Easy Upgrades for your Stihl MS170 

Well i ordered an adjustable carb lets hope it works well on the saw.

I am a factory trained Stihl mechanic and the MS170 is a fantastic saw for the home owner, for storm cleanup, small trees and cutting branches. Yesterday I had a not running 170, manufactured in Aug/2004, come in with aftermarket (Chinese) parts. I performed a complete engine check, which includes pressure/vacuum test of the case. After verifying the engine was sealed and mechanically sound i replaced the after market parts with factory parts, including the carb. The saw fired on the third pull and is cutting great. The parts and labor for the repair was $93.00 I believe your cutting performance increase is the result of the bar & chain swap you performed with the shorter bar length being negligible. The stock bar & chain for the 170 is .043 gauge 3/8" Picco (aka LP) semi-chisel chain 61PMM3. You installed a .050 gauge 3/8" Picco full chisel chain 63PS. The larger .050 gauge permits a larger cutter while maintaining the same chain pitch. The .050 gauge 3/8" Picco is my recommended upgrade to the 170 and is the stock bar & chain for the top handle saws and the MS 211.

Saw arrived yesterday ru-vid.comUgkxfQm1wmg0ItKDLavxj1nXtQY9HP7EF504 and today I cut about 3/4 cord of wood with it. Make sure you get an extension chord that is at least 12 gauge wire, minimum. This is my first electric in about 10 years, and things sure have improved. The self-sharpener works great, and it just kept cutting through some pretty decent logs. Wear your eye protection, and ear protection. Excellent saw.

“It aint got no gas innit” - A wise man

Me: “gonna knock out this little 30 min project, just gonna clean of my workbench” Me 6 hours later: “ what was it I came in here to do?”

After this video I purchased a MS 170. This was last year and I have to say this chainsaw is really great one of my favorites because lightweight. I got also a 026 and 044.

I'm a little late to the party, but thank you for making this video. I did the tensioner and bucking spike upgrade to my saw. It was very simple and greatly improved the utility of the saw. It made an already good saw a great saw for me.

Of all the saws I have my 170 is probably my favourite. Power to weight ratio is brilliant. It's a gutsy little saw

Finally someone as ocd about clean equipment as me great video tyvm..

a little trick, when you tighten the chain, always rest the bar nose on something, or pull it up with your hand. it'll keep your chain tight. if you don't it'll often get loose on the first cut.

My dad gave me a Ms 170 with a 16 inch bar a couple years ago I used it every day to cut everything from a branch to making 2*2 and even 12*12 it's the only thing I could afford but now I just bought a Ms250 which is such a great improvement but when I get a 18 inch bar for it I'm going to make a 10 high by 15 wide and 45 long truck ramp for my future truck but I love the videos

Man, best & most detailed modification video I’ve seen on this model. Going to try 3 or 4 of your suggestions. Enjoyed the cutting demonstration too 👍🪵😎

I learned a few things here, Thank you for a well done video. I am surprised that you did'nt mention the Oregon fast sharpening chain and blade setup using a half moon grindstone setup on the blade tip. I got one off Amazon and will only use this type now. Amazing time saver.

I really appreciate you not editing out the LEARNING CURVE MOMENTS those are the most educating parts

Good video! I own a wood lot and have three Stihl chainsaws that I cut firewood with. My largest is an 18-inch 029 Farm Boss (21 yrs old and never been to a shop) and the 170 which I used for the first time last month. The 170 seems half the weight of the 029 and it saves me the fatigue of the 029. Its so nimble to use and ideal for small trees, branches and bucking. It's like comparing a revolver to a rifle. I have always used a 45:1 fuel ratio in all of my saws which seems to work well.

This is a great little video. Very well done. Very informative and entertaining enough that it kept my attention the entire time. Keep 'em coming.

I changed the bar and chain on my 170 few year back. Iv used it up trees limbing when my top Handel was playing up. Nice wee back up saw in case of emergencies👍🏻

Thank you about the video and greetings from Finland. Just placed my order of side tensioner and spikes.

You sure went the hard way to connect throttle linkage. All you have to do is work your throttle up then come in underneath with hooked end of linkage: then slightly bend the end to slip in the hole. Works good at full throttle. I really like this carburetor.

Thanks for this! Just got a 170 for some light duty work and wanted to add a metal bumper. This was perfect.

Excellent modifications. Just placed my order for the parts.

Cool Video. Just one Tip: You mentioned torx T25. The proper size is T27. On the long run much better for your screws.

Well done. Good skills. One suggestion. When drilling anything at risk of flying shavings I make sure the shop vac is catching them. I even converted an old spring arm desk lamp as a third hand to hold things like the vac hose in place when needed. Have a better new year.

Good job. My 170 is my limbing saw. I run a 12" bar, 3/8 pitch. I recently gave it a new coil and new carb. A new plug and air filter too. Runs great and I enjoy its gutsy but light weight style. easy to work on. I have a 460 husqvarna with a 28" Notch bar, that I run a skip tooth full chisel chain on. With the two of them, I can take down or climb nearly any tree I am likely to encounter. the 170 hangs from my belt/harness when I climb. Great saw. Good job on the video. George.

I just did all the mods love it what a big difference

Proper mentenence and clean tools regulary.. i just love when i see people taking care of their tools..no matter what they are using them for.. If you take care of your tools they will keep serving you for a life time. Nice work with those upgrades.. Cheers.

Yeah, those really are great mods. I'd like to do the muffler mod, bar and chain mod, spike mod and the side chain adjust, after the warranty is done. Pretty cool Vince, appreciate the work you put into this.

Very Cool/Fun vid to watch. That little MS170 is the the only saw I've bought brand new so far. I have a couple bigger 80's-90's McCulloch's now as well but that MS170 will be fun to play with after warranty,(I did buy the dogs to add when bought saw though). Thanks & will check mout more of ur Videos!...

Zajebisty jest ten gaznik! Kupilem miesiac temu ta pilarke i juz bede modyfikował ! :) Dzieki

Another mod you can do that really made mine sing even more was changing to the optional 1/4p sprocket and running a 12” 1/4p chain which has a narrower kerf.

Finally tryed the 14" bar with full chisel chain, modified muffler and adjustable carb! Do it if your thinking about it! Damn things a little beast now!. No need for advanced timing in my opnion.

Great video, now I should do some changes to my MS 170. Thanks and take care.

That was great. Thank you. Just bought an MS170 to go with my 390.

Nice, well done! Just weeks ago purchased my first chainsaw ever :D

I liked the 170 as is, but the micro chains burned out so quickly. Swapped out with a 14” bar and new sprocket, got the .050 chisel on there now. And I did the tensioner between the studs instead of behind the bar, for convenience sake. It was a very easy swap. Interesting thing there is, the saw is set up for the tensioner between the studs, why stihl doesn’t just put that on there stock I do not know. Also threw the metal spikes on there, cause I like having the extra leverage. And I tell you what, it’s a completely different saw. It’s lighter, faster, and has better balance in the hand. Used stihl parts for everything cause I’m a purist and I got mad stacks!! Just kidding, I got no money, but I am a purist. Use genuine stihl parts for best performance. Thanks for the video guy, fun to watch the mechanical process.

Very impressed with your nouse sir. Great content and delivery ;)

Thanks, I have to do some repairs on my I will be looking in to some of those upgrades.

The good 'ol small engine mechanics brush, part number C01G47E

I upgraded my ms170 to an ms250. Made a drastic difference

Hey, Vince, me again. When I saw this video I understood about most of the mods already and was only envying that Yost vice. A couple weeks ago a friend asked me to come up with a used saw for use around the home and said they'd been looking at the 170. Turns out another friend (arborist) had given me a 180C a while back and I was saving it for myself but hadn't really had a chance to inspect fully, restore and get it going. I decided, since I learned these two were so similar, that I'd fix this one up for them. I figured out why someone had given my buddy this saw for free. It had overheated and blown out the clutch drum bearing as well as melting some of the plastic parts a little. (I suspect someone ran it with the brake on.) Now that I've worked on it and tuned it as much as possible (fixed jets OEM carb) I realize the clutch springs were weakened. This must have been due to the overheat event. That's why I can only get the chain to stop running if I turn the idle way down, plus the clutch engage speed is much lower than the 4100 spec. I've got a new set of OEM springs on order and I'm expecting now I'll be able to get the correct idle and clutch engagement speeds out of it. The compression of this saw is 175, much higher than most other used saws of this class that I've seen advertised and the piston, rings and cylinder are immaculate, so I'm expecting to get $175 for it. It does have the Easy2Start and toolless chain adjuster, so it's got all the bells and whistles available on a stock saw. Now I've got it mostly restored and cutting really well I almost hate to part with it. This thing starts, idles, throttles up, runs WOT really well and cuts like a beast! I like all the extra's on this saw like the oil and fuel level viewing windows, toolless chain adjust (which also makes it quicker and easier to remove the clutch cover for cleaning), Easy2Start, quick removal toolless top cover (which makes it dead easy to clean the air filter often). This thing was really well designed and should please any knowledgeable user.

thank you, this has been very informative and helpful

love my ms170, gotten my moneys worth 100x over !

Ничего пока не понял но видео впечатляет.браво

I have this little saw for cleaning up storm damaged trees and keeping limbs trimmed , mine is an older model 170 as my muffler is pretty hollow to begin with and I have not babied it either, I finally decided to clean it up- tune up because the thing just keeps running without a hitch ...I may take the 16inch bar off and put on a 14 with a more aggressive chain...the stihl oil gums up the screen in the muffler so I switched to red armor oil mix and it burns cleaner, also the stihl file sharpener is probably the best out there

I never realized how much better husqvarna is than stihl until I saw you take apart yours. I have a 440 and it's just built so much better. Tears threw huge 20inch diameter oak (wider than the saw is long) I have on my property like nothing. Much higher ram's, and the throttle is much more responsive.

I got one just like it I just finished porting stock bar and chain running 110 Sunco and full synthetic klotz oil fastest 170 I ever seen I use it for tree work mostly

You can also advance the timing by shaving the flywheel key and relocating for a few degrees advance

Great video. Thanks for your time.

Ive found in Norway 017 from 1995 and 018 1999 both brand New!!!!! Those little chainsaws are very good for homeovner

Thank you for the video, all that work, time and money you’ve put into it. Now I know I’ll leave my MS170 stock 👍

There’s less friction using a rim and drum over a sprocket. The combination of a rim and drum plus a sprocket nose bar this setup is rollerized.

Good tutorial and a few good upgrades ..nice one

Excellent video, I definitely will do the chain adjust, but for safety compliance will keep the spark arrest screen. The timing mod also interests me

Hey, Vince! Thanks for your comprehensive video. I've done all the same mods to my 170. However, I'm struggling to get the saw to start with the master control lever in the normal run position. I need to keep the trigger pressed in, or put the lever on high idle. Yours seems to start no problem. I used and OEM Walbro W-215. Any ideas? Thanks. Mike

Nice job. I’m a new RU-vidr too. I subbed.

GREAT VIDEO! I am definitely going to make some mods to mine!

Thank you for awesome tips and links!

for cleaning your saw i suggest a hook and pick set i use one for my saw and its great for all the little oiler ports and creveses with a cuopon you can get one at harbor freight for 99 cents but other wise about five dollars.

I absolutely loved this content.. Just when you think you have found all the good chainsaw channels, i see this video... Honestly, great editing great music, amazing tips, and yeah, nice result.. Im wondering, do you think porting it would make any better performance? I have inherited my dads old 017. Been having alot of fun trying to fix it, but just when i thought this would be it, it still wouldn't start.. after being disapointed for a few days and having a sore shoulder, ive ordered some new parts and ill keep trying.

That was impressive I'm not real handy, fun to watch I'll try drilling out the exhaust, side tentioner, and the chain upgrade? Thanks great video.

Im about to buy a 361, great ideas, thank you

Next up race gas 110 octane mite as well you advanced the timing up the octane

The log's diameter is about 20% smaller at the end :D cool video tho!

I have to admit that the performance is better and this for a very small price, congratulations

Clean Chainsaw... Now its Time to get Her Dirty!!! Great video on the Little Stihl, Now Need a Husky/Stihl Mid Size Mod... Great Video!

one of the very few videos with excellent accurate information. I would question why take the most basic low power model and modify the bar,chain,adjuster,muffler,carburettor and ignition timing rather than buy a higher spec model in the first place that would also have a higher chain speed, lower vibration levels, better power to weight ratio and be more durable.

Nice job!

Thank you for posting this helpful video.

Love all the safety equipment you are using, good one.....

Just curious about the muffler mod. I know it produces a good deal more power but it was my understanding that 2 stroke engines were really finicky about back pressure. If there's not enough the engine has a good chance of over revving and burning itself out or blowing up in extreme cases. Since the saw is only meant for light duty anyway for myself I would rather take a bit more time and not risk over working the engine. That being said i think all your other mods for making the saw work more efficiently and improving the user experience are great! And I have ordered the new chain tensioner and a new chain already for my saw.

Just cleaning it must’ve given you a .05sec advantage I reckon ;)

Great show I learned alot thanks old boy.

О чудо! Она стала быстрее! Осталось только заменить поршневую и поменять пилу на 361😆

Stihls are so easy to work on, though they rarely need it.

Nice video and great ideas for my ms170. Been leaking oil since the day I bought it though, finally replaced the oil line and seemed to stop. Can you link that vise you’re using, or drop the name/brand? Snap-on vises are great, but not worth 1000$ IMO, would rather buy another chainsaw 😂

Nice video!!!! That side tensioner mod is great!!!! Thank You!!!

Super very nice video ,thanks.

Not sure that little saw is worth all those upgrades. I have the 360, the 261 and the 170. For the little trimming of branches I do with it it’s fine. Good info though!

Never completely gut the muffler when your modding it you need back pressure to give the saw torque

I put a 14 inch bar on my 170. I was actually able to get a more robust stihl 14 inch bar. It looks so much better on the saw and it cuts great. I'm putting some spikes on it too.

Nice upgrades. At work we have 6 stihl ms200t that already have the upgrades you added but they are stock on the ms200T like the side tention and the teeth spike grip plus full chisel chain. And i think the cutting bar is about the same... stihl is a very good brand and we have many other tools :-)

The question is, did he "git the gullet"

Bucking Spikes - Bumper Spikes - Dogs, think its pretty much a regional term.

Fantastic video! Subbed!

I put a set of steel bucking spikes on my ms 171, too. It did not come with any. I had bought a set for an M180 that I gave to my daughter. One went on my MS 170 and the other one went on my MS 171. I had to go to my local Stihl dealer and get two 5M D screws. I used two 16MM length screws on the MS 170 but I had to shorten the screws for the MS171 to about 3/4” for the top screw and about 7/8” for the bottom screw. I cut them off with my Dremel with a cutoff wheel. I put Lock tite on them and screwed them in with my impact, after hand starting them with my 27Torx Tee wrench. You do not want to bottom out in the bottom hole and allow the bolt to contact the muffler in the top hole.

Cleaning is faster with air nozzle.

Thumb, top handle, get it wrapped around underneath the handle !!!

Makes me want to clean my chainsaw now looks like something to do you earned a new subscriber

I had to laugh about the sidetracking. It was sooo me.

The best mod for a MS170 is buying an MS250

Thanks i only did the muffler mod and im really happy

Labas! Galiu pasakyti kad rimtas geras pjuklas 17_18. Karburatorius turi paprasta sistema! Variklis tvirtai su rinktas! Galingumo pa kanka stumoklis turi du ziedus! Naujos laidos karburatoriu ne vertinu! Aciu kad pasidalinote! 😉👍👍👍

Best upgrade is getting a husky

Just posted a video taking down some trees and used this saw extensively - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-0b8k984cVOY.html

I checked my relatively new Ms 170 on the tach. I was appalled - it read 14,500 and change. I will not run a saw this fast. So I bought an adjustable carb for my 170, but it would not fit, so I decided to put my original carb back on. Two things I noticed were the plugs in the jet holes had what appeared to be minute Torx bit sockets in them. I worked under two assumptions - the manufacturer (Zama) had to have a mechanical means to install these plugs and any plug would have to be shaped like a normal jet in order to disperse the fuel into the carb in an atomized fashion. I decided to see if I had a small screwdriver that would fit that ultra small socket, so I got out my jewelers screwdriver set and found a slot blade that fit this small socket. I then turned the H jet plug out 1/4 turn, just like I would do to any H jet where the saw was to lean. I then put the 170 back together, no easy task. I then cranked it up and let it warm up for five minutes. Everything worked normally. After five minutes I put my inductive tach on it. It read 13,050, a little high but a lot better than 14,500. I may richen it up a smidge, later, because I like 12,600-12,800 for most saws. Anytime someone tells you the jets on an ms 170 cannot be adjusted - they are wrong, they can, but it is rather difficult. You must remove the air box and pull the carb out a bit and have a small screwdriver to adjust the plugs (jets).

Nice job with the video. Good content and edits.

Best way to modify a chainsaw is to not buy a little tikes saw and make sure it's a husqvarna.

Cheeky comment warning. Or you could sell your MS170 like I did and buy and MS261.

Carburettor modification looks like a 'pain in the keyster'! I wouldn't touch the timing; make sure you back out your high speed carby screw a touch if you advance the timing. Overall a job well done. Thanks for posting this video.

Now that you have changed the timing,you can now play with the high speed jet until the dieseling is adjusted out, you want it to Rev the highest, that's when it is producing the most power. Engine life will be shortened by increasing power,but it's fun to play with toys. 😊😊