026 Pro - Need some input

Alright, need some thoughts from those more knowledgeable about saws...

First a little background. I currently have an 036 Pro and 372xp. I have 20" bars i can run on both and a 28" for the 372 to deal with bigger stuff. The 372 is slightly heavier but not terrible - if I were to cut all day long the 036 would make more sense but the 372 can rip through wood so much faster. It is just plain fun to cut with!

I've been thinking a 50cc size saw may be a better "other saw" to compliment the 372. I've come across an 026 Pro that is for sale with an 18" bar/chain. I haven't looked at the saw in person yet but the one picture I've seen shows a fairly decent saw.

What's current market pricing for an 026?
Any pros/cons to the 026?
What is the displacement of the 026?

Does it make sense to replace the 036 with the 026? Don't know that I would do it right away as I do like my 036.

Thanks for any and all input!

 

I've had a 026PRO for 2 or 3 years. It is a sweetheart to limb with. I changed to a 16" Stihl bar and 3/8 X .050 Stihl RSC chain.

48.7cc

You are welcome to come by and make a few cuts with it after the storm passes.

I have couple other old 3 cube saws that you can compare with?

There's nothing like going to the woods with a 026PRO and 036 pair?

 

I would think $250-275 for a good one around here, although they can be had for less. I would definitely get one and not get rid of the 036. One of these days in the future when my collection has been whittled down, my 026 and one of my 036/360 will still be there for sure. I run an 18" 3/8 setup on mine. Don't worry about getting a Pro either if you can't find one. The only significant difference is the adjustable oiler which is usually used to LOWER the output on the Pro .................. the plain 026 with the fixed oiler is a gusher! Just make sure it has a 2 screw adjustable carb, although nice used/new carbs can be had on ebay cheap to replace a single screw one if necessary. That's what I did to mine.

 

Got one on my bench right now that leaned out and scored. I'm assuming it's the flywheel side seal, so plan on replacing seals if you get an older/cheaper one from craigslist. This saw has a great feel to it and actually belongs to my school district (heavily used for trimming the property lines, lugged around by our groundskeepers ALL day). It's light, surprisingly powerful, and rips.
As stated above, I'd keep the 036 for sure. The 026 is great, but not for pulling that 20" bar that always seems needed at least a few times a year. Depending on what the guy is asking, offer low with the idea that you'll have to replace the rubber components on such an "old saw"....providing a reason for a low-ball offer works sometimes haha. If you end up needing parts, I know of at least 3 parts saws at my dealer so give me a PM.

 

Im not too up on the Stihl saws.........but...I have ran an 026 Pro before . They seem like a nice saw with the 16 inch bar as stated above . I think every one needs a 50cc saw

 

I believe there were other differences between the pro and base model 026's. According to one site's rundown, the pro version has a decomp valve and compensating carburetor.

I sold a nice non-pro 026 on eBay last year, and it went for $265, meaning I cleared $230 after eBay and PayPal fees. Selling it locally I might've gotten $175-$200 for it.

 

I don't think they had a compensating carb, I think that would be one of the 036/036 Pro differences. As I said above, "the only significant difference" was the adjustable oiler. Jon's right about the decomp valve, I just don't think it is needed on an 026 ....................... therefore not "significant" IMHO.

For the record, you can install the adjustable oiler into any plain 026 too, even the early ones without the predrilled hole for it. With a little bit of drilling, and grinding around the sprocket area, the new deeper "adjustable" sprocket will properly drop in (I converted one of these). The later 026 cases with the adjuster hole on the bottom will accept the adjustable oiler and sprocket without modifications. Fixed oilers run all the time driven by the crank. Adjustable ones only run when "you need it" driven by the sprocket.

 

026 is a nice saw, I had a 260 for a couple years which was eventually ported.....only con I can think of is, it is not a 346.

 

My 026PRO originally had a single needle Compensating carb. The piston was galled from running too lean.

I put a twin needle Walbro WT-194 carb on it which is not a compensating carb. I plugged the hole left in the air filter with a foam ear plug.

Actually I could have used the metering valve cover from the old original carb, on the new WT-194 and maintained the compensating feature but chose not to.

 

Looks like you guys are right, that was a compensating carb after all!

 

The fuel line is notorious for going bad on these. It is a specially molded Stihl fuel line. Where the line goes bad is in the sharp turn just before the line fastens onto the carb.
You can run a Tygon 4040 line on them but the part of the old Stihl line that goes through the tank outlet has to be cut off and the grommet part reused. You stick the Tygon through the old grommet piece.

 

Hey Dex, remember that Cleveland CL 026, "Grandpa's rarely used one", that I beat you too when we first met, that's the one I still have! And its still only rarely been used!

 

Appreciate all the input so far.

This may be a non-play at this point as the seller won't get back to me. Also seller said the carb needs a good cleaning and that he has a new carb on order that should deliver any day.

 

They come up for sale periodically. If not this one, another will come around soon.
I sent you a PM. Call me anytime. You can play with my 026 to see how it feels compared with your 036.

There's a guy nearby that has one and he keeps saying he wants to trade car parts.