Husqvarna Model 61 Build

[Brian_42]

Hello all,
I picked up a very nice Husky 61 (1983) recently with a scorred piston. Tonight I pulled the top end and replaced with a new top end for a 268. I have the appropriate bolts ordered (carb/muffler) My questions to you pros out there are:
I plan on porting the muffler from the 61, I know if I open it up too much, I'll sacrifice torque and rpms, so how much should I open up the muffller?
On the carb, I know there's some very necessary tuning (carb from the 61), is it all with the H and L settings, or are there some other carb mods needed?
I plan on running a 24", 3/8 bar with a full chisel skip tooth chain, and I want lots of power to get through some big maple.
Any advice or guidance is much appreciated...

 

[little possum]

Good thread from Timberwolf:
http://www.arboristsite.com/chainsaw/44816.htm

To my knowledge, opening up the muffler doesnt effect the torque or RPMS majorly, just lets them breath easier.

Tuning the carb: google search (tuning, arboristsite)

 

[Brian_42]

Wow, that thread from TimberWolf is awesome. I read the beginning to the end, talk about a wealth of info, thanks for posting! As soon as some more the necessary things arrive (hardware), I'll get some pics posted as I work through this. Should be fun to complete...
Thanks again...

 

[little possum]

No problem. At least a free bump, so maybe somebody with some knowledge will stop by

 

[Cantdog]

Hello all,
I picked up a very nice Husky 61 (1983) recently with a scorred piston. Tonight I pulled the top end and replaced with a new top end for a 268. I have the appropriate bolts ordered (carb/muffler) My questions to you pros out there are:
I plan on porting the muffler from the 61, I know if I open it up too much, I'll sacrifice torque and rpms, so how much should I open up the muffller?
On the carb, I know there's some very necessary tuning (carb from the 61), is it all with the H and L settings, or are there some other carb mods needed?
I plan on running a 24", 3/8 bar with a full chisel skip tooth chain, and I want lots of power to get through some big maple.
Any advice or guidance is much appreciated...

Is your 268 cyl a Mahle or a Gillardoni? It looks to be a Mahle but I can't count the fins....if it's a Gillardoni you can get by with the 61 carb...but if it's an XP Mahle you'll be wasting the possibilities and power potential with the 61 carb..it'll run but nothing like it will with a 260A. A 254 or 260 will make it bark ...these carbs have a larger bore and flow more air/fuel and were the stock carbs for the 268XP and 272XP. Muffler are fairly open but the holes can be enlarged or another port added...there are a couple different mufflers the 61 had over the yrs...all similar but the exhaust openings were quite different.

 

[ale]

Cantdog...

you seem to have some good knowledge on this family of saws for sure.
Who makes the cylinder with the markings of a N and a $ over each other? I can't remember?
Also, is the carb off a 66..I think its a 224A the same as a 260A except for the idol screw placement?
-trying to sort out some things for a build.

 

[272super]

Cantdog...

you seem to have some good knowledge on this family of saws for sure.
Who makes the cylinder with the markings of a N and a $ over each other? I can't remember?
Also, is the carb off a 66..I think its a 224A the same as a 260A except for the idol screw placement?
-trying to sort out some things for a build.

That is a non-Mahle cylinder. Yes,224A carb is same as 260A with exception of idle adjustment.

 

[Brian_42]

Is your 268 cyl a Mahle or a Gillardoni? It looks to be a Mahle but I can't count the fins....if it's a Gillardoni you can get by with the 61 carb...but if it's an XP Mahle you'll be wasting the possibilities and power potential with the 61 carb..it'll run but nothing like it will with a 260A. A 254 or 260 will make it bark ...these carbs have a larger bore and flow more air/fuel and were the stock carbs for the 268XP and 272XP. Muffler are fairly open but the holes can be enlarged or another port added...there are a couple different mufflers the 61 had over the yrs...all similar but the exhaust openings were quite different.

It is a Mahle cylinder, and I believe it is for an XP (closed port), so I should look for a 260A, really appreciate the advice. I plan on doing the calculations to open the muffler up 85%, possilby with two ports with short cylinders, haven't started down that road yet... I thought about modifying the top cover, but also considered a different top cover. Anyhow, thanks again for all the great advice...

 

[Cantdog]

It is a Mahle cylinder, and I believe it is for an XP (closed port), so I should look for a 260A, really appreciate the advice. I plan on doing the calculations to open the muffler up 85%, possilby with two ports with short cylinders, haven't started down that road yet... I thought about modifying the top cover, but also considered a different top cover. Anyhow, thanks again for all the great advice...

Good that's the one you want.....you will also need the isolation block (intake) from a 268XP or 272XP. The bore diameter is the same as the bigger carb (224 254 260) The 224 carb would work best as the idle adjustment screw in the case of the 61 could be used. If you go with any of the others you will have to cut round topped slot in the top cover to fit the plastic adjustment guide block so you can adjust the idle as they all have a very different adjuster. Other than that they all will work. But make sure you get the intake, carb and bolts (bolts have a plastic bushing attached) that will fit your cyl. This makes a real nice saw......then.....port it!! Then you have a real nice saw that just rips!!

 

[Brian_42]

Good that's the one you want.....you will also need the isolation block (intake) from a 268XP or 272XP. The bore diameter is the same as the bigger carb (224 254 260) The 224 carb would work best as the idle adjustment screw in the case of the 61 could be used. If you go with any of the others you will have to cut round topped slot in the top cover to fit the plastic adjustment guide block so you can adjust the idle as they all have a very different adjuster. Other than that they all will work. But make sure you get the intake, carb and bolts (bolts have a plastic bushing attached) that will fit your cyl. This makes a real nice saw......then.....port it!! Then you have a real nice saw that just rips!!

Hello all,
I was considering selling my 181SE, picking up the bigger HS-260A carb for my built 61, my question: Do you guys think the model 61 with the 268 closed port top end and ported muffler will run my 32" bar? I can't get it to run correctly with the stock carb from the 61, and I'm not putting money into a kit for that carb, when the difference will be quite noticeable.... Opinions?

 

[Cantdog]

Hello all,
I was considering selling my 181SE, picking up the bigger HS-260A carb for my built 61, my question: Do you guys think the model 61 with the 268 closed port top end and ported muffler will run my 32" bar? I can't get it to run correctly with the stock carb from the 61, and I'm not putting money into a kit for that carb, when the difference will be quite noticeable.... Opinions?

Well the kit would be the same one for any of the tillotsons discussed so far...so you wouldn't be out any $$ as it could be used on a larger carb when you find one...

A 32 would be stretching it but maybe with a full skip...My 630 West Coast has a 24 full skip and it cuts fairly well...630 is 61cc closed port and runs the larger carb 225 I think... which is the same as the 224 except for the Jred choke and throttle controls. I think if I needed to run a 32 with that saw I would move up to the 272XP top end..even then I would port it...and even then I think the 181se is what you should be using for that type of work.

 

[Brian_42]

Well the kit would be the same one for any of the tillotsons discussed so far...so you wouldn't be out any $$ as it could be used on a larger carb when you find one...

A 32 would be stretching it but maybe with a full skip...My 630 West Coast has a 24 full skip and it cuts fairly well...630 is 61cc closed port and runs the larger carb 225 I think... which is the same as the 224 except for the Jred choke and throttle controls. I think if I needed to run a 32 with that saw I would move up to the 272XP top end..even then I would port it...and even then I think the 181se is what you should be using for that type of work.

I finally got back into the 61 a little, brushed off the dust, pulled it a little, started on the third pull, but won't run consistently... Ordered the 260A carb for it last night, may want to keep it when I'm finished with it, thinking seriously about thinning the herd a little...

 

[Brian_42]

I installed the HS260A carb today, she really makes some noise with this installed. I did some test cuts on some large seasoned maple, ripping through it with the bar burried in it, lots of power. I have the saw tuned by ear, and it runs very, very, very, strong. Planning a trip to the woods to run her through the paces.
Thanks again to everyone and the suggestions, could not have done it without you. Hope everyone has a great weekend.

 

[cambl]

Cantdog

Did the later (1995, Slovenia) 61s all have open transfer ports or were some closed? I just found a really clean one and haven't pulled it apart yet.

Thanks.

 

[272super]

Cantdog

Did the later (1995, Slovenia) 61s all have open transfer ports or were some closed? I just found a really clean one and haven't pulled it apart yet.

Thanks.

I've never seen a closed port 61. I'm really not sure if they exist,but I don't think so. The 162 was closed port and came just before the 61, so parts interchange.

 

[Cantdog]

Cantdog

Did the later (1995, Slovenia) 61s all have open transfer ports or were some closed? I just found a really clean one and haven't pulled it apart yet.

Thanks.

To tell you the thruth...I don't know...all the 61s I have ever seen were open port but I have never had one of the latest versions. I have read someone saying something about a closed port 61...but you can read anything. If they did have a closed port version then it would be more or less exactly the same as the 630/630 Super/630 Super II but again I have never seen anything to indicate that they did....