Stihl 026/260 Case Swapping

[landlubber]

Hello,
I'm a new member, first post.

I purchased a collection of 026/260 saws in various forms of completeness and condition. I'm trying to identify the cases as 026 or 260. All saws that had cylinders on them are 40mm. Is there a serial number break between the 026 and 260? Some of the cases have the adjustable oiler markings on the case but non-adjustable oilers installed. I hope to make a couple of saws for myself and a neighbor.

Additionally, is there any harm in swapping cranks and case halves? Some cases have damage (bar nuts pulled through case, etc) Can I swap a left and right case half or are they defined as a set? The IPL's show the parts numbers as the same.

Thank you.
LB

 

[redline4]

Biggest thing to watch for that I know of when matching the cases up is that the deck surface the jug bolts to is flat across between the halves when bolted together.
My 046 started life as a box of random bits and pieces from all over the country.

 

[RI Chevy]

Welcome to the forum. Posting some photos may help.
Some of the 026s had fixed oilers, 260 PROs had adjustable oilers. oilers can be swapped. 026s had 44mm pistons. 260s had 44.7mm pistons.
260s usually had the snorkle carbs and different rear covers.
I am not sure about the internal part swapping. Other more knowledge members will chime in I'm sure...

 

[PA Dan]

026 used screw caps and 260 used flippy caps. Cranks are the same.

 

[landlubber]

026 used screw caps and 260 used flippy caps. Cranks are the same.

Thank you. The caps were all removed and I didn't think to check the oil fill hole.

The deck being flat was also a good comment, I appreciate the feedback folks. I'll mix and match and if I see any issues on the deck I'll proceed with caution.
LB

 

[stihl_head1982]

Hello,
I'm a new member, first post.

I purchased a collection of 026/260 saws in various forms of completeness and condition. I'm trying to identify the cases as 026 or 260. All saws that had cylinders on them are 40mm. Is there a serial number break between the 026 and 260? Some of the cases have the adjustable oiler markings on the case but non-adjustable oilers installed. I hope to make a couple of saws for myself and a neighbor.

Additionally, is there any harm in swapping cranks and case halves? Some cases have damage (bar nuts pulled through case, etc) Can I swap a left and right case half or are they defined as a set? The IPL's show the parts numbers as the same.

Thank you.
LB

As already stated there are a few key differences in these cases. A quick way to identify the 026 crankcase is the flat appearance of the oil cap area. A quick way to identify the crankcase of the MS260 is the raised portion around the oil cap area. The cylinders however should be 44mm or with the later MS260 in some generation saws a 44.7mm. Stihl started making the adjustable oiler cases (cut out and bottom markings on the PTO side) though not all of these came with adjustable oilers. Really there should be no harm in swapping cranks or case halves. The PTO side of these two saws in question is essentially the same. So if you take a Stihl 026 clutch side case and put it with an MS260 flywheel side case you will essentially have a MS260 saw case. In my opinion the adjustable oiler is no more efficient than the manual oiler. The manual oiler on these saws produces plenty of oil to lube the bar. The later 026 pro had the adjustable oiler as did the MS260 pro. For me I prefer the 026 cases and tank -- I like the screw in caps over the flip caps, just my preference.
All MS260's did not have a decomp or an adjustable oiler.