Advise appreciated - Husky 455 Rancher

[two4spooky]

So a friend, co-worker, gave me a Husqaurvna 455 Rancher. The good: 1) looks to be OEM from bar and chain(3/8" 72DL .050", I can break/spin that, covered) to the air filter and plug - original Husky markings. Low hour saw with little use. 2) compression seems good just pulling on the rope, slow drop. Feels real firm. 3) All controls: chain brake, choke and slow idle control seem to work 4) *FREE* - self explanatory.​

 

[two4spooky]

The bad: 1) looks to have been "rode hard and put away wet". Rough. Lived in the open bed of his truck most of it's life. No maintence. 2) primer bulb is gone and has been long gone. Was told "it leaks fuel". China carb for $20-30 maybe acceptable? IDK 3) dropped and busted rear handle, needs left and right side of rear handle to be replaced. OEM rear handle(left and right side) looks to be about ~$60 in hand. Tank seems good. 4) add in to cost of basic tune up - air filter, fuel filter, plug and probably a clutch bearing. 5) serious cleaning needed. Compessed air will not cut it, Simple Green and maybe pressure washer​

 

[two4spooky]

So parts (about $100) plus time (0$ as hobby/interest). Worth fooling with or pass on? I have other good saws, would be used for the 4 wheeler, tractor or given to a family member/friend *as a useable/reiable?* saw. No experience with Husky nor thier "Ranch/FarrmBoss" equivalcent. Grew up with McCulloch and run Stihl and Echo pro saws. Homesteader/hobbiest expierence best fits my skill level. I can tune and run a saw, but not a pro. Is the 455 Rancher at ~$100 in parts plus time worth fooling with?​

 

[two4spooky]

***Also, how does one add paragraphs on this format?*** Signed computer illiterate. Cut and paste is a pain.

 

[GMB74]

Just hit "enter" to start a new paragraph.
You can also reply to your own original post (OP) to continue the conversation. No need to start a new thread.

Regarding your saw, if you want to learn a lot about repairing saws, this is a good place to start.
You won't be risking a lot of money. Write it off to the cost of your tuition in the College of Chain Saw Repair.
Lots of knowledgeable people here to help you along the way.

 

[Poleman]

First, confirm the cylinder is good and usable. Just pulling it over can be deceiving. You want a good base to start with and as you’ve said it’s had a hard abused life. Even at that you could put a new top end on it. Not a hard saw to work on and like said before a good place to start.

 

[hacskaroly]

A 455 is a good saw, for a learning saw, $100 in parts is not bad. Might be a good candidate to split the case and replace the bearings. Getting that far in you will be able to make sure there isn't anything else wrong. My first two case splits were my Husky 272 and 2100, I learned allot and really enjoy my 272, still working on my 2100.

Since this isn't your primary saw, you are not in a hurry, take your time and enjoy the process, get parts as you can/need and when done it will be really exciting when it fires up. Also, post pictures of it, through them we can see the shape it's in and might be able to spot any other issues.

 

[mrxlh]

X2 with the above advice, my first 2 complete rebuilds were a 266 Husky and a 630 Jred, super simple chassis to work on and learn the basics.

 

[Stump Shot]

Have had my 460 Rancher for 12 years now and still cutting firewood with it. Other than @Mastermind porting it for me, just basic maintenance has been done, mostly to the fuel system(normal). So, if what others have said prior is the case then it's likely worth going through and at least seeing for sure what it would take to make it go again.

 

[Mastermind]

Have had my 460 Rancher for 12 years now and still cutting firewood with it. Other than @Mastermind porting it for me, just basic maintenance has been done, mostly to the fuel system(normal). So, if what others have said prior is the case then it's likely worth going through and at least seeing for sure what it would take to make it go again.

That Mastermind guy is a hack.

 

[Mad Professor]

You are lucky, the handle is not part of the tank. Should be common to several models? Look for used/free.

Post some pictures "as run rough/lived in a pickup" might sway opinions here.

If you have spare time to tinker it would be a place to start on learning to work on saws. If P/C is OK you are at least going to have to learn to work on carbs, and fix handle. Concentrate on just getting it to run before dumping $$$ into other parts.

I don't like primer bulbs or Chi-Com carbs......but....... I was given a free cheapo weedeater, ran well but had a leaky bulb. OEM bulb, was more than a Chi-Com carb delivered ($10). The spare weedeater means I can leave it at my camp and not have to transport my good trimmer for small jobs. This would be analogous to the saw you have.

You'll get sound advice and help here.

That said, I don't like spending my time working on clamshells when I have 026, 028, 034/036, 038, 064 etc......I could fix. For Huskys, I was just given a 61 (runs!) and 257 (?). Never much on Huskys, but now I'm learning.......I'd work on those before a Rancher.

.

 

[two4spooky]

Yeah. If it were a pro grade saw I would not hesitate. Being a clam shell makes me think about the $$$.

I'll see if I can get a pic uploaded

 

[hacskaroly]

That said, I don't like spending my time working on clamshells

Clamshells are not my favorite either, but I have a few and it is another skill to put under my belt. I worked on a 61 a few years ago...fun little saw to work on!

 

[hacskaroly]

Yeah. If it were a pro grade saw I would not hesitate. Being a clam shell makes me think about the $$$.

You can pop the muffler off, if there isn't any scoring, then you should be good to go without having to take apart the clamshell and just work on the other issues you may have. Clamshells are not anything scary, just a different step to make sure you get a good seal. I had problems with a Poulan I have worked on with a clamshell, but also have worked on a MS 391 and a MS 291 and they worked out great (the 291 actually scared me when it started up, I didn't think it would). Just follow the manufactures directions for the gasket seal that you use. Clamshells make it extremely easy if you have to change out the body, no case to have to split.

 

[two4spooky]

As I received it minus a couple handful of leaves and straw packed between chain brake and handle bar

 

[two4spooky]

 

[two4spooky]

 

[two4spooky]

 

[two4spooky]

I think this is the original bar. ???

 

[hacskaroly]

As I received it minus a couple handful of leaves and straw packed between chain brake and handle bar

Oh yeah, I would strip it down, clean it up and then see what all you need. Many of the Husky saws have the same form factor just some bigger than others, so if you get familiar with this one, you will be steps ahead when you work on another.