Thanks for the add

[streetracer101]

Thanks adding me to the forum. We just bought some land in western CO and I am slowly starting some fire mitigation/firewood collection on it. I stumbled into this group looking for a replacement for my Stihl 261 that somehow grenaded itself. Now I've realized there's a whole world of chainsaws and mods outside of what my local Ace HW sells. Looking forward to adding a few (looking at something bigger 60+ cc) and learning from the group.

 

[Ronaldo]

Good to have you. Sorry to hear of your 261, those are great saws.

 

[ammoaddict]

Thanks adding me to the forum. We just bought some land in western CO and I am slowly starting some fire mitigation/firewood collection on it. I stumbled into this group looking for a replacement for my Stihl 261 that somehow grenaded itself. Now I've realized there's a whole world of chainsaws and mods outside of what my local Ace HW sells. Looking forward to adding a few (looking at something bigger 60+ cc) and learning from the group.

Welcome. Be careful, it's addictive.

 

[streetracer101]

Welcome. Be careful, it's addictive.

Yeah, but it seems cheaper than custom knives, guns and cars, so that is a plus.

 

[streetracer101]

Good to have you. Sorry to hear of your 261, those are great saws.

Yeah, at a minimum, it was going to need crankshaft bearings and the piston and cylinder were scored. So now I have a saw in parts and a need for something bigger/more fun.

 

[Czed]

Yeah, at a minimum, it was going to need crankshaft bearings and the piston and cylinder were scored. So now I have a saw in parts and a need for something bigger/more fun.

A ported 372 is what you need

 

[streetracer101]

A ported 372 is what you need

I like the idea. Got one for sale?

 

[FederalQ]

Welcome and rest assured your 261 is not the first one to grenade. I know of 2 people that this has happened to and on relatively new units.

 

[streetracer101]

Welcome and rest assured your 261 is not the first one to grenade. I know of 2 people that this has happened to and on relatively new units.

Yeah, I read several horror stories after mine died. It makes me wonder if it is due to planned obsolesce on the part of Stihl, or a bad design. I've since picked up a 26 and a 260 and I hope they last longer. I plan to mod at least one and then add one or two with more power.

 

[OnlyStihl]

I'd get another 261. Great saws. Also look at the ms400. Same as the 261 but can pull a 24" B&C with ease.

 

[streetracer101]

I'd get another 261. Great saws. Also look at the ms400. Same as the 261 but can pull a 24" B&C with ease.

I like the idea of a ms400 over a 261 if I can get a fair price.

 

[hacskaroly]

Yeah, at a minimum, it was going to need crankshaft bearings and the piston and cylinder were scored

Do you have any pictures of the damage...we like (really like!!) to see what happened! I bought my 261 from a person who straight gassed it right off the bat. Got so hot the muffler turned blue. I should have changed the oil seals...but at the time that was more than I had taken on before. Running it recently and realized I have an air lean on one of the seals....so time to replace them, might even split the case and change the bearings depending on how they look.

You should look at this as an opportunity to dive in and replace the bearings (oil seals too) and then the piston and cylinder. With aftermarket parts you are looking at about $75 bucks. I just changed the bearings on my Husky 272 and 2100 and a MS 391. I was intimidated by them, but now feel more confident.

THE DUKE'S NIKASIL COATED PISTON AND CYLINDER KIT FITS STIHL MS261 1141 020 1200 44.7MM - $60.00

THE DUKE'S CRANK BEARING AND SEAL SET FITS STIHL 024 026 MS260 MS261 MS240 - $14.00

I am waiting for Duke's to get their performance piston back in stock, one for my MS 261 and one for my Husky 2100. I just put one the performance pistons in a friend's 261 after honing their cylinder (aluminum transfer from a cold seizure) and it is running great, I really like those pistons and their price too!!

 

[streetracer101]

Do you have any pictures of the damage...we like (really like!!) to see what happened! I bought my 261 from a person who straight gassed it right off the bat. Got so hot the muffler turned blue. I should have changed the oil seals...but at the time that was more than I had taken on before. Running it recently and realized I have an air lean on one of the seals....so time to replace them, might even split the case and change the bearings depending on how they look.

You should look at this as an opportunity to dive in and replace the bearings (oil seals too) and then the piston and cylinder. With aftermarket parts you are looking at about $75 bucks. I just changed the bearings on my Husky 272 and 2100 and a MS 391. I was intimidated by them, but now feel more confident.

THE DUKE'S NIKASIL COATED PISTON AND CYLINDER KIT FITS STIHL MS261 1141 020 1200 44.7MM - $60.00

THE DUKE'S CRANK BEARING AND SEAL SET FITS STIHL 024 026 MS260 MS261 MS240 - $14.00

I am waiting for Duke's to get their performance piston back in stock, one for my MS 261 and one for my Husky 2100. I just put one the performance pistons in a friend's 261 after honing their cylinder (aluminum transfer from a cold seizure) and it is running great, I really like those pistons and their price too!!

I can definitely take some pics tomorrow. My concern is that the crankshaft is shot too and the consensus on aftermarket parts in this group seems mixed at best.

 

[hacskaroly]

I can definitely take some pics tomorrow. My concern is that the crankshaft is shot too and the consensus on aftermarket parts in this group seems mixed at best.

Yes, I agree, what you get off of Amazon is a crap-shoot, some good, some bad. I have been really happy with everything I have purchased from Duke's, even carbs. If something gets messed up in the order, they are really quick to make it right!

 

[Cat 525]

Welcome to the nuthouse!

 

[ammoaddict]

Yeah, I read several horror stories after mine died. It makes me wonder if it is due to planned obsolesce on the part of Stihl, or a bad design. I've since picked up a 26 and a 260 and I hope they last longer. I plan to mod at least one and then add one or two with more power.

It's just typical stihl. Get you a Husqvarna or an echo.

 

[streetracer101]

It's just typical stihl. Get you a Husqvarna or an echo.

lol. I’m certainly not a brand loyalist.

 

[ammoaddict]

lol. I’m certainly not a brand loyalist.

Me either. I have stihl. Husqvarna, dolmar, echo, poulan and Chinese clones. But I like Husqvarna best and stihl the least.

 

[hacskaroly]

I’m certainly not a brand loyalist.

Me neither, I'm a chainsaw enthusiast/loyalist...lol

 

[streetracer101]

Me either. I have stihl. Husqvarna, dolmar, echo, poulan and Chinese clones. But I like Husqvarna best and stihl the least.

The Echo pro saws without all the computers are particularly interesting.