The Husky 42/42 special/242/246 thread

[Tor R]

A bit special muffler, 242 G year 1987:

 

[Agrarian]

Cranks... they used 4 different cranks.
Picture show crank 503 53 67 02 to the left and crank 503 53 67 04 to the right, 12 mm vs 13 mm conrod bearing (when we study the cut in the con rod pin to the axel it's easy to see that the 04 has bigger conrod bearing)
View attachment 90334

503 53 67 01
12 mm conrod bearing
42, s/n 0450748 ie year 90 week 45
242 SE, s/n 0130392, ie year 90 week 13
242 SG, s/n 0130001, ie year 90 week 13

503 53 67 02
12 mm conrod bearing
42, s/n 4110291, ie year 94 week 11
242 XP, s/n 4130001, ie year 94 week 13
242 XPG, s/n 4110001, ie year 94 week 11

503 53 67 03
13 mm conrod bearing
This crank was solely used as substitute crank for the 01 crank.

503 53 67 04
13 mm conrod bearing
This crank took over after the 02 crank, and it should only be used in crankcases after those s/n's:
42, s/n 0450748, ie year 90 week 45
242 SE, s/n 0130392, ie year 90 week 13
242 SG, s/n 0130001, ie year 90 week 13

A 246 crank is far as I know crank 503 53 67 04 since 246 arrived after 1994 week 13 far as I know about.

I know, this is an old thread but I have a couple of questions on this. The note on the 503 53 67 04 says that this should only be used in crankcases that originally had a 13mm crank bearing in it (after 503 53 67 02) if I'm reading it correctly. I was wondering why that was? For all of them I'm assuming the stroke is the same and also assuming the shaft diameter is the same. Is it that the added material to support the larger bearing will rub on the inside of the area it rotates in?

Also, can the number etched into the counterweight be used to know which of these crankshafts are which? Can someone provide a translation?

Thanx

 

[Tor R]

I know, this is an old thread but I have a couple of questions on this. The note on the 503 53 67 04 says that this should only be used in crankcases that originally had a 13mm crank bearing in it (after 503 53 67 02) if I'm reading it correctly. I was wondering why that was? For all of them I'm assuming the stroke is the same and also assuming the shaft diameter is the same. Is it that the added material to support the larger bearing will rub on the inside of the area it rotates in?

Also, can the number etched into the counterweight be used to know which of these crankshafts are which? Can someone provide a translation?

Thanx

Hi Barry.

The counterweight distance is 26.5mm on a 01 crank and 27mm on a 02 crank, you find the same distance difference in a 01 case vs a 02 case.

We can theretfor seperate a case into 2 classes, a 02 case can handle any crank while the 01 case can only take a 01 and a 03 crank.

 

[Agrarian]

Thanks Tor, that explains the what and why. Now I need to know the how. I have several cases I tore down before I knew there was a difference. One of the cases has no serial number tag so I don't know the year of manufacture. Short of getting out the vernier calipers, is there a way to know which case style this is?

 

[Tor R]

Thanks Tor, that explains the what and why. Now I need to know the how. I have several cases I tore down before I knew there was a difference. One of the cases has no serial number tag so I don't know the year of manufacture. Short of getting out the vernier calipers, is there a way to know which case style this is?

the one who miss the s/n, the crank is most of the times inside a few weeks old, Barry
When it goes to how to sort them cases, the old 01 case has 28.5mm distance wall to wall.
If your cases is sorted in pairs its those s/n's who mather:
42, 0450748
242, 0130392
242G, 0130001
I wish there was an easier way, but Husky, well, to often they made changes on parts without giving them a new part number.....

 

[Agrarian]

When it goes to how to sort them cases, the old 01 case has 28.5mm distance wall to wall.

"wall to wall" - is the measured from the inside edge of the crankshaft bearing wells? Quick measurements here seem to support that.

So from what you said earlier, the 02 crankcase has a distance measurement of 29 mm?

 

[Agrarian]

I measured the two crankshafts I have and both measured 27.2 mm with a vernier so I'm assuming they are 02 or o4 models. I also measured the conrod bearing pin diameter and one appears to be 12mm and one is 13mm. So I assume what I have is an 02 and an 04 crankshaft.

Now the question. On the supposed 02 crankshaft, it is etched with "5034592-02 SWEDEN-B 91 25" on three separate lines. The supposed 04 crankshaft is etched "5034592-04 SWEDEN-C 95 12". If the last line is the date code, can't we use that to know which crankshaft type these are given your notes above about the cut-in dates? At least for these two, that would seem to be the case.

 

[Tor R]

"wall to wall" - is the measured from the inside edge of the crankshaft bearing wells? Quick measurements here seem to support that.

So from what you said earlier, the 02 crankcase has a distance measurement of 29 mm?

thats right Barry, inside edge of the crankcase bearing wells. 29mm sounds correct for me.

I measured the two crankshafts I have and both measured 27.2 mm with a vernier so I'm assuming they are 02 or o4 models. I also measured the conrod bearing pin diameter and one appears to be 12mm and one is 13mm. So I assume what I have is an 02 and an 04 crankshaft.

Now the question. On the supposed 02 crankshaft, it is etched with "5034592-02 SWEDEN-B 91 25" on three separate lines. The supposed 04 crankshaft is etched "5034592-04 SWEDEN-C 95 12". If the last line is the date code, can't we use that to know which crankshaft type these are given your notes above about the cut-in dates? At least for these two, that would seem to be the case.

your 5034592-02 crank was produced in 1991 week 25, while your 5034592-04 was produced in 1995 week 12.

And yes, my 02 and 04 cranks is 27.2mm counterweight distance.

 

[Agrarian]

thats right Barry, inside edge of the crankcase bearing wells. 29mm sounds correct for me.
your 5034592-02 crank was produced in 1991 week 25, while your 5034592-04 was produced in 1995 week 12.
And yes, my 02 and 04 cranks is 27.2mm counterweight distance.

Great, it's a lot easier reading a date code than dragging out the vernier for the crankshafts! I guess for cases without serial number tags (very very few), I'll have to do it with the vernier but at least now I know how - thanks again for the details.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

So @Tor R and @Simondo , is there a big difference in performance between a 42 Special and a 242xp?

 

[Tor R]

So @Tor R and @Simondo , is there a big difference in performance between a 42 Special and a 242xp?

hi Joe,
there is more punch in an 242 through the whole rpm range compared against the 42 Special, the only saw I find equal to 242 is 246, but only from midd rpm range and up.
But, this is if we're speaking about stock saws, 242, 42 special and 246 has very different timings and also compression, 42 special is a low conpression saw stock, EX is around 106°, and its IN port is small.

 

[Simondo]

So @Tor R and @Simondo , is there a big difference in performance between a 42 Special and a 242xp?

Il only speak as i have found Joe .
In stock form: and remember that over all ( IMO) the platform was all about small softwood production /thinning/liming.
242 , little faster on the trigger and tops out about 1000 free rpm more at 15500..3.1hp
242 , 9900 rpm is what there are rated at in the cut...."all subjective" and down to the wood size /hard or soft wood ,chain, plus how sympathetic you are as a user.
42 sp:
Just a "little" less snap off idle (as its a open port) plus its 14500 free and 9300 rpm in the cut..2.9hp.
Just by the numbers there is a difference in favour of the 242 if you were making a living cutting (that comment comes from using a 242 for doing that in small softwood back in the early 90's and being paid ONLY for production)
The 42 sp I am sure could have done the job to ...just maybe giving the edge back to the 242 if cutting 8-15 inch timber more often through the day.
The 42 sp will gain some snap if you work on the muffler for a easy gain (UK exhausts are restrictive !)
The 242....always ahead ..but then it always had a head start .
I would have both if the option was there.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Thanks guys.

Josh has been experiencing a little 242 envy lately and I have found a couple of 42 Specials on eBay for descent prices. Maybe a good candidate to swap a 242 top end in and enjoy!

 

[Tor R]

Thanks guys.

Josh has been experiencing a little 242 envy lately and I have found a couple of 42 Specials on eBay for descent prices. Maybe a good candidate to swap a 242 top end in and enjoy!

the hard part is to nail down a good 242 top end.
42 Special, try to get one from 95 or newer, it has a stronger crank, and most likely a crank case who is suitable for a 246 top end, 246 is a very good canditate since Meteor produce quality piston for it.

 

[LongRanger]

ATTN: Tor R & others!
As of today I have a new to me 242XP. Super clean and COOL little saw! As we know seals do not last forever and since I do not know the history of this fine saw I thought I should address items that are saw killers ,like leaking seals, before using it.
Can anyone help with locating PTO seals? Suggestions or guidance will be appreciated? Serial number is: 1180279

 

[p61 western]

ATTN: Tor R & others!
As of today I have a new to me 242XP. Super clean and COOL little saw! As we know seals do not last forever and since I do not know the history of this fine saw I thought I should address items that are saw killers ,like leaking seals, before using it.
Can anyone help with locating PTO seals? Suggestions or guidance will be appreciated? Serial number is: 1180279

Welcome to the site and great score. @Tor R will be your best bet for help.

 

[Tor R]

ATTN: Tor R & others!
As of today I have a new to me 242XP. Super clean and COOL little saw! As we know seals do not last forever and since I do not know the history of this fine saw I thought I should address items that are saw killers ,like leaking seals, before using it.
Can anyone help with locating PTO seals? Suggestions or guidance will be appreciated? Serial number is: 1180279

welcome to OPE

your 242 is made in 1991 week 18.
Your fuel hose should be a pigtail hose, them tanks was updated in week 17-18 for them hoses.
Husky updated those seals in year 95 and 96, one by one.
The part number you have to search after is:
Flywheel seal: # 503 26 02 02
PTO seal: # 501 61 49 01
Flywheel seal is easy to find, PTO seal not, best chance is to give them old dealers a call, those who has been in the business for 30 years.

 

[Brian C]

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

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

You have a late 1994 model.

Try looking up a piston on eBay from Lil Red Barn. I have one in my 242 and did some comparative measuring between it and my roached stock piston. It's is very close to identical to OEM in every way. Differences of just a couple thousandths. I'm not sure if I posted those measurements in this thread or my 242 thread, but I did post them. The Meteor piston for these is way off spec dimensionally speaking.

There was an NOS OEM 242 piston for sale here in the classifieds not too long ago.

Is your cylinder salvageable?? Pic is kinda blurry

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Ah, here it is. http://opeforum.com/threads/nos-husqvarna-242-piston.13849/