Porting a Husqvarna 61

[Cliff R]

While I was waiting for my new ring and carb kit to show up, I decided to do a bit of minor porting on the Husky 61. Nothing serious, basically just cleaning up the intake and exhaust ports, intake manifold, casting flash, sharp edges, etc.

I was careful not to raise the exhaust port, just widened and smoothed it up some, same with the intake, just a minor clean-up, nothing done to change the timing.

Anyhow, should I do anything with the sides of the crankcase? Specifically the area below the open sides of the jug. There is a considerable amount of overhang of the case into the open areas on each side of the jug. I don't mind the extra work to lay that part of the case back some, but wasn't sure if it would be a good idea or not?......Cliff

 

[Four Paws]

Anyhow, should I do anything with the sides of the crankcase? Specifically the area below the open sides of the jug. There is a considerable amount of overhang of the case into the open areas on each side of the jug. I don't mind the extra work to lay that part of the case back some, but wasn't sure if it would be a good idea or not?......Cliff

Sure, matching the case to the lower transfers is acceptable. Just make sure you don't fill your bearings up with aluminum filings. Get out the shop vac and have a helper suck the filings as they are cut. Don't go crazy and grind tons of material away, and make sure both sides are symmetric.

 

[pastryguyhawaii]

While I was waiting for my new ring and carb kit to show up, I decided to do a bit of minor porting on the Husky 61. Nothing serious, basically just cleaning up the intake and exhaust ports, intake manifold, casting flash, sharp edges, etc.

I was careful not to raise the exhaust port, just widened and smoothed it up some, same with the intake, just a minor clean-up, nothing done to change the timing.

Anyhow, should I do anything with the sides of the crankcase? Specifically the area below the open sides of the jug. There is a considerable amount of overhang of the case into the open areas on each side of the jug. I don't mind the extra work to lay that part of the case back some, but wasn't sure if it would be a good idea or not?......Cliff

I'm curious to hear how it works out. I rebuilt my 61 Rancher and added a muffler mod and it runs just great! The old Ranchers tend to get put down but they are solid saws. How do you like your Echo CS-670? Dean at WPS told me he was impressed with the stock porting on the cylinder. Another one of my saws that gets run down but the modded version is a whole 'nother animal. I'm sure you could more out of yours with a few adjustments. Good luck on your build.

 

[Cliff R]

This is the first 61 I've had. I've been trying to obtain an intake from a 268 or 272 to put the larger jug on it. In the meantime, I took the time to hone the jug, clean up the piston and get a new piston ring for it. Since I'm going to replace the jug anyhow, out came the carbide cutters and sanding rolls, to clean it up some.

It ran OK before I started on it, but was down considerably on compression, and power, due to the tore up jug/piston/ring. I'm not expecting that much out of it, but who knows?

The CS-670 is a solid running saw with decent power. Like the 510's that I own, it is dead solid reliable. As much as I like the saw, it's a real "whimp" compared to the Husky 268XP. The 268 has equally as much "grunt", and a LOT more power and RPM's in the cut.

Of all the saws I've ran over the years, my two favorites have been the 268XPS and the 372XP. They sport excellent power to weight ratios, and have proven to be dead solid reliable. The only thing I've ever done to the 268 was re-gasket the carb, and install a clutch drum with removable sprocket. It's got to have a zillion hours on it. The only complaint is that they forgot to put a compression release on it. It's near impossible to start unless you put it on the ground and stand on it!......Cliff

 

[pastryguyhawaii]

I agree with you on the Echo CS-670. It's very well built but any comparable Stihl or Husky should easily outcut it. But, you can get one for just a little more than I paid for my MS 270, which is a very nice little saw BTW. I would like to hear how the 61 turns out.