replace a stihl 026

[windthrown]

If you buy your saws with a Master Card CC, they will double the saw warantee. At least the one I have from Capital One will

I would get another Stihl 260 if you like the one you had, or get a Husky 346xp 50cc newer edition. The older 346xp has a 45cc engine. 

Also from my experience (I have five or so 026s now) older 026s get 'tired' rings. I read about these guys porting their 026s when they get low compression, like down to 140# PSI, but while that will raise compression, it is a lot of work. A far far cheaper and better solution is to just get a set of Caber rings from a guy in Greece (on Ebay for $10) and re-ring the piston. I did that to an old 026 saw recently (I got it from Lakeside) and it went from 145# to 170#. Just the rings, nothing else. I have since re-ringed my 044 and that went from 155# to 175#. All you need is a new cylinder gasket and the rings. It is easy to pop the jug and ring the slug. Chips, dips, chains, whips.

Or sell your tired 026 to me. I am always looking for more of them. I love these saws, almost as much as my 361s.

[moonhill]

I bought my first 026 almost 20 years ago.  It poooched out after 9 years or so.  I tried a Husky it lasted 2 years and the crank broke, I yanked on the cord till I was silly(no tools and I was in a bind and just wanted it to go again).  I am now well into the life of my second 260, a nice light zippy saw.  I did like the Husky, it started well and the air cleaner beats the Stihl, just lacked the durability.  Maybe I got a bad one?

Tim

[John Woodworth]

I'd try some Seafoam with a pinch of Acetone in your fuel to clean the varnish out of the carb, the gas you are getting today is real garbage and sour's in no time at all.

[windthrown]

This state is one of the worst for ethanol in gas. 10% of all gas here. E-10. You really have to add StaBil or some similar type of additive to keep the ethanol in there from sucking up water, and to keep phase separation from happening. It also keeps the octane from dropping and the gas from forming deposits. Read: good stuff.

I have found that soaking a gunked up carb in Coleman fuel (white gas) is good for getting rid of varnish and deposits, and it will not ruin the seals or diaphram.

[SawTroll]

Husky has about 4, maybe 5 saw models worth owning IMO. The 346xp is at the top of the list. IMO it may be the single best model Husky still has since they discontinued the 372xp. Husky owns the 50cc category.

You sure are right about that Husky owns the 50cc market!     
 

I would actually rate the 346xp as the best Husky, as its handling alone really is enough to make the competition ashamed.   

[John Mc]

Husky has about 4, maybe 5 saw models worth owning IMO. The 346xp is at the top of the list. IMO it may be the single best model Husky still has since they discontinued the 372xp. Husky owns the 50cc category.

Mind sharing what you think the others are?

[Rocky_J]

Husky has about 4, maybe 5 saw models worth owning IMO. The 346xp is at the top of the list. IMO it may be the single best model Husky still has since they discontinued the 372xp. Husky owns the 50cc category.

Mind sharing what you think the others are?

Strictly in my own opinion, the best Husky models would be:
346xp   50cc
357xp   57cc
372xp   71cc
395xp   95cc
and I've heard good reports on the newest Husky top handle arborist saw. Supposedly they finally upgraded the 335/338 to where it's quite respectable now. I'm not sure of the exact model number as I'm not willing to give up my Stihl 200T's just yet. 

But in the 50cc category, the 346xp has it wrapped up in my opinion. Stihl has some excellent models but the 260 is old and tired and the new stuff is too bogged down due to emissions laws.

[John Mc]

Thanks, Rocky. I have a 357XP that I'm very happy with (took a gamble and bought used on eBay).

I still can't figure out how they're selling any 353's when the list price on a 346XP is lower. The 353 is a decent saw, but is blown away by the 346XP.