Husqvarna 42 Special Piston Question

[HusqvarnaLover]

Have a 42 special. What good aftermarket piston that will fit? If anyone has a link to one I could buy online that will fit that'd be great. Original piston has a little bit of scoring. Would like to keep OEM cylinder if it is savable since this one has decomp valve and my other 2 saws don't.

 

[hacskaroly]

Have a 42 special. What good aftermarket piston that will fit? If anyone has a link to one I could buy online that will fit that'd be great. Original piston has a little bit of scoring. Would like to keep OEM cylinder if it is savable since this one has decomp valve and my other 2 saws don't.

Looks like the 42 special and the 242 use the same piston size. I have had good luck with Hyway and Meteor pistons, not used a Golf yet.

 

[trooney]

I got an OEM piston but they are as rare as Hen's teeth. Paid a good bit for it. I'd be interested in finding out if there is a cheaper alternative just in case and if it works just as good. I've heard people may swap them out for a 246 top end, but that's hard to find also. Doesn't Lil Red Barn make a piston for it also?

 

[hacskaroly]

Doesn't Lil Red Barn make a piston for it also?

Yes, and a few other places that Google brings up, off the top I found Hyway, Meteor and Golf options. Might be a few more.

 

[HusqvarnaLover]

Yes, and a few other places that Google brings up, off the top I found Hyway, Meteor and Golf options. Might be a few more.

242 piston should fit no problem??

 

[trooney]

242 piston should fit no problem??

The meteor doesn't have the open windows like some of the 242 pistons do. If I'm not correct, but the 242 OEM is open not closed. I wonder what Duke is selling?

 

[HusqvarnaLover]

2 piston should fit no problem??

The meteor doesn't have the open windows like some of the 242 pistons do. If I'm not correct, but the 242 OEM is open not closed. I wonder what Duke is selling?

Are all 42 special closed ports? One of the 1992 42 specials guy i got from said it was closed port. havent ever opened up the new one

 

[trooney]

I think the 42 OEM piston was windowed. I forget what the port looked like. I know the 42 special is between a 242 and a 42 rpm wise. I know my special cuts real good for a 40cc saw. But why would meteor make a 242 non windowed piston when you have windowed pistons out there for the same model? Don't know..

 

[HusqvarnaLover]

I think the 42 OEM piston was windowed. I forget what the port looked like. I know the 42 special is between a 242 and a 42 rpm wise. I know my special cuts real

I think the 42 OEM piston was windowed. I forget what the port looked like. I know the 42 special is between a 242 and a 42 rpm wise. I know my special cuts real good for a 40cc saw. But why would meteor make a 242 non windowed piston when you have windowed pistons out there for the same model? Don't know..

Lil red barn does have a non windowed piston that I was able to find online. Looks like meteor has a windowed version for sale, both kits are for 242. I am going to tear down this 42 SP further soon and see if it has a windowed piston or not and what kit may work in this saw.

A different 42 Special I bought from an older gentleman insisted it was closed port cylinder. I've never opened any 42s that I already own. I was originally going to use this saw for parts possibly. I got it cheap for 50$ with a bunch of non running poulans and a 146. This 42 I got in the lot of saws actually appears good condition better than my other two operational 42s, minus the scored piston. This one also has the decompression valve too which both my 1992 42s dont have for some reason. This new one is a 1995 I believe. I am hoping to save the OEM cylinder if it isnt too bad. The piston doesn't seem scored awfully from what I can see through exhaust port. It'd probably start up as is. Just minor scratching. Regardless Id still like to replace it if I can find something aftermarket.

 

[trooney]

Yeah, just replace with like piston. Mine was windowed. I've heard of them both ways. Some open, some closed. Maybe thats why they have both kinds? Or the difference being Eur or US? I just went with the piston that was in mine. Seems to be a common thing to have pistons scored in these things.

 

[trooney]

I haven't got to the point where I need a decomp on this saw. Hope I never do!! Lol. It's like the 026 that Stihl has. Some without, some with. The same with 262's. The earlier ones with non decomp and the later with decomp. Different cylinder makers. Maybe that's true with the 42s as well...

 

[HusqvarnaLover]

I haven't got to the point where I need a decomp on this saw. Hope I never do!! Lol. It's like the 026 that Stihl has. Some without, some with. The same with 262's. The earlier ones with non decomp and the later with decomp. Different cylinder makers. Maybe that's true with the 42s as well...

Yea, I definitely don't need the decomp valve. My other 42s start right up easily 2 or 3 pulls all time. It's just a nice feature and I'd like to keep as much OEM original as i can if cylinder is savable.