The Husky 42/42 special/242/246 thread

[Brian C]

Is your cylinder salvageable?? Pic is kinda blurry

Cylinder wont be perfect but would still work with a bit of a hone, hoping to get it going for my trail maintenance , nice and light machine

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

While I don't want to give you any false pretenses about it being some sort of giant killer of a 42cc, I can say that it is a very satisfying saw to run when tackling jobs that are sized appropriately for it. High RPM, quality split mag case construction. The little bugger is a joy to run. Being that I have this thing where I don't like to grind on cylinders that are NLA, I rebuilt my 242 bone stock, including the base gasket, in terms of cylinder mods. I did mod the muffler and give it a tick more timing though. I think it's just right.

 

[Tor R]

I have been reading this thread, just got a 242xp given to me and from what ive been reading here and my parts source I might have problems getting a new jug and piston. I wonder if Tor R can tell me the year. Thanks and a great forum

as Joe said, 1994 week 47, should have all the good stuff.
Is it a Mahle or a Gilardoni top end?

 

[usmcbuckwild]

My free 246.

 

[usmcbuckwild]

Looking at the intake and exhaust ports there is A LOT of room around them. Anyone have any experience porting these?

 

[p61 western]

Looking at the intake and exhaust ports there is A LOT of room around them. Anyone have any experience porting these?

@Tor R is a wealth of knowledge with these.

 

[Tor R]

Looking at the intake and exhaust ports there is A LOT of room around them. Anyone have any experience porting these?

it's some time since I last ported a 246, but, if my memory is right....
Stock (246 has great timings): IN 72°, TR 126°, EX 104°

I removed the head gasket, and sanded the squish band.
I centered the intake as much I could, but there isnt lots of space due intake bolts, lifted the intake roof as well. I did not change intake timing as I felt 74-75° was enough.

I widen the exhaust port, put the ex timing back as it was stock, 104°, and put TR timings back as stock.

 

[82f100swb]

Might as well add mine to this post. These were my dad's production saws, left is a 1994 242XPG purchased in 95, right is a 97 246, purchased spring of 98, which started life with XPG labels. I'm sure it was just badge engineering as I have not found anything different than a standard 246 yet, but I have yet to pull the cylinder.

 

[Tor R]

Might as well add mine to this post. These were my dad's production saws, left is a 1994 242XPG purchased in 95, right is a 97 246, purchased spring of 98, which started life with XPG labels. I'm sure it was just badge engineering as I have not found anything different than a standard 246 yet, but I have yet to pull the cylinder.

nice couple saws you got there!

Its tricky to know if there was a pure 246XP/XPG or if it was just a badge.
I've seen 246XPG s/n badges in Japan + 246XPG start cover decals + 246XP top cover decal.
In Europe I've never seen them.

It's also difficult to know if there was a difference or not since Husky never got all their part & part numbers printed in any of their IPL's. There isnt a part number for 246G start cover decals as example, I do own two of them so I lnow they exist.

 

[82f100swb]

I wrenched at a dealer back in the early 2000's, I am all too familiar with having a part in hand and it not being in the parts list. I think that alot of the information from the old microfiche didn't make the transition to digital.
I don't think there is anything really special about this one other than the label, and I was with him when he bought it, so I am sure it said XPG. I know the owners manual only said 246/246g, but unfortunately all of his manuals were gone when I picked up the saws.

 

[Stihlbro]

Two 42 specials. On the left got a through cleaning. When the bar oil over fills it runs right around the coil. The prefilter was nasty. Opened up the inside of air filter to breath alittle better. Made the muffler breath more. The one on the right has a 242 cylinder installed. Definitely has more snap and power in the wood. Fun saws to run.

 

[Brian C]

as Joe said, 1994 week 47, should have all the good stuff.
Is it a Mahle or a Gilardoni top end?

This saw is new to me, how do you tell and what is the difference?

 

[Brian C]

I received the piston that I ordered today and put the little 242 together today, Starts and runs for about 30 seconds than dies. Previous owner told me that's why he gave it to me, lol. Took the carb apart and put it in the sonic cleaner same results, direct fed the carb with fuel, no difference (preasureized at the carb fitting). I'll delve deeper in a couple of days if I get a chance.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

This saw is new to me, how do you tell and what is the difference?

At the base of the cylinder just above the base gasket area you should be able to find a manufacturers mark cast on the side. It will say Mahle or Gilardoni.

As to differences, I'll leave that question to Tor. He has far more experience with this family of saws than I.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

I received the piston that I ordered today and put the little 242 together today, Starts and runs for about 30 seconds than dies. Previous owner told me that's why he gave it to me, lol. Took the carb apart and put it in the sonic cleaner same results, direct fed the carb with fuel, no difference (preasureized at the carb fitting). I'll delve deeper in a couple of days if I get a chance.

Curious, what piston did you get?

How does it run for that 30 seconds?? My guess is lean. Did you pull the welch plugs out of the carb? They cover the tiny fuel orifices that deliver fuel to the carb Venturi. Also, there is usually a screen in the metering valve inlet, make sure that is clean and clear as well. Aside from that, fuel line, filter, tank vent, check em or just replace as it would be a good idea to do anyway on an older saw like that. If those steps don't take care of it and you've verified the metering lever height is correct, you may have an air leak. Could be at the intake (impulse leak) or could be crank seal or PTO bearing-seal. I hope it's not those as the PTO bearing-seal is near impossible to find.

 

[Tor R]

This saw is new to me, how do you tell and what is the difference?

242 went through alot updates through her 11 year production time, 87-98.
When I think about it, antivibs, trottle spring is those parts who did not got swapped out.

The most important update was when they changed the top end and introduced XP, I don't know exactly what s/n they had, around midd 1990 or late 1990.

The second big update was when they introduced a bigger conrod bearing, those are the s/n's :
42 4110291
242 XP 4130001
242 XPG 4110001

In around 1995 they started to upgrade the seals, I can't remember witch side they first put the new seal in, but 1997 had both new seals, and if my memory is correct my 1996 had the new seal types.
In around 1996 the piston gained a tad more weight.

Top ends...
There was 2 Mahle with very little difference until the XP arrived.
I've seen 3 different Mahle XP top ends, 1 KS XP top end, and there is one from Gilardoni also, 241 B.

 

[Farmchuck]

Can someone compare/ tell me the difference between the saws your discussing & my old faithful 1985 Husqvarna 44? Thanks.

 

[Tor R]

Can someone compare/ tell me the difference between the saws your discussing & my old faithful 1985 Husqvarna 44? Thanks.

Husqvarna 242 doesnt share much with the 44/444 serie, bearing & seals are the same.
242 has a body who is more slim shaped, ie, toned. That said, 44 is a very good saw, my opinion is that the 44 is under rated as a saw, 444 is the pro version of the 44.
44 vs 444, open port cylinder vs closed port cylinder.
Husqvarna has a brushcutter, 244RX who share the same top end as 444 has.

 

[Farmchuck]

Husqvarna 242 doesnt share much with the 44/444 serie, bearing & seals are the same.
242 has a body who is more slim shaped, ie, toned. That said, 44 is a very good saw, my opinion is that the 44 is under rated as a saw, 444 is the pro version of the 44.
44 vs 444, open port cylinder vs closed port cylinder.
Husqvarna has a brushcutter, 244RX who share the same top end as 444 has.

Thanks Tor I really love my 44 It was the first saw I ever bought. I would assume it’s less powerful than the saws you folks are discussing?

 

[Tor R]

It has a bit less power, and lower peak rpm.
That said, back in the time when 44 came, Husky didnt have 242, it was ,133/234. compared against them the 44 won in power, it first changed when Husky develop 238 in 1985.
44/444 is great saws in my book!