Thank you for the very valuable information on the ignition advance of the MS461. After seeing this video I swapped the coil with that from a MS460. With our fuel this was better. Plus, opening up the exhaust a bit more, by changing to a muffler cover of a 460 Magnum results in a very versatile saw that is more powerful than a 460, but with lower fuel consumption. It can even handle a .404 chain. But, after some more coil swaps for customers I found the 460 coil was not actually needed. All what is required is to 'de-activate' that new 3rd pole of the coil. I increased the air gap on the 3rd pole ( hacksaw blade behind the feeler gauge) so that it cannot pickup the flywheel's magnetic impulses, and the effect is as good as a swap!

I have a 461 and am having a helluva time getting it to run as it should. I started out by digging out the mix screw limiters on the carb. It wouldn't even idle before I did this. First pull and it idled fine afterwards. Now I gotta get the high speed sound happening. The screws seem tight in the carb though. It's always something.

Love your vids I will have to check out my solo 603 to see what it has, again GREAT vid!

All you need now is a Dyno for small engines to prove performance difference using the various ignition advance positions. And how does a coil alter the timing anyway?

I was looking up the air gap on my ms 440 this morning and the Stihl spec is .15 - .30mm or .006-.012”. My business card is .010, which is well within this spec. I am replacing the coil with one from hlsupply because my coil does not give me the performance a 71 cc saw should produce.

What do you recommend? Should I put a 360 coil in my ms 440 or go with the standard 440 coil? I am sure the 440 and 460 coils are pretty much the same, since a 460 is nothing but a 440 with a 52mm jug instead of a 50mm cylinder.

I don't think you really want more rpm but it is harder to tune (adjust the carb screws) by ear with a limited coil. At top end it is hard to hear the 4 stroking with a limited coil.

Ive recently added a post to the Arboristsite about a couple of MS362s just destroying the pistons. I would like to ask for your help in figuring out if the ignition coils could have possibly failed in a way that they advanced timing so much to cause this issue. It's a recent post and has gained a decent amount of support. Let me know if you would be able to look into it. thanks

Good video. A couple observations- Using a timing light with the original ignition coil helps baseline (where timing is before removing old coil) where timing should be when replacing with a new coil. However, you need specs when replacing a non-functional coil (e.g. no spark condition). Any suggestions on determining where timing should be if you don't have a working saw to begin with?

so how are you liking the saw with the new coil? easy to start? stays strong in the cut? have you tried a 460 coil and tested that timing or any other combinations that work well with this saw?

Soo whats the gain here? More RPM with less timing using the 360 coil but does the few less degrees of advance give you less over all torque or hp in the upper RPM range or do you end up gaining because the the stock 460 was too far advanced from the factory..also, how much more RPM are you gaining with at the 360 coil and does it actually maintain a higher rpm when under load?

I have a ms 460 that is a beast to crank. It likes to break starter ropes and handles. It will pop back on you and snatch the pull handle right out of your hand. Would I benefit by putting a 360 coil on it? My younger friend who drop starts saws has no problem starting it but I am a tad older. I crank my ms 660, 440 and 360 with no problem but the beast likes to eat my lunch. Your thoughts.

Great vid, liked the recent 500i strip down well. Oohhh that bare flywheel .one question timing light connection. What is connected to second terminal on the battery?

Hello, I´m owning a Stihl MS 460 and I can tell you that I swapped the ignition with the MS461 coil cause I WANT to have the rev-dependent Timing advance. I`m also not so happy about the rev Limit, but it doesn`t bring more power without it. Even with low load the rev Limit is not reached anymore, so it`s meaningless to remove. The Performance is better with ne MS461 coil cause I like also to work with a bit less revs when I have not so much load. Especially at lower rpm (because of load increses or partially-throttle) the Performance is better. The Goal would be to have a programmable ignition module where you can influence the rev-dependent Timing-advance. A Question: Do you know an ignition module WITH Timing advance but WITHOUT rev Limit? This also would be great... Kind Regards.

I know this is an older video, I'm just curious as to why someone would want to change to a different coil and especially one that doesn't have timing advance? I didn't even know that coils could change timing like that. I have a few older saws but these so called limited and unlimited coils is foreign to me. Can someone explain please?

hello from the uk i have a ryobi strimmer no spark changed the coil as it was duff! have week spark do you think the timing is out ? the shaft has a slot but no key have you come across this type of modle befor? what do you suggest please thanks den.

I have a question. I built a huztl ms 660 kit and this saw is firing way to early. It is firing before the piston gets to TDC. When it does it will snatch the rope right out of my hand. You can crank it but you have to be a giant and able to spin the flywheel so fast it overcomes the advance. Does a 660 coil have built in advance. If so, what coil can I use that does not. Thanks.

I'm trying to check timing on a Stihl 041 points saw which has good spark but won't run.

my 391 is backfire ? what do I look for ? it run a little bit and start backfiring and get hard to pull rope like it kicking back not running

is that a saw 4 speed cutting I work on still 4 a living if a landscaper comes I and no spark it is the coil I think to go through all that is over kill cool tho

Do Husqvarna 288's have limited coils or rev limiter's and if so how do you know or should I ask, how or where can you get this information? Thanks for the Video Awesome as allways :)

Is it possible for an aftermarket coil to mess up the timing with fixed timing engines? I replaced the flywheel and coil and all I get is backfiring. I think the new coil is probably Chinese. Thanks

They do not have limited coils but some did have limited carbs. Can't remember the carb model but look for a threaded brass plug in the side of the carb. Behind it is a spring and check ball. If the check ball is not allowed to move, the rev limiter is defeated.

thanks share video

I want to get it to backfire for sound

Very good info. I wish you could show the timing marks on the FW. NM

I would leave it as it was you have more timing in stock form unless you want to go bonkers and run 110 in it

Hello no adjustment????? It's a fix

Anyone know a video on how to adjust timing??

my 391 is backfire ? what do I look for ?

I have made a programmable ignition module for a MS 361/341. Let me know if someone is interested.

I do not understand how timing is significant with only one piston. ???

Us it snowing in gerLd mo

Would be nice if you head wasn't blocking the camera.

On a single small engine there is no need for timing. Just make sure the air filter is clean and your carb is adjusted correctly.

*****

Stay out of way of the camera. Explain what your doing/attempting and why. Write a script of what you want to share, then follow the script. Review your video for continuity then shoot it to present your information in a clear concise presentation (looking at your back or back of your head is wrong), try again. You have knowledge and skill with a desire to share.

Worst place to clamp that bar......

I just figured since your a sawhawgz I could say that.

blocking the camera is a newbie mistake