heard this is the case for the Stihl 044/440.

044 parts are getting scarce for sure. Plenty of 026 parts.

 

[Fabulous]

I need to know about these forgotten flow tricks. Psyko SS, Insan-o, or Torque Tweaked? Give me that zip kit baby.

 

[Ketchup]

Because the new stuff is better in every way. The ms260 was a turd in its day and a bit of a project saw. Most needed the carb replaced with a WT194 and a muffler mod to even run right. The air filter is garbage and leaks around the choke shaft along with being very restrictive. The AV is typical rubber crap of Stihls of that era. Parts will be drying up soon, if not already.
I just cant see porting one at this point.

I never liked how the domed piston affected the porting either.

There tons of 026 and 260 out there though. Builder saws are cheap and resale value is good because they say Stihl. It’s not a saw I want for myself, but not a bad one to flip. I’m kind of fond of the look of the square tops.

55 is in a similar category, with fewer design flaws. The closed port cylinders are hard to find, but all the other parts are abundant. Unfortunately they don’t bring much money outside of Husky country

Both will get work done, but I run a saw enough that I want the easiest to operate with more modern design.

 

[Sloughfoot]

The dome on oem 026 pistons is relatively slight. On Meteors it's significant. Both come off easy enough.

 

[Duane(Pa)]

So, Echo 501P/4910's were mentioned at the start of this hear thread. It has to be said that they need ported to even be considered. When they come out of the box, they are weak. The transformation after port work is eye popping. Sniff around on youtube and you will see. Tree service guy brought his work saws to Randy's and kicked some serious ass in the cants. Pretty impressive...

 

[Fabulous]

So, Echo 501P/4910's were mentioned at the start of this hear thread. It has to be said that they need ported to even be considered. When they come out of the box, they are weak. The transformation after port work is eye popping. Sniff around on youtube and you will see. Tree service guy brought his work saws to Randy's and kicked some serious ass in the cants. Pretty impressive...

There is a fellow on utube that does wonders with them , tho if they would last long in the woods cutting at 14000 rpm in the cut ! Chuck Crisco iirc