?'s regarding performance mods

[builder]

Hello all,this is my first post,I have 2 saws,026(EPA) and an 038 magnumII(made in WEST germany) that I'm pretty sure is "madsenized". My first Q is what can I do to improve power on the 026 myself?I'm thinking muffler..but how exactly? second Q is would my 038 still be a good candidate for a hop-up?bought both secondhand but the pistons look new through the ports. one more,038 is running 28" bar with an .063 3/8 full skip...I'm not sure I like it,been running it this way 'cuz it came with three chains but now I'm thinking I'm gonna need some new chain soon and I might want to switch to something else,any thoughts? thanks!

 

[Gypo Logger]

Hi there, the best mods you can get are by proper filing and running a good bar and chain on a good sprocket with the saw adjusted correctly on the carb. If I were you I would purchase a 16"- 20" bar, this way you can use it interchangeably between the two saws. It is possible to shorten your 28" chains to 60 drivers, but the tie straps that you use to rejoin them must equal the height of the old ones if the chain has been used. I respin the rivets I pop out, but I dont suggest it usually.
It isnt really worth the money to ask a saw machinist to revamp our saws unless we are commited to looking after the terminal parts of the saw in order to get maximum efficiency.
Having said that, a saw that has been modified for woods work will bring a whole new meaning to the word chainsaw and muffler work will get you a pronounced increase in power.
Hope this helps,
John

 

[HUSKYMAN]

You're asking for trouble if you take a secondhand saw with unknown history and start taking it apart in search of power. I would probably modify the muffler (the saw will be considerably louder) and like John said check the carbs to make sure they are tuned properly. A properly modified muffler should look something like this:

 

[HUSKYMAN]

Or this

 

[HUSKYMAN]

Whoops. Here it is

 

[builder]

OK guys I pulled the muffler off the 026 and it was breathing through a single 3/8" or so hole!So I drilled 2 more,leaving the screen in place,and opened up the slot on the outside with a screwdriver...I had to turn the idle speed way down afterwards and it seems to cut much faster,any comments?

 

[dbabcock]

Builder,
I'd talk to the big guns on this board before you start in on those kind of things. Decreased back pressure that causes an increase in RPM is probably indicative of a leaner condition. Turning down the idle speed screw won't keep it from potentially melting down at high RPM and load. There are any number of guys on this board that can steer you in the right direction. In most cases changing something usually requires changing something else to compensate.

 

[jokers]

Hey Builder, Doug is right on the money here. You want to adjust your High speed needle out, to make it richer after doing the muffler. You should really go through the complete carb adjustment process when you make a substantial change like this. You`re on the right track now. Russ

 

[builder]

I know,I still had to turn the idle speed down,even after the carb adjustment?saw doesn't act lean at all now...in fact it's much more responsive than before,I'm even getting a little occasional (rich)smoke from it as it is...does having to turn down the idle indicate a problem in itself? I probably should have been more specific in the first place.the power increase is stunning!thanks guys.

 

[Dennis]

How old is the 026? When was the last time the carb was worked over? ...to get the better response I am assuming you opened up the low jet? Where is the high set at?

 

[Dennis]

I should add that the muffler mods are the easiest, quickest power gain....

 

[builder]

dennis,
the saw is about 2 yrs old,I don't know for sure how many hours are on it but I doubt it's very many 'cuz it looks pretty new,piton/bore look perfect and the bar still has most of its paint,after opening up the muffler I opened both high and low 1/4 or so,still had to turn the idle speed down,so after reading the reaction here I opened up the low speed another 1/4 and put the speed screw about where it started out.just screams now through 16" madrona.

 

[rbtree]

Hey, builder,

Welcome to A-Site!!

Wherabouts do you you hang yer hat?

Shoreline here. Call me if you need any tree work, pruning, etc, clearing, consulting...on any jobs, etc

Roger

Barnett Tree Care

206 542 9523

 

[builder]

longbranch(key peninsula)

 

[Dennis]

Builder...1/4 turn?? does it have semi fixed jets? if not...I dont doubt that it is screaming through wood...

 

[Dennis]

Hey it sounds like you guys arent far from Rotax Robert in Enumclaw...he is going o be here next week...if you guys want to come on up...and yes..you can bring two planks rb...hehe

 

[builder]

Dennis,
why do you seem determined to assume that I know nothing about saws and am trying my best to burn it up? do you really think that anyone who's been running stihls for 10 years would only turn their mixture screws 1/4 off the stops? of course I meant 1/4 over stock,1 1/4 or so,maybe a little fatter than that.it's fourstroking nicely,thankyou.

 

[Dennis]

Builder...I wasnt assuming that you dont know anything at all..I was just making sure...there are people that dont know alot...I am not saying you are one of them...just wanted to make sure you werent doing something wrong...my bad for trying to help.

 

[builder]

no Dennis you're right. Iapologise.I'm just a little frustrated by the direction this thread has gone.probably my fault for not being clear.I'm really looking for some advice on the 038M,I really like the saw but it's starting to need some work,and I'm wondering if I should put money into a performance build or just buy a new saw after running this one out,is the 046M built as well as the 038M was? I know lots of guys around here prefered the 038M to the 044 due to its longer lifespan,though it is as heavy as an 046!

 

[Dennis]

Builder, no worries...yes threads seem to go off topic alot...lol..but that is all part of it...I cant help you out with the 38/46 differences, as i havent ran either much...but I can say if the 038 is getting on in years, then you probably dont want to spend too much on performance mods...as they can(not are) be detrimental to an old saw..ie: bottom ends giving up with revitalized power in the top..I have seen that more than once...

From what I have read, from the Stihl followers here...the 044 is more recommended than the 046...talk to gypo...he has info on that aspect...