MS260 pro convert from .325 to 3/8?

[bulletpruf]

18" with 3/8 here on my 026. Muffler mod, base gasket delete, fresh rebuild.

 

[Patrick1903]

I wonder if the crankshaft is junk. With that much movement and air entering I gotta think the lower connecting rod bearings are just as loose.
If the labor is free, he might be able to get the needed parts and put it back together for about what it's worth as a used saw. I'm not up on the used saw market but maybe a couple hundred buck for an old used 260?

As to the chain size question, a guy can put a 3 foot bar on that saw and pull 3/8 chain, but it's not going to cut very fast. I have found that in general thin kerf chains cut faster on smaller saws.

I don't have the saw here with me - so I'll grab it next time I'm able. Sounds like next order of business is to pull the cylinder. Thanks everyone and I'll try to post updates when I start pulling things apart.