Stihl 026 - Adding a decompression valve

[Benwa]

I know this HAS to have been done before, but I can't find anything when searching. An elderly friend has a beloved black lever 026. It is getting too hard to start by "just a bit" he says. He'd like to swap on a ms260 cylinder with the decomp. Problem is, they're pushing close to $200 for oem jug & slug. So, question is, have any of you added a decomp valve to an old non-decomp 026 cylinder? I know "an amount" of the top fin(s) will have to be machined and a hole drilled/tapped. I'm looking for any pointers if you've done this before, more so if you have any "this won't work because....." advice. Anyway, I can always swap a cylinder, but for $200, I don't see why I couldn't add a valve. I still have to pull the cylinder to see if it's a hemi head or D shaped Combustion chamber, although I believe it's D shaped. Anyway, any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Benwa]

I don't have a ms260 on hand or I'd compare. Not sure if the ms260 cyl. has more "meat" on the cylinder where the decomp is or if it's the same as the older 026 just with a spot milled in for the decomp.

 

[PA Dan]

Lots of jugs out there maybe trade for one with a decomp?

 

[Maintenance Chief]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3342257917...0s%2FBTiedEzAA%3D%3D|ampid:PL_CLK|clp:2332490

 

[Benwa]

@Maintenance Chief Do you have personal experience with these by chance? I'm a die hard oem guy outside of pistons. Never used aftermarket cylinders before.

 

[Duane(Pa)]

@drf256

 

[Wonkydonkey]

I recon someone may just trade you a 260 jug & slug.

put a wanted add up, with a bit of info..

 

[Benwa]

I recon someone may just trade you a 260 jug & slug.

put a wanted add up, with a bit of info..

10-4

 

[Maintenance Chief]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/334225791718?_trkparms=amclksrc=ITM&aid=1110006&algo=HOMESPLICE.SIM&ao=1&asc=20190917065201&meid=a945cf029cb749e6937bb2575c7c4b37&pid=100935&rk=1&rkt=12&sd=173149902704&itm=334225791718&pmt=1&noa=0&pg=2332490&algv=SimplAMLv9PairwiseUnbiasedWebCpr08MlcGreedyV3&brand=Hyway&_trksid=p2332490.c100935.m2460&amdata=cksum:334225791718a945cf029cb749e6937bb2575c7c4b37|enc:AQAGAAACEBLbZrQHWYMBjC1f2u%2FW013ZHdKw0Q9bjayPjDvb3%2FC8GQcl3cht%2Bj%2BhRp%2Fq9f1pJBdNWbPNWvGTuFpdg6p5TCySb8iPrlzGUK7QMerkUqTnvbwQ7LjwKJQLH5noeYNPbW1tqGUrr%2F%2B6hO0xNMZ34k2rDT4Si0jByNDIqk0zFrJEERQoFQ5E6Xf3g7aKD3LP7tVHJJweIt7zwadiapIKfQGjemyoIW%2BQHXrxPUr2hZpY%2Fam4HeFcglUTC6JLN6On6T4%2FLGvaKLEwTX6ihpHC00f1j%2BJFn3swf0nzSLVbfjc8PzZQp2osRo4qHUCcEq9b5EwOJJk0NJFZJvi2OjTkQsQWMVmFdI5UeHfJtOvxX0dWmqPNQpvovmBOnMI8BUHoIdscDUsrTZ42C1qucz2LqzjutxAsoiaf49hUOSVcXcWPShpqcwfwtP5OKXeIN%2BgINwfWjCfESOOxQKHCG3NGh693fLbiuVs086dqnK9FORq%2B724fdSZ0zBah9c4V%2FhDfiZpKUQSH2i20wDhT1Tj4hOrgp2NBBt25k50CxtF20riQX66VLiCWnKGw7w4blT%2FWsvT68eTcyFZ6wj%2FI6qFgObcNHFYkiYSisQD%2BoxKlhvla7Qq4WaFV4pVWQQbdwydo3v4xyblpiCOICJ09B9x7uo%2BiYhTvLswJaxxddsBCjQF95FnokAlR2D0s%2FBTiedEzAA%3D%3D|ampidL_CLK|clp:2332490

I don't with these tink coated ones but @Ronie did a 660 one and it looked very good out of the box, and The Duke is a site guy so the risk is minimal.

 

[drf256]

Swap out jug. Thats gonna be a hemi red lever chamber. Its desirable.

I have plenty of jugs, unsure if I have a 44mm decomp. I do have a 44.7 and piston.

We could make a deal if u want, but you could also sell that P&C and buy that $200 jug when u add up shipping, etc...

PM me if you want, we can chat.

 

[Fifelaker]

Put a rescue handle on it and call it a success.

 

[Al Smith]

What he said --above

 

[Matt Ellerbee]

Something like this? I don't have the top cover to match.

 

[Benwa]

Swap out jug. Thats gonna be a hemi red lever chamber. Its desirable.

I have plenty of jugs, unsure if I have a 44mm decomp. I do have a 44.7 and piston.

We could make a deal if u want, but you could also sell that P&C and buy that $200 jug when u add up shipping, etc...

PM me if you want, we can chat.

I'll ask him if that's something he's interested in. Much appreciated. I'll be in touch one way or another. Thanks

 

[drf256]

Upon further review, that’s not a red lever jug. It’s a K$ jug, I’m unsure about chamber shape.

 

[Benwa]

Upon further review, that’s not a red lever jug. It’s a K$ jug, I’m unsure about chamber shape.

Yeah, I've only been into two black lever 026's, all the rest I've had have been red lever. Both the black lever saws had a D shaped chamber instead of the hemi. Not sure if ALL black levers had this or if they crossed over. Not sure of this one. I'll find out soon enough

 

[Matt Ellerbee]

@Benwa I will swap you cylinders if you want, if it will help out your buddy. I'll try and get some pics this weekend.

 

[Benwa]

@Benwa I will swap you cylinders if you want, if it will help out your buddy. I'll try and get some pics this weekend.

Man you guys are the best! I'm still waiting to hear back from him if it's something he'd like to do. I can't imagine he wouldn't, but I'll send you a PM when I hear from him. Thanks so much.

 

[BobbyC]

Put a rescue handle on it and call it a success.

What is a "rescue handle"?

Thanks!

 

[Wonkydonkey]

What is a "rescue handle"?

Thanks!

I believe it’s either a elasto start er handle, or a D Handle that they put on bigger saw so it don’t get ripped off/out your fingers. Most probably the latter thou