Spike60's Saw College - Husqvarna 254xp, 257, 262xp Series Saws 

What should be compression in 372xp oem?

@@Sensei948 yx3x7 G 9 m g Vm

The major brands plan a product life and therefore support plan over years. Sometimes its tough to predict which saw have systemic issues that deplete supplies when they first hit the market. After a couple of years that becomes more predictable.. :) Actually if you have listened over time Bob makes that assessment before he really pitches a particular saw in his shop. He's more "pro" oriented and has to support a very active set of professionals. Support and parts available define success. If he sells it, then its a good bet it is a supportable platform. The problem with some of the "off" brands is the economics makes it hard for a distribution channel to actually be able to promise support in the out years. Period.

And yes...Bob is unique.

Think we did a saw college on those a while back. Not sure anything has changed, possibly a couple more AM options.

oil mix 1:33 ?

I can guess at the out come.....562 is a surprisingly capable 60cc saw.. :)

@@afleetcommand Friend, how best to position the L nozzle .....?

good move. If anything put a 262 top end on it if u feel the need to change

@@afleetcommand i can't find a straight answer on what I would need. I know piston, cylinder, intake manifold, and intake manifold gasket. Im guessing the top cover has to be changed or can I modify the one I have?

Straight answer on what? 262 top end? Or 'Big bore"? I don't know of any aftermarket "Big Bore". I wouldn't recommend one anyway. There are Aftermarket 262 closed port top ends that are "ok" or course it would require a matching piston. Most top end "kits" have the piston / cylinder as a combination. The 257 is an open port so it's piston is designed for that, A 262 is closed port which is it's big gain and therefore it's piston is designed for that. Pull the open port 257 and replace it with a 262 top end, everything else should be a match. The 262 had a lot of differences in its filter and plastic, but you don't need to use any of it, just blend the 257's carburetor and filter holder and the 257's plastic is fine. The 257-261-262 are unique and none of the other similar top ends from that chassis will fit. Not the 51-55 or 254. Just the 257-261-262.

Best approach on that project is to either leave it stock, or "hunt" eBay until a good used 261/262 top end shows up. Then figure out the rest, it's not hard, but is important to know the "unique" character of that 257/261/262 chassis or as u have intuited u can waste a lot of time. :) If u want, wait. I'll do one and show it on RU-vid, will be about the same kind of finagling as a 272 top end on a old model 61. So my advise if you are not familiar is wait and I'll do one.

@@afleetcommand Wow thank you. I think I'll leave it at a 257. Would a muffler mod do anything for it?

This is true. There were test sample saws with electronic control of some ignition and fuel metering functions in the late '80s, designated "M" for "Module" (I think). The plan for production saws was to house this module in the fuel tank. The 1990 262XP IPL includes "M" parts but I'm not sure if it ever went into production, and if so, was sold outside of Scandinavia.

@Saint Brendan I did a bit of digging and found that the M was actually for Microprocessor, but not much extra info.

I thought the little cover was for extra gizmos like heated handles or the mightily terrible felling cushion ! Could be wrong but seems to be etched into a distant memory.

The one and only

nope, pretty much a 359/357 class saw and for what ever reason never had one in the channel.

A lot of those parts are still out there, clutch covers, pull starts. But also things like top covers are drying up...so its on the edge of being a PITA to support. Not yet, but in a few years will be.

found one for $140 which looks and runs fine. Only concern is future maintenance on carb, piston or cylinder. Could tuck away an extra pull start, seals and gaskets I guess. Otherwise it a new Ryiobi and the Depot for the same amount. Logger friends say stay away from the made in China stuff.

One piece of advice was to convert it to a 262. But is that going the way of the dodo bird for parts as well?

Duke's has them on eBay

@@afleetcommand , thanks donyou know the part # by any chance ?

Found it ! Ordered one thanks !

Probably

U can graft an aftermarket 262 cylinder to a 257. Should do a video on that some day

Dang. I have my eye on a super clean 257. Just might have to do that. After I finish this two 266xp projects into one...

Original Edition 372's

@@afleetcommand Can you answer why?

@@TheAljuk Simply the best combination of light weight, power, ease to work on, parts availability, and simple to increase performance. No other saw design has that "blend" of characteristics on the way a pre 2010 372 has.

What do you say about the model 254 xp?

I think they do. I have a 262 and 254 on the bench so tomorrow or the next day I can check

+afleetcommand thanks but i did more looking and they share the same part number so its all good i found one and got it ordered. i appreciate it, and the response though!

There is some cross over. I'm not sure on the exact list. I suspect case & top end parts will.

Thanks for replying

if the 254 has the old style small decal starter, they're essentially the same saw. The later 254XPs had the air injection with deeper recoil and the clutch-driven oil pump arrangement, but were otherwise also interchangeable. Early 254s and the 154SE had a much smaller combustion chamber as well, I think they run a bit better.

no, the connecting rod is longer. Нет, шатун больше на 257/261/262

@@afleetcommand оригинальный коленвал, и поршень, цилиндр у вас в стране ещё можно купить?

@@TheAljuk Не для 254, но есть вторичные поршни / цилиндры для 254 и 262, и вы можете поставить верхний конец 262 на 257. 254 уникальны. Придется охотиться на "ebay" в поисках запчастей для них.

Да 254 уникальные пилы.

@@afleetcommand oil mix 1:33 ?

No John, those side covers are different. Only thing on that side of the saw that interchanges is the clutch itself.

@@spike6020 thank you, I pick up saws and bring them back to life. A guy has 254xp, but I notice it is difficult to find parts.

but worth it if u can :) Snappy little beasts :)

Yup they all have a 34mm stroke. But the cranks are different so you can't interchange them.

I'm also trying to remember if there was a slight difference in the connecting rod length, even though the "stroke" was the same. I'll have to ask bob on that, it was a difference that wasn't intuitive.

afleetcommand that would be great if you can gather that information

can be either. Most had 3/8

@@afleetcommand Why put in general that step 0325 if it runs better with 3/8? My 262 is 0.325 and so I put must change ring, because slowly .

I said they came with both. Didn't say one or the other is better. Typically a narrow curf .325 with a larger sprocket is a direction some "performance " guys go..assuming the person knows how to sharpen can be a faster solution is some situations. The reason that ".325" direction taken is the 60cc class saw doesn't have a lot of torque, so getting the rpm's and chain speed up can be a way to increase cut speed. What I did say is most were delivered here with a 3/8 setup.

@@afleetcommand Ok. Thank you. D you think that with 3/8 quick cuts? Or think could look with a .325? For cutting for hoses, oak.

.325 narrow kerf with an 8 or 9 tooth sprocket is a great set up if you already have that size bar & sprocket...

Depends on the saw, Saws like the 372's have the key way cast into the flywheel. Saws like the Stihl MS660's have a separate key way. MOST Husqvarna's have them cast into the flywheel.