Husqvarna 268 & 266XP

[Jason280]

Back in June, I picked up a Husqvarna 266XP to use as a dedicated 20" saw (and to sort of replace a Stihl 038AV Super I didn't fill like tearing apart). It was in really good shape, with close to 180psi compression and no scoring on the intake/exhaust side of the piston.

https://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/husqvarna-266xp-vs-stihl-038av-super.333128/

I haven't been able to use it much at all, but I had considered sending it off to be ported (to see how closely it would match up with my 372XP). I've always been a fan of the 60 series of Husqvarna saws, as the first "real" saws I ever bought were a couple 61's.

As luck would have it, I came across another deal yesterday. Local pawn shop had a dirty 268, which I was able to get cheeeeap. I don't like buying saws I can't pull the muffler on, but this one cranked easily and pulled pretty well through a 6x6 piece of wood. Got it home, and was able to get it cleaned up. Compression was similar to the 266XP, close to 180psi. It still needs a new chain, and I may swap out the hardnose bar, but looks to be in pretty good shape.

What are the major differences between the 268 & 268XP, and how do they compare with the 266XP?

 

[Jason280]

 

[Jason280]

 

[Jason280]

A few pics with the 266XP...

 

[82F100SWB]

The 268 is an open port saw, same cylinder as the 66. The 268xp is closed port like the 266, but there are porting differences as well as the filter/carb. All are the same displacement.

 

[Jason280]

Were the 268XP's the closed port version of the 268?

 

[Oldsawnut]

This should be in the you suck thread Nice saws... They should be pretty close in power with your 372 already if they are all stock.. Torque wise for sure.

 

[82F100SWB]

Were the 268XP's the closed port version of the 268?

Indeed they were. I haven't actually had a jug in hand, but apparently they had larger transfers than the 266 as well as the better intake tract which is were the extra .3hp came from. The open port 268 is .2hp less than the 266. The 266 spec is 4.5hp

 

[Jason280]

Does that limit how much porting would potentially wake up the saw?

 

[82F100SWB]

There are still gains to be had with porting, and an open port cylinder is much easier to address the transfers on, however, that saw would be a good candidate for a 272 top end.

 

[Jason280]

Would it also require a carb swap, or just the piston & cylinder kit?

 

[82F100SWB]

Piston and cylinder only. Pretty sure the 268/272 use the same intake block.
I have used Hyway's Nikasil Popup setup a couple times on 266's with good success.

 

[82F100SWB]

You definitely have the right block, and you will have those screws already too. Those parts are waiting on me to build another 266/272 hybrid.

 

[Czed]

I would just get the 266 ported
The 266 was always pretty much a hot rod stock
Ported they are excellent.
It's about all I use now and I have ported
372s and 2172s also
I run 24" in hardwood.

 

[Jason280]

Now I don't know what to do....seems like the effort may be better spent on the 266XP. That being said, looks like I can get a 272 top end kit for about $135.

Decisions, decisions....

 

[Huskybill]

My stock 266SE cut awesome with the govenor plugged with a 8 pin rim. I was just looking at my 266SE and 268 tonight. I purchased a 268 in mint condition. The stop switch was broken and had three detents. The first two detents on the switch were off. The last detents was on. I guess that’s why the PO sold it. The saw is like new.

 

[Jason280]

Oddly enough, the kill switch is bad on this one...but that's a cheap fix.

 

[82F100SWB]

Being an XP your 266 should have the best of the three cylinders they ran. If anything I would put a 268xp style piston in it as that will feed the transfers better, certainly could have it ported, but they run very good stock. If I had those two I would 272 the 268 and grind on it.
But I have I think 8 266's and a couple 61's so I build those instead... LOL


I buy my top end kits direct from Hyway.
http://www.hywayparts.com/product-p/ck000053-p.htm

They have a nice 268 popup piston that goes right in a 266 as well.
I may have to raise the exhaust on this one and bleed off some of the compression... Have to get it out and run a few tanks through it to see(266 cylinder with 268 popup):

 

[Jason280]

I actually have an older 61 with the metal flag, but its been pretty much retired.

 

[Jason280]

I buy my top end kits direct from Hyway.
http://www.hywayparts.com/product-p/ck000053-p.htm

How do the Hyway sets compare with the Meteor kits?