Stihl MS 260 & 026 Parts (Compatibility Guide)
The 026 and MS 260 share a design family, but their parts are not all interchangeable. Match the saw’s model and serial range, then verify the part number, dimensions, and related components in the correct STIHL parts list. For bars and chains, match the mount, pitch, gauge, and drive-link count. Check before ordering; a part that bolts on may still be wrong.
If you are trying to finish a repair without paying for a long shop diagnosis, start with identification, not a guess based on the model name. Low-maintenance choices, such as replacing a worn bar and chain as a matched set, can simplify upkeep, but only if the parts fit the saw and its drive sprocket.
I use a simple rule at the bench: verify the machine first, then the part, then the complete system around it. The 026 is about 48.7 cc; the MS 260 is about 50.2 cc. That small difference does not tell you whether a particular carburetor, ignition component, or clutch part will fit. Production changes and different versions matter.
Identify your saw before buying parts
The model name narrows the search, while the serial number and existing part markings help confirm the exact version. A correct STIHL illustrated parts list, or IPL, shows the parts assigned to a model and serial range. Use it to check part numbers and superseded numbers before ordering.
Locate the model and serial information on the saw and compare it with its IPL or service information. If a label is missing or hard to read, record every marking you can find on the component you plan to replace. A seller’s listing that says “fits 026/MS 260” is a starting point, not proof.
Check these details before placing an order:
- Exact model: 026 or MS 260, plus any model suffix shown on the saw or parts information.
- Serial range, where the IPL or service data uses one.
- Old part number and any updated replacement number confirmed in the IPL.
- Part markings, shape, electrical connections, mounting points, and dimensions.
- Related parts that must match, such as the sprocket, bar, chain, brake cover, or carburetor version.
A superseded part number may indicate an approved replacement, but confirm that it applies to your serial range. Do not treat a similar-looking online photo as a fitment check.
Which parts may interchange?
Some parts may be shared across 026 and MS 260 versions, but there is no safe blanket rule that all parts interchange. Fitment depends on the specific assembly and production version. Confirm each replacement in the correct parts list, especially for engine, ignition, fuel, clutch, brake, and anti-vibration components.
| Part group | What to verify | Why model name alone is not enough |
|---|---|---|
| Bar and chain | Bar mount, oil-hole position, chain pitch and gauge, drive-link count | These parts must match one another as well as the saw |
| Drive sprocket | Pitch and sprocket type; confirm fit with clutch and chain | A sprocket with the wrong pitch will not run the correct chain |
| Carburetor and intake parts | Part number, connections, version, and applicable serial range | Similar bodies may have different calibration or fittings |
| Ignition parts | Part number, wiring, mounting, and applicable version | Electrical fit and timing requirements matter |
| Clutch and brake parts | Part number, dimensions, and matching cover or assembly | A part that mounts may not work correctly with the safety system |
| Oil pump and related parts | Part number, passages, and serial-range fit | Incorrect oil delivery can damage the bar and chain |
| Starter, handles, and AV parts | Mounting points and exact assembly number | Small design changes can affect fit and function |
“AV” means anti-vibration: the mounts and related parts that reduce vibration at the handles. Even when two saws look nearly identical, do not assume their AV, brake, or engine parts match. Confirm the assembly number and serial-range listing.
Match the complete bar, chain, and sprocket setup
A bar and chain fit only when their mount and working dimensions match the saw and drive sprocket. Many 026 and MS 260 setups use .325-inch pitch, but other configurations exist. Gauge, bar mount, oil-hole alignment, and drive-link count must all agree. Read the bar and chain markings; do not guess from length.
Use this bench check before buying:
- Read the bar’s stamped pitch and gauge. The pitch is the spacing standard for the chain and sprocket; the gauge is the thickness of the chain’s drive links.
- Confirm the bar mount matches the saw and that the oil holes line up with the saw’s oil outlet.
- Read the drive sprocket marking or verify its pitch in the correct parts information.
- Check the chain’s pitch and gauge. Both must match the bar and sprocket.
- Count the chain’s drive links, or use the count specified for that exact bar. Bar length alone does not establish the correct link count.
Common chain gauges include .050 and .063 inch, but they are not interchangeable in a bar. A chain with the wrong gauge may not sit correctly in the bar groove. A pitch mismatch with the sprocket can prevent proper engagement.
Both saws are commonly set up with 16- to 20-inch bars when the saw, bar, chain, and sprocket are approved and correctly matched. Follow the manual for your saw and the bar manufacturer’s fitment information. Do not choose a longer bar just because it can be mounted; wood species alone does not determine a safe or suitable bar length.
Safe checks before installing or testing a part
A replacement is not ready for use just because it fits. Inspect the chain brake, throttle trigger and interlock, chain catcher, handles, bar, chain, and fasteners. Wear chainsaw PPE, clear bystanders from the work area, and plan an escape route before operating the saw.
When checking a bar-and-chain assembly, verify that the chain moves as intended with the brake released and that the brake engages correctly. Keep hands clear of the chain. Before cutting, confirm oil delivery and chain tension according to the manual. Use suitable chain-and-bar oil; there is no single oil viscosity or field-adjustable oil-flow setting that applies to every condition and version.
For any start-up test, use the manual’s cold- or warm-start procedure on stable ground. Engage the brake when the manual specifies it for starting, and release the choke promptly after the engine fires. At idle, the chain should not move. If it does, stop and diagnose the cause before cutting.
If the repair involves carburetor adjustment, do not set the high-speed mixture by ear or copy generic screw turns from another saw. Exact settings and maximum engine speed depend on the version and require correct service information and a tachometer. A lean mixture can overheat and damage the engine. Use the applicable STIHL procedure.
Three fitment cases to avoid costly mistakes
These representative bench cases show how to use the compatibility checks. They are not claims about a particular serial-numbered saw. In each case, the correct next step is to confirm the saw’s own IPL and component markings rather than assume a part fits.
- A replacement bar is listed for both models. The owner checks the bar mount, pitch, gauge, and oil-hole alignment, then confirms the chain’s drive-link count. If any marking differs from the existing matched setup, the owner pauses and verifies the bar specification before purchase.
- A used carburetor appears to bolt on. The mounting shape looks right, but the part number and connections are not confirmed. The owner checks the applicable parts list and service information before installing it; a mounting match alone does not confirm correct version or calibration.
- A clutch cover is offered as a direct replacement. The owner compares the part number and brake assembly details with the saw’s serial-range information. The cover is not considered compatible until the brake components and related fitment are confirmed.
For a low-cost repair, record the saw’s model, serial number, old part number, and all visible markings before searching. That small amount of checking often prevents buying a part that needs another part to make it work.
Maintenance details that affect replacement-part life
Correct parts still need correct care. Keep the air filter clean, clear debris from the bar groove and oil holes, and clean the sprocket cover. Inspect the bar rails, chain, brake, and fasteners. For storage, follow the saw manual’s fuel-system instructions and keep fuel in an approved container.
Fuel ratio is also part of engine protection. The baseline specified for these saws is a 50:1 gasoline-to-two-stroke-oil mix using suitable air-cooled two-cycle oil, but follow the manual for your specific saw and the oil product instructions. Never run gasoline without the specified two-stroke oil or use an unverified ratio.
Sharpen the chain to the chain maker’s specified file size and cutter angles. Many standard chains use a general depth-gauge reference of 0.65 mm (0.025 inch), but do not apply that figure blindly: check the chain-specific filing guide. Excessively lowering depth gauges can increase kickback and vibration risk.
Contact between a moving chain and an object in the upper quadrant of the bar nose can cause rotational kickback, which can throw the saw toward the operator. Keep the nose clear, use suitable low-kickback equipment and a working brake, and do not cut with the bar tip.
Conclusion: verify before you order
The reliable way to find 026 and MS 260 parts is to match the exact saw version, serial-range information, and component numbers. For cutting equipment, verify the mount, oil holes, pitch, gauge, drive-link count, and sprocket together. If the part affects ignition, fuel, braking, or oil delivery, confirm it in the correct IPL or service information before installing it.
FAQ
Are all STIHL 026 and MS 260 parts interchangeable?
No. Some parts may be shared, but fit depends on the component, version, and serial range. Check the correct parts list before ordering.
How do I confirm which parts fit my saw?
Record the exact model and serial information. Find the matching STIHL IPL, then compare its part numbers and serial-range notes with the old component.
Can I use an MS 260 bar on an 026?
Only if the bar mount, oil-hole position, and approved fitment match the saw. Also match the bar to the chain and sprocket.
Are 026 and MS 260 chains the same?
They can use the same chain only when pitch, gauge, and drive-link count match the installed bar and sprocket. Check the markings rather than relying on the saw model.
What chain pitch do these saws use?
.325-inch pitch is common, but other configurations exist. Confirm the sprocket, bar, and chain markings on your saw.
Can I tell the chain length from the bar length?
No. Bar length alone does not establish drive-link count. Check the bar specification or count the links on the correct chain.
Do the 026 and MS 260 have the same engine displacement?
No. The 026 is about 48.7 cc, while the MS 260 is about 50.2 cc. Displacement does not establish individual-part compatibility.
Can I install a carburetor that has the same mounting shape?
Not on that fact alone. Confirm the part number, connections, version, and applicable service information.
What fuel mix should I use?
The baseline is 50:1 gasoline to suitable air-cooled two-stroke oil. Follow the manual for your specific saw and the oil maker’s instructions.
What should I do if a replacement part number differs from the old one?
Check whether the IPL lists the new number as an approved replacement for your model and serial range. Do not assume a number change means the part fits.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Robert Callahan. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
