I recently picked up a very nice 026 red lever at a yard sale of all places. Wouldn’t stay running and bogged out so it needed some work, got all that straight and stuck on a 16” bar and Stihl yellow chain and she rocks now. I’ve got $257 in it.
It may need new seals, but my experience with these old Stihls is that the bearings are generally still fine, even in old saws if there is no evidence of overheating. If I don't do a top end, I spray penetrating oil into the crankcase through the intake port with the piston at TDC. After that's had a chance to work, I fill the crankcase with diesel fuel and let it sit for a day or two, then spin the flywheel to dislodge any crud, then drain it and repeat the process with gas/oil mix. After this, you can get a good idea of the condition of the bearings, which are generally fine. In addition, you start the rebuild with clean, lubricated bearings.
I got a 026 that i have used only a couple of times and runs really nice, I think after this video I am going to put my hands back on it. Good guy tinman 💪💪💪💪
026C was my first saw, and still my favourite, its my "someone called, needs a tree down, no details saw" with an 18 inch bar, you can still cut and limb a large tree. Interestingly it always has taken quite a few pulls to get started, I wonder if it because of the plastic "choke in filter" system rather than a butterfly inside the carb. When I took the exhaust off for the first time the opening in the muffler face was only one 1/2" hole, much smaller than the exhaust port, I opened it up to match the exhaust port and it gone better and been louder ever since, was a 1999 year saw Looking forward to the build 👍
That looks like an early to mid series red lever 026 with an after market plastic oil pump, all the ones I have worked on have been a metal oil pump. The later ones had a decomp button and adjustable oiler (Pro). I have built a lot of these, they are a good saw. I generally build them with no base gasket, set squish at around .20, mild port work and a muffler mod. One of the first ones I built I bought a AM cyl for it and did the above, the compression came out at around 210psi and it ripped until the piston circlip decided it wanted to ruin the fun. I would like to see what the stock port timing numbers are.
Excited to watch the next video. Have a 026 myself. Ported, muffler mod and gasket delete. Runs great. Squish got too tight after deleting the gasket. Had to put in a beer can shim. Interesting to see how your squish turns out.
Perfect timing for this vid , Tinman. I just bought one identical to this, yesterday( 6/3/24 )for $100. Red lever , also mint and runs pretty good, however this one does have the a metal handle. It is the 4th 026 on my shelf at the momnent. 2 early red lever and 2 "pro" versions. Restored and sold 2 others last month. Definitely one of my favorite saws. Looking forward to seeing what comes out of your build.
Tinman I'm your follower from Ball Ground , Georgia, I've had an 026 from 2005 the 026 is by far the most reliable and dependable saw I've ever run. The saw for me has been the absolute best .
picked up an old 024 made in west germany, 70 bucks.. just needed a carbclean and it was mint, not as strong as the 026, but still a low use same quality saw as the 026. perfect for limbing/ Smaller firewood!
Stoked you are working on an 026. I have a red lever 026 and it has a metal handle…maybe the earlier ones have the metal handle? Either way they are fantastic saws
Tin man thanks for putting some hours in on a 026 for us. My first saw was a hand me down 026 from my dad. Was burnt up and got it going again by following your tips to save a cylinder and picked up a meteor piston. I think a lot of these have a similar story to them.
Liked your video!! Just rebuilt a ms260 recently and have been enjoying tuning it up and port. Thanks to your previous videos I smoothed up my Meteor piston (for the first time ever) and cleaned up the exhaust port. :-) Keepfixin!!!!
Your progression with chainsaws is similar to mine. I started with a Husky 136 then I picked up an 025 which was much better. Then I got an 026 that was beat for $100 and rebuilt it, ran nice for a while until the transfer wall blew out. Now I run an 036 and 038 and they're great saws.
Regarding the plastic handle. There is a winter model with heat in the handles and also heat in the carb. Think it is called 026 arctic. That one has a metal handle.
Good stuff tinman! I recently picked up a 394xp turd saw for $200us so I've been following that series. A dozen heli-coils and ez lok inserts, a seal and gasket set, and about 20 hours of cleaning later, she's a solid runner. Had to clean up the piston and cylinder a bit but i was able to salvage it. Just waiting on a kill switch. That's for all the help over the years!
I don’t like the kill switch either on my 036 Pro. That spring metal thing has failed me a couple times. But overall like a Stihl. My first saw is a Husqvarna 435, still runs great, never rebuilt and just a great homeowner saw. Starts 3 pulls all the time.
A Stihl that is this old, reseal the crankcase haves. You'll find the original sealant gone. It will run, but you'll be having trouble getting it to idle consistently. I have two, resealed both and they run great. Also a good time to change the shaft seals while it's split.
Yep, same here. Seems when I'm looking for a used Stihl to buy, can't find one. Then, when my mind is somewhere completely different, a free one pops up lol.
Those saws in fair to good condition fetch $400 to $600 where I live, I bought two of them last year at a garage sale one was 026 , the other was 028 and both cleaned up nice and ran great I ported both of them and muffler mods and sold for $600 each
Love my 260 and 261! Muffler mod, opening up the transfers and exhaust really woke it up! I haven’t gotten up the courage to do any porting on the 261. Any suggestions? It’s definitely different on the inside than the old saws
Dude, I had a 750 sport that was the most well balanced bike for twisty roads. I got it from a good friend who passed away shortly after I bought it from him. He had ridden it from North Carolina, across to the west coast for about 3 summers in a row. I miss him terribly. The one time I loaned it to a friend, he totaled it. I was heartbroken about it. I would love to see it, if nothing else, briefly in an upcoming video as a teaser. I have a Ducati shirt that he had gotten me from Alice’s Restaurant ( the same one the song was written about). I liked you before ( and thank Buckin for sending me your way) but now, you have a sub for as long as you have a channel or as long as I am able to watch you. Much love to you buddy and many blessings to you and your family. 🤙🤙
Nice video, always a pleasure to tune in. I agree alot of parts to the Stihl saws and evem the newer husky's. I like the 200 series huskies the best. I have a 1983 CB1000 Custom bought it in the crate bran new. I know it's a honda but it was the first vehicle I bought. Still have it and it runs like a top. Had it up to 135mph when I was young and brave and it had more to give but that was enough for me. Drove a CBX 6 cylinder it was a crazy run. One of my nephews had a 650 Suzuki crotch rocket. Took it for a rip... totally mental 120mph on 3rd gear. Crazy bike. TC Mahalo Tinman 🤙🤙🤙
I have a few of these 026/MS260's they are tough little saw's strong runners, best part is very light weight so yes great for sore hurt body's. Cement shop floor's and magnesium saw crankcase's are the worst combo turn's the magnesium into rotten mush, have seen a lot of ruined saw's because of this over the year's.
A bit of an offtopic question. I did a heavy muffler mod on my saw and it made it run super rich on the high jet. Does that mean I did something right or will it have no power in the cut? I haven't tested it yet, just wanted your experienced opinion.
@82f100swb I do agree, I have never had any issues with the volume of the non adjustable oilers on the 026 specifically. My original point was that in my experience the non adjustable plastic oilers leak. They leak significantly more than the adjustable metal oilers. I will leave it there, I hope you have a great week.
82f100swb The 024 and 026 both had oil pumps with plastic body. All the adjustable ones were metal. I did say the the plastic leaks more. I didn’t suggest that the metal doesn’t leak but that it leaks less. Have a good day.
@@Ecthelion_2nd None of my non adjustable ones are plastic. I will have to double check my 024 chassis, as one of them is pretty early, but I don't recall ever seeing a plastic pump housing, even back in my dealer wrench days. I know there were differences between Canadian and American market saws, but I had thought that was only carburation. I will have to take a look through the service bulletins and mediacat, see if I can't pin down what exactly went on there.
Hey there, my good friend if I may ask, do you think you can send me a saw that runs can you ship it to me so I can review it and I will leave a good comment on your video. Hope you have a blessed day and I like watching your chainsaw content and I was wondering if you could send me a so I can review it and leave a good comment on your video
026 is one of my favourite saws. Stock to full blown racers had them all. Looking forward to this build.
That is one dirty saw looking fwd to seeing it all cleaned up.👍
I recently picked up a very nice 026 red lever at a yard sale of all places. Wouldn’t stay running and bogged out so it needed some work, got all that straight and stuck on a 16” bar and Stihl yellow chain and she rocks now. I’ve got $257 in it.
Money well spent!!
@@tinmanssaws best deal I’ve ever gotten on a chainsaw for sure. I told the wife “I don’t mind going to these yard sales anymore”😂
I will defiantly be around for this rebuild. 026 are my favorite saws. I have 3, one is still new in the box.
Mantap bro
It may need new seals, but my experience with these old Stihls is that the bearings are generally still fine, even in old saws if there is no evidence of overheating. If I don't do a top end, I spray penetrating oil into the crankcase through the intake port with the piston at TDC. After that's had a chance to work, I fill the crankcase with diesel fuel and let it sit for a day or two, then spin the flywheel to dislodge any crud, then drain it and repeat the process with gas/oil mix. After this, you can get a good idea of the condition of the bearings, which are generally fine. In addition, you start the rebuild with clean, lubricated bearings.
I got a 026 that i have used only a couple of times and runs really nice, I think after this video I am going to put my hands back on it. Good guy tinman 💪💪💪💪
026C was my first saw, and still my favourite, its my "someone called, needs a tree down, no details saw" with an 18 inch bar, you can still cut and limb a large tree.
Interestingly it always has taken quite a few pulls to get started, I wonder if it because of the plastic "choke in filter" system rather than a butterfly inside the carb.
When I took the exhaust off for the first time the opening in the muffler face was only one 1/2" hole, much smaller than the exhaust port, I opened it up to match the exhaust port and it gone better and been louder ever since, was a 1999 year saw
Looking forward to the build 👍
Thanks for the whole tear down video. I’m looking forward to this build. We have four 026 saws in the family.
Bought my 026 new ...... dam I am getting old! It has been a fantastic saw
That looks like an early to mid series red lever 026 with an after market plastic oil pump, all the ones I have worked on have been a metal oil pump. The later ones had a decomp button and adjustable oiler (Pro). I have built a lot of these, they are a good saw. I generally build them with no base gasket, set squish at around .20, mild port work and a muffler mod. One of the first ones I built I bought a AM cyl for it and did the above, the compression came out at around 210psi and it ripped until the piston circlip decided it wanted to ruin the fun.
I would like to see what the stock port timing numbers are.
A 394 build, then an 026? Very cool!
I'm a scatter brain... it's true
@@tinmanssaws keep it coming! Great job man!
Excited to watch the next video. Have a 026 myself. Ported, muffler mod and gasket delete. Runs great. Squish got too tight after deleting the gasket. Had to put in a beer can shim. Interesting to see how your squish turns out.
I continue to be amazed by these rebuilds. Nice work and I know those wanting to try a rebuild this will encourage them. 👍👍
Perfect timing for this vid , Tinman. I just bought one identical to this, yesterday( 6/3/24 )for $100. Red lever , also mint and runs pretty good, however this one does have the a metal handle. It is the 4th 026 on my shelf at the momnent. 2 early red lever and 2 "pro" versions. Restored and sold 2 others last month. Definitely one of my favorite saws. Looking forward to seeing what comes out of your build.
I had a piped 026. Sounded so good. I regret i sold it. I replaced everything on it. New oem carb and stuff.
Tinman I'm your follower from Ball Ground , Georgia, I've had an 026 from 2005 the 026 is by far the most reliable and dependable saw I've ever run. The saw for me has been the absolute best .
picked up an old 024 made in west germany, 70 bucks.. just needed a carbclean and it was mint, not as strong as the 026, but still a low use same quality saw as the 026. perfect for limbing/ Smaller firewood!
Stoked you are working on an 026. I have a red lever 026 and it has a metal handle…maybe the earlier ones have the metal handle? Either way they are fantastic saws
Got one. Replaced piston and cylinder with aftermarket, starts easily and is a beast when going full chat.
I love how you have no fear of how it goes back together! Thanks Tinman. good luck making her purr again.
Looking fwrd to these Stihl jobs
Tin man thanks for putting some hours in on a 026 for us. My first saw was a hand me down 026 from my dad. Was burnt up and got it going again by following your tips to save a cylinder and picked up a meteor piston. I think a lot of these have a similar story to them.
I built one of these for my brother a couple winters ago. They're great little saws!
Love it my 024/ms261 conversion was soo much fun 44.7mm cylinder with blown out open tranfers and it 100% has a metal halfwrap
Great to see this mostly real time video. So helpful that you leave nothing out!
Liked your video!! Just rebuilt a ms260 recently and have been enjoying tuning it up and port. Thanks to your previous videos I smoothed up my Meteor piston (for the first time ever) and cleaned up the exhaust port. :-)
Keepfixin!!!!
Thanks for all your videos. In my opinion I think Pioneer p series saws are one of the easiest saws to work on ever made
Your progression with chainsaws is similar to mine. I started with a Husky 136 then I picked up an 025 which was much better. Then I got an 026 that was beat for $100 and rebuilt it, ran nice for a while until the transfer wall blew out. Now I run an 036 and 038 and they're great saws.
Regarding the plastic handle. There is a winter model with heat in the handles and also heat in the carb. Think it is called 026 arctic. That one has a metal handle.
Good stuff tinman! I recently picked up a 394xp turd saw for $200us so I've been following that series. A dozen heli-coils and ez lok inserts, a seal and gasket set, and about 20 hours of cleaning later, she's a solid runner. Had to clean up the piston and cylinder a bit but i was able to salvage it. Just waiting on a kill switch. That's for all the help over the years!
Could go with JB weld skid plate to save the case.
Excited for the next few videos. I have an 026 and an ms440 so these should be very helpful.
026 is a great saw !
Wow! You guys went a long time without having a baby -cool
Love the 026's
Cant wait to see you port this 026!!! My uncle bought a fairly mint 026 for $50 the other day, needless to say i was jealous lol!
👍
If you do a pipe I would love one for my dads 026
I pickup a 026 2 months ago it the strongest 48 cc I have ever seen . Strong as 62 cc. It might be ported
I don’t like the kill switch either on my 036 Pro. That spring metal thing has failed me a couple times. But overall like a Stihl. My first saw is a Husqvarna 435, still runs great, never rebuilt and just a great homeowner saw. Starts 3 pulls all the time.
Cant go wrong wit a 026
A Stihl that is this old, reseal the crankcase haves. You'll find the original sealant gone. It will run, but you'll be having trouble getting it to idle consistently. I have two, resealed both and they run great. Also a good time to change the shaft seals while it's split.
Did they use sealant or a paper gasket from the factory?
oh my i have one!! runs great and i use it for limbing!!!
Yep, same here. Seems when I'm looking for a used Stihl to buy, can't find one. Then, when my mind is somewhere completely different, a free one pops up lol.
Thank you Tinman.
Just picked up a 026 pro other day in a package deal woth 200t and a 36. Hoping to avoid tearing down that far.
Those saws in fair to good condition fetch $400 to $600 where I live, I bought two of them last year at a garage sale one was 026 , the other was 028 and both cleaned up nice and ran great I ported both of them and muffler mods and sold for $600 each
Love my 260 and 261! Muffler mod, opening up the transfers and exhaust really woke it up! I haven’t gotten up the courage to do any porting on the 261. Any suggestions? It’s definitely different on the inside than the old saws
I've never been inside of one of those.
A tin of fuel and paint brush to clean it and it will come up sweet
Looking forward to this one sir.
Hope you and the family are doing well.
Good evening from Greece, my brother, I am watching your channel, please put Greek subtitles.
Yeah, for sure you didnt over pay. That was a good price.
Can’t wait to see how this one goes. I have a black lever 026
Sold my 266xp and 026 , kept a034 and Shindaiwa 488 so I’m good.
Dude, I had a 750 sport that was the most well balanced bike for twisty roads. I got it from a good friend who passed away shortly after I bought it from him. He had ridden it from North Carolina, across to the west coast for about 3 summers in a row. I miss him terribly. The one time I loaned it to a friend, he totaled it. I was heartbroken about it. I would love to see it, if nothing else, briefly in an upcoming video as a teaser. I have a Ducati shirt that he had gotten me from Alice’s Restaurant ( the same one the song was written about). I liked you before ( and thank Buckin for sending me your way) but now, you have a sub for as long as you have a channel or as long as I am able to watch you. Much love to you buddy and many blessings to you and your family. 🤙🤙
i have one of those barely used did a muffler gut and it's awesome
A Ducati! In your house no less! I am super impressed Tinman!
I’m in the process of doing the same thing to an ms260 interested in seeing what your timing numbers will be
Nice video, always a pleasure to tune in. I agree alot of parts to the Stihl saws and evem the newer husky's. I like the 200 series huskies the best. I have a 1983 CB1000 Custom bought it in the crate bran new. I know it's a honda but it was the first vehicle I bought. Still have it and it runs like a top. Had it up to 135mph when I was young and brave and it had more to give but that was enough for me. Drove a CBX 6 cylinder it was a crazy run. One of my nephews had a 650 Suzuki crotch rocket. Took it for a rip... totally mental 120mph on 3rd gear. Crazy bike. TC Mahalo Tinman 🤙🤙🤙
Keeping my open for a clean 026! Have a 027 , 28 & a 29! Sweet!
"The ultimate old guy saw....." Now, I am taking notes!😂
Lol I'm getting there, just preparing for my future!!
Wait…. Are you excited?? 😆 😂😂 hell ya brother 💪💪
One just came available in my area….😮. JB weld is your friend for the case boo boo….
25:1 it's a 2 stroke, that's the only ratio. There's not an oil shortage yet.
I need some tin
I have a few of these 026/MS260's they are tough little saw's strong runners, best part is very light weight so yes great for sore hurt body's. Cement shop floor's and magnesium saw crankcase's are the worst combo turn's the magnesium into rotten mush, have seen a lot of ruined saw's because of this over the year's.
I got an old Stihl 029 20” bar I would like to get it ported and piped and see if it would pull a 25” bar and chain
A bit of an offtopic question. I did a heavy muffler mod on my saw and it made it run super rich on the high jet. Does that mean I did something right or will it have no power in the cut? I haven't tested it yet, just wanted your experienced opinion.
A good 026 is worth $350 all day long.
are these saws good i am looking at a 026 pro in realy nice shape it has a 3/8 bar and chain on it should i keep it 3/8 or should i go to .325
How do you get more out of the oil pump I know about the adjustment on the bottom of the case. I got it on Max just need a little more
Hey tinman does that red lever have a metal handle or plastic I just got a red lever with a metal handle bar?
You just told me my answer further in your video lol
I don't know when they switched to plastic but my 031av has a metal handle
I have a case half I'd you need.
Can it be installed caver of Chian for 261 to 026
Hey, a cool thing is you can convert the 026 non adjustable oiler to a ms260 adjustable oiler. Honestly I feel like they leak less oil.
The non adjustable oiler moves tons of oil. Never had an issue with mine running a 25....
@82f100swb
I do agree, I have never had any issues with the volume of the non adjustable oilers on the 026 specifically.
My original point was that in my experience the non adjustable plastic oilers leak. They leak significantly more than the adjustable metal oilers.
I will leave it there, I hope you have a great week.
@@Ecthelion_2nd Plastic oil pump? I can honestly say I have never seen one of those. Either way, if a saw isn't leaking oil, is it really a saw?
82f100swb
The 024 and 026 both had oil pumps with plastic body. All the adjustable ones were metal.
I did say the the plastic leaks more. I didn’t suggest that the metal doesn’t leak but that it leaks less.
Have a good day.
@@Ecthelion_2nd None of my non adjustable ones are plastic. I will have to double check my 024 chassis, as one of them is pretty early, but I don't recall ever seeing a plastic pump housing, even back in my dealer wrench days. I know there were differences between Canadian and American market saws, but I had thought that was only carburation. I will have to take a look through the service bulletins and mediacat, see if I can't pin down what exactly went on there.
Where can I
Get the flywheel removal tool? I was given an 056av and believe it has points under the wheel. No spark at the plug right now.
I've got an 010, 026 super also.
at liest it's not used motor oil dirty
I had one of em😂😂😂. Too small.
Hey there, my good friend if I may ask, do you think you can send me a saw that runs can you ship it to me so I can review it and I will leave a good comment on your video. Hope you have a blessed day and I like watching your chainsaw content and I was wondering if you could send me a so I can review it and leave a good comment on your video
Wish you'd ditch the intro
How's the Tinman and family