On both of my 036 saws I run an 18" bar with .325 chain. I bought them both used, and they were both already set up this way. I've also swapped out the drive bearing and clutch drum for ones that fit an 041. The 041 drum uses the standard spline (same as the 044, 046, 064, and 066) which allows me to use a 9 tooth .325 rim. I also tend to run the depth gauges on my chain a little shorter than stock. I cut mostly hickory with some oak and locust mixed in, and most of the trees are in the 18" to 22" range at the base. Whether its felling trees, limbing them into logs so I can skid them out, or bucking them into firewood back at the house, this is my absolute favorite saw and setup for firewood chores.
I like my 026 better for storm cleanup because its lighter, and I'm not trying to cut limbs flush with the trunk. I see no reason for a bar any longer than 18" on an 036. If you know how to use the saw, you can cut through 20" logs without having to move to the other side of the tree. When the bar gets too short, the saw also gets too small. If you're dealing with mostly softer woods, a longer bar might be a better option, but for hardwoods, 18" is ideal for an 036. If I'm going to be cutting much where 18" isn't going to be quite long enough, it's worth it for me to deal with the added weight of a bigger saw and longer bar.
