Stihl MS261C, MS261 What is the Difference?

[CTYank]

You made a fine choice for a saw.  Shocked the dealer didn't know anything about the computer controlled carb.  I had a friend who bought a stihl 441c, and it wasn't working right since he got it, he brought it back in and the dealer changed the computer on it or plugged his computer in or something and he's loved it ever since.  I'm with you on the whole trusting it part.  What if it goes bad and leans the saw out and then seizes it.  On the other hand, I get nervous trying to tune a saw with a limited coil on it, because I can't use my tachometer and have to tune it in the wood.

What's the issue with that? That is THE way to go. "Tuning" solely by tach is a crude kludge; I've seen the results from dealer "geniuses" being waaaaaay off the mark. At best, it's a first step. Under load, in the wood, is what it's all about. Don't believe me, ask some genuine experts.

[JohnG28]

I did a thread a whole back on modding a muffler on a 361. The procedure is pretty much the same, may need a different deflector, not sure if the one I used would fit a 261? Either way this will get you started. And as mentioned, allow the warranty to expire before modifying anything or the warranty will be void. 
Edit: I just read back in my thread and someone posted their 261 mod in there, and it shows the "fish gill " mod also. 
https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,69759.msg1046894/topicseen.html#msg1046894

[Ribsy]

Thanks guys!

[HolmenTree]

Ribsy convert your 261 over to a Picco b/c and rim sprocket setup with the 63PS chisel chain .
Will put a smile on your face for a long time ;)

[Ribsy]

Thank you Holman. I will do that.

[4x4American]

You made a fine choice for a saw.  Shocked the dealer didn't know anything about the computer controlled carb.  I had a friend who bought a stihl 441c, and it wasn't working right since he got it, he brought it back in and the dealer changed the computer on it or plugged his computer in or something and he's loved it ever since.  I'm with you on the whole trusting it part.  What if it goes bad and leans the saw out and then seizes it.  On the other hand, I get nervous trying to tune a saw with a limited coil on it, because I can't use my tachometer and have to tune it in the wood.

What's the issue with that? That is THE way to go. "Tuning" solely by tach is a crude kludge; I've seen the results from dealer "geniuses" being waaaaaay off the mark. At best, it's a first step. Under load, in the wood, is what it's all about. Don't believe me, ask some genuine experts.

Whoa whoa whoa!  I must not have explained good enough.  On a saw with a limited coil, you have to check for four stroking in the wood.  You have to put it in the wood, then lift up on the bar, before it hits rev limiter and listen for four stroking.  On a saw with a unlimited coil, you can get it to four stroke out of the wood, then put it in, and get it to clean up.  I don't tune solely with a tach, I barely trust it, but I like to set the idle with the tach and I check for max speed for a goof, but, with my 461, I can't check the max speed because the rev limiter, and it's not as easy to check for 4 stroking.  The rev limiter can fool you into thinking it's 4 stroking, when really its lean bouncing off the rev limiter.

I could be wrong, but that's my understanding of the situation.  If there's a better way to tune a saw with a limited coil I'm all ears.



BTW are you same CTYank from AS?  If so, any word on when the next NY Gtg is?

[JohnG28]

4x4, where in the Adks are you? I'm just outside Utica and the family has a camp near Old Forge. 

[4x4American]

Nice, I went through Old Forge a few weekends ago on 28.  I'm in the Luzerne/Hadley area.  About 20 min from Lake George.

[JohnG28]

That's a great area up your way, I haven't been through this year but usually pass through that way when the wife and I go up to Lake Placid or Keene.