Stihl 661's

[Rich Fife]

We have tge 2 extremes... brand spanking new and not running.
The new saw... I did a conservative build, no timing advance etc.
The saw that doesn't run... well, I have 2 cylinders that I can tinker with. It'll be a complete breakdown and build-up.

I think I'm gonna turn it up a bit.

 

[Rich Fife]

We salvaged what we could from the broken case... saved the bearings and seals for the part numbers... sooo, maybe tomorrow I'll breakdown the other saw.

 

[drf256]

Where is the case broken? Don’t toss it yet.

 

[jacob j.]

Where is the case broken? Don’t toss it yet.

Looks like it's busted out on the flywheel side. I think I have a good flywheel side case half for 661 @Rich Fife

 

[Rich Fife]

Both sides are pretty busted... mainly the bottoms.
If you have a case that you're willing to get rid of I'm definitely interested and would be greatful.

 

[Rich Fife]

Looks like it's busted out on the flywheel side. I think I have a good flywheel side case half for 661 @Rich Fife

Yessir. The case side is busted as well. It's literally hanging on by a small section.
I'm definitely interested in the case half.

 

[jacob j.]

Yessir. The case side is busted as well. It's literally hanging on by a small section.
I'm definitely interested in the case half.

Ok - I got both sides and you can have them for whatever you need. The PTO side is cracked through the bar pad but may be repairable. Flywheel side seems in good shape.

I'm gone for two weeks for work-related training but can send them when I get back.

 

[huskihl]

The fw side case is reasonably available used. Clutch sides are more rare as the upper av loop or the bar pad is usually cracked

 

[Moparmyway]

Ok - I got both sides and you can have them for whatever you need. The PTO side is cracked through the bar pad but may be repairable. Flywheel side seems in good shape.

I'm gone for two weeks for work-related training but can send them when I get back.

Would you be able to get pictures of the damage to the bar pad ?

 

[Rich Fife]

Ok - I got both sides and you can have them for whatever you need. The PTO side is cracked through the bar pad but may be repairable. Flywheel side seems in good shape.

I'm gone for two weeks for work-related training but can send them when I get back.

I'm 100% interested. Thank you.

 

[Rich Fife]

The fw side case is reasonably available used. Clutch sides are more rare as the upper av loop or the bar pad is usually cracked

What do you think makes them crack?

 

[huskihl]

What do you think makes them crack?

They are too thin to be yanking on and using the bar to pry out the face cut wedge

 

[Rich Fife]

They are too thin to be yanking on and using the bar to pry out the face cut wedge

Makes sense... but, like anything, there comes a point where lighter isn't always better. Lol and I'm going to assume this is one of those scenarios.

 

[jacob j.]

They are too thin to be yanking on and using the bar to pry out the face cut wedge

Makes sense... but, like anything, there comes a point where lighter isn't always better. Lol and I'm going to assume this is one of those scenarios.

The 661 is a great saw but way too flimsy. A guy I used to cut with also said that if you sit a 661 on a log to take a break, and the saw rolls over and lands on the air filter cover - it breaks the nub off the filter base where the cover mounts and your day is over unless you have another filter base in the truck. The filter base is about $39 new at a dealer.

 

[BonScott46]

Didn’t Stihl add more material to the bar pad area to address the cracking issue?

 

[drf256]

That’s pretty busted up. Not familiar with the case on the model. I guess they went too far with the weight savings.

If you have the parts that cracked off of it, the case could be fixed. Probably not worth the time though.

 

[Loony661]

Didn’t Stihl add more material to the bar pad area to address the cracking issue?

Yes. The early saws are the ones susceptible to cracking. Not sure what year/serial # they made the change, but they increased the strength after a significant amount of case failures on the 661’s.

 

[Rich Fife]

Yes. The early saws are the ones susceptible to cracking. Not sure what year/serial # they made the change, but they increased the strength after a significant amount of case failures on the 661’s.

The saw that I'll be rebuilding is an Early model.... I'll have to thoroughly check it over. All great info guys. Thanks.

 

[Gearshifter]

What are your thoughts on these saws ? I'm thinking of buying a 2nd hand saw online and fixing it up myself

 

[markds2]

What are your thoughts on these saws ? I'm thinking of buying a 2nd hand saw online and fixing it up myself

They're OK, definately not as reliable as the old MS660. Just need to know what the issues are and check accordingly.