Stihl 025 Chainsaw Mods: Carb and Muffler - WOW - Big Improvement!

In this video, I talk about what I did and show the results I got from modifying the muffler and the carburetor on my Stihl 025 chainsaw.

[@dirtytsfarm2141]

Glad you're getting back around to the 025 👍🏻

[@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156]

I definately had been a slacker on getting the 025 mods done, but finally achieved a decent outcome !

[@daryllund6634]

Great upgrade, fun to watch!

[@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156]

The upgrades to the 025 actually surprised me a bit, as it really performs so much better, runs cool, and the modifications were very easy to do as well.

[@SasquatchBunyan]

Sweet! Glad you got it running better. Sounds much more alive.

[@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156]

The simple mods made a big improvement in the saws performance and usability. It has been a fun journey getting the saw to perform at a decent level. Thanks again for your generosity.

[@wildcaughtfirewood1511]

Good mod! Those 025s are good little saws for what they are. Seemed to wake it up nicely!

[@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156]

The mods to the 025 really made it into a nice usable firewood saw. The first years of production were better than the later ones like mine, due to the EPA regulations being more stringent as time went on, and the performance dropped off as a result.

[@tedneitzel]

I basically did the same with mine. I used the WT 215 carb and same to muffler. Night and day difference for sure. I didn't end up with the old 610 Mac I told you about as they decided to come back for it after all. But I did get a pro mac 650 from him that I actually had to do no work to at all. It has 28in bar and that's a bit much so I'm going to get a 24in for it. I know you have one too and so far I'm pretty impressed with it other than parts are hard to get. Lucky though Tony has a few parts saws so I should be good. Anyway the 025 is worth running now for sure! Good stuff as always!!

[@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156]

The two mods done to the 025 really made a difference. In stock form, it is pretty lame. Nice find on the Pro Mac 650. They are a lot rarer than the 610's, and have more power too. A 24" bar is what I use and prefer. If you need parts for the 650, all the parts except the block are the same. One can find a parts 610 pretty cheap. Thanks for watching.

[@liljoeii6091]

Awesome video thank you for the video

[@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Indeewoods]

I never knew much about those but do now thanks to this video. My old MS250 must have came just after these? That sure was a great reliable saw that ripped good for 46cc’s. Haha “EPA-itis”😂. Yes lots of saws had that in those years. That paint colour you used for the muffler here in Canada we call that “Quebec Chrome 😆 I was camping couple weeks back out in the mountains and met an old trapper. His dad had the trap line in that area, anyway we got talking about his dad building a cabin out there in the 70’s and this guy said his dad had a 340 Polaris Free air and skidded all the logs with it he said it always ran like a top never over heated. I think he said it was a 1972 but I’ll have to ask him again.

[@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156]

The Ms 250 came out in 2002 and was available till 2020. It was more of a pro model than the 025 which made it better. The early 025's were better than the late ones like mine too. The little Polaris TX 340 actually runs cool, even though it is a free air sled. Well you have been really busy in the great outdoors lately with all your wild adventures !

[@Indeewoods]

@@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156 Interesting. They actually “Stihl” sell the MS250 here in Canada. I just got the flyer in the mail was surprised to see they still have it. Yep been out and about but that summer went by way to fast.winter adventures it is coming up I guess.

[@ironleatherwood]

Definitely best!

[@stingypaperwaffles]

My neighbor gave me his 025, he was gonna throw it out becuase it was too hard to start. It does take a bit to get going, may have to try these mods. My 041 farmboss is the main firewood producer, but a little heavy for some of the lighter work.

[@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156]

My 025 was given to me because it was hard to start, had poor performance and was unreliable. The mods I did made the saw easy starting, much more powerful and reliable. It is now a very useful little saw and is great for firewood work.

[@TheNorvikWay]

That was a nice and easy improvement. Saw definitely ran better. One of my saws is an echo cs-5000 ( first saw i ever bought) and I'm going to do a little muffler mod on it ( open it up some ) Should make a little bit of a difference but we'll see. Great video.....👍🤙

[@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156]

I was real happy with the results of the mods done on the 025. It runs so much better, has more power and some torque, and it runs way cooler. Thanks for watching.

[@randysvancara3595]

Good video

[@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156]

Thanks

[@brianking1138]

I have been waiting for this video. Looks like the mods were successful. I really like the look of that Polaris. I have been using the Echo red armor as well. I really like the smell of it coming out of the exhaust. Reminds me of the motocross track .

[@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156]

The early Polaris TX series of snowmobiles were all rather unusual looking compared to the run of the mill models they sold, part of the allure to having them. The 025 is now a nice usable saw with the extra performance gained from the mods. The only thing I still don't like is the .325 chain, it sucks ! Thanks for commenting and watching.

[@chrischiampo7647]

@@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156 Try The Stihl Yellow Chain or Equivalent and Grind it to a 35deg Angle and Hold On

[@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156]

Since I have a new Oregon chain on the 025, I am just going to leave it on there. I don't think that the 025 has enough power to run an aggressive chain. If I need a bit more cutting ability, I will go out to MOTORHEAD-SHED and just get a bigger and more powerful saw. It has been fun making the 025 from a barely usable saw, to a decent cutting small firewood saw.

[@chrischiampo7647]

@@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156 And Its Been Great Coming Along For The Journey 😀😊😀

[@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156]

Thanks !

[@jeffreyrubish347]

I'll be getting some Red Armour oil. Thanks for the info!

[@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156]

Your power equipment will be happy !

[@robertskilton9295]

Forget the old Polaris. I would have the BSA next to it any time. Rocket 3!

[@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156]

Lucky me, they are both a part of Mr. Obsoletes fine junk collection !

[@johnclarke6647]

Put a new chain on it. .325 STihl RS works best for me. I know some folks whine about the .325 but it vibrates less than the 3/8 pitch chains. My 025, 024, 026, 021 and my MS 260. all have fully adjustable jets on them. I don’t hate those single jet carbs but I like the versatility of the two jet carbs. They are a direct replacement for the single jet carbs. I also like a fully adjustable oil pumps on those saws that can use them, like my 024 and 026. These are the same saws that take large mouth bars and are Pro saws. The odd number Stihl saws (025, 023,021) are clamshell designs. The even number saws (260,026,024) are Pro saws.

[@jeffreyrubish347]

I didn't know that about even vs odd number Stihls.

[@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156]

Interesting info about the Stihl saws. Since I have a new Oregon .325 chain on the 025, I am just going to leave it as is, just so I have something to gripe about ! Since the mods of the saw are done, it really works good, and the chain will stay on till it is worn out. It is a nice little firewood saw now.

[@frankie7508]

Fantastic upgrade!!! Can I ask what kind of carburetor you used to replace it with including the make and model number please. 👍👍👍

[@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156]

The carb is a Walbro WT 215. The earliest version of the Stihl 025 came with this carb, but later changed to the non adjustable main jet EPA carb, a piece of crap.

[@chrischiampo7647]

I Love That Snowmobile Mr Obsolete 😀😊 I Had an Ariens 1960’s or 1970’s Can’t Remember For Sure Snowmobile With a Sacks Dolmar 2 Cycle Engine When I Was A Kid Up in Ohio 😀

[@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156]

Ariens snowmobiles were made from 1969 to 1972. Many small manufacturers tried their hand at making snowmobiles, but by the mid 70's most companies were gone. Sachs was one of a number of German manufacturers that provided engines for snowmobiles, but the Japanese took over the market before the collapse of the snowmobile market. Like all things vintage, snowmobiles had a fascinating history.

[@chrischiampo7647]

@@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156 And Lots of Fond Memories 😊😀😊

[@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156]

We, and many others have had a lot of fun with our vintage snowmobiles . We have never ridden or owned any modern sleds. Vintage is best !

[@garengtutorial8923]

Bagus bro

[@robertdancho9671]

Good good and good.

[@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156]

Thank you !

[@stanleymason8155]

I did the same on mine but i think you forgot to modify one part! The hole in the outef cover ie under the screen aka opposite side of the shield! After i did mine i had to modify my 260 so it wouldn't lose lol. No joke i love that 250!

[@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156]

You are right. I didn't do any mods to the muffler cases, just the baffle and the outlet plate are the only items I modified. I will have to take the muffler off again sometime, and see what you are talking about. Thanks for the tip.

[@justinweaver8107]

Sometimes the smallest things make the biggest difference

[@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156]

It sure was the case with the 025. Now it is a decent little firewood saw.

[@callapygian]

What carb did you get for the 025 upgrade?

[@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156]

Walbro WT 215

[@johnclarke6647]

I put some pork ribs on my smoker and smoked them over hickory chunks. Ought to be good later today. Got baked beans and cole slaw to go with them. Watch Red armor - it likes to seperate. I did not have the same problem with Echo Power Blend Gold.

[@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156]

I just got my smoker prepped and will be doing some jerky, and next week I am going to smoke a turkey, something I have not done before. I just do small batches of 2 stroke mix, and I always shake the can before using, so the fuel mix doesn't get stale. Good to know about the separating though. I plan on getting some of the Power Blend Gold to see how it compares to the Red Armor. One dealer said the only difference is that the additive for carbon/ash removal is not in it.

[@johnclarke6647]

@@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156 I built a wonderful smoker about thirty years ago. I got two 55 gallon drums, cut the ends out and welded them together. I then cut a door in the top and bottom parts. I then cut some heavy duty Hardwear cloth and welded it in the top for a rack to put stuff on. I could build a fire in the bottom with good oak hardwood, put the meat on the top rack and let it cook and smoke all night. It was wonderful. I cooked a Turkey on it one night and it was pink all the way through. Did not use a rub or anything. I welded a piece of 2” pipe in the hole in the top, so that was the only outlet for the smoke, except for the seems around the doors. I would load it up with wood and go to sleep. The next morning everything was done. With the horizontal smoke that I have now I have to baby sit it the whole time it is cooking. That sucks. My smoker finally rusted apart and I got rid of it. I had used two vegetable oil drums from Flowers Bakery to make it out of and welded it up with 7014 rods and my buzz box.

[@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156]

Interesting.

[@johnclarke6647]

@@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156 I got my new Walbro WT-215 carb on my 021. It runs pretty good for an initial tune. I will fine tune it, today. It was set at one turn out on both jets. The H was to rich and the L to lean. I have it set 3/4T on the H jet and 1.5T on the L jet.

[@johnclarke6647]

I did not notice a lot of performance change when I went from a carb with a single jet to one with two adjustable jets. However, I feel safer with it because I can now control the max RPM. I set it up for a nice four stroke when I adjusted the H jet, which also gives me more torque. If you want more torque, set it up rich, so it will maintain the same rpm throughout the cut. I did not modify the muffler. I did widen the grooves on the cover a bit, repainted it and removed all the rust from it but that was it.

[@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156]

The carb swap really makes a big difference in performance for sure. I will experiment with carb settings more when I have some wood to cut up. The muffler mod seems to have improved the torque and the sound level is only slightly more than stock. Opening up the slots on the deflector was another improvement.

[@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156]

I am surprised that the carb swap on your saw didn't make much difference. The swap on my 025 made a big difference. It starts better, picks up the RPM quicker, runs better at high RPM's. After the muffler mod, it improved the torque and runs much cooler. So between the two, the saw is a whole lot better

[@michellatour150]

With a fixed jet, the warmer the ambient temps, the richer the fuel metering, not leaner.

[@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156]

In theory, you are probably right since the air is not as dense, but the spark plug in the 025 always showed a lean condition in hotter weather, and the saw had a lean stumble also. In cold weather it was not a problem, and the spark plug color was more normal. My best guess is that the fuel is less dense because of the extra heat in the saw and is more prone to minor vapor locking. Spark plug color is the best way to determine what kind of problem a saw or other piece of equipment is experiencing if not operating correctly.

[@johnclarke6647]

Better get your saws ready. Hillary is probably coming to see you, at least the remnants 1:03 are

[@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156]

Hopefully we will just get some rain.

[@MrJohnnaz]

Still think it's a "weinee" saw? Run it against the 031 now.

[@mrobsoletesvintagehomestea9156]

Well the 025 is now what I would call a semi weenie saw. It has much better power and a little bit of torque, but I think the 031 is still the better cutter. The 031 has more torque and a 3/8" chain. The 025 has the .325 chain, which doesn't cut as good as 3/8" in my experience. The .325 chain has a smoother cut, but for firewood cutting I don't care what the cut looks like ! I will take your advice and have a cutting contest between them sometime in Sept., when I get some trees down. Thanks for the idea and for watching.