UPDATE ! Rookie Build , 181 Ugly Duckling Work Saw

[Magic_Man]

So I've been tinkering with saws for ten years plus. Always been minor repairs just keeping things running to put in firewood. About 4 months ago I started hanging out on these forums, caught the cad virus, and decided I needed a project or two or three or four...... So this is what I found :


Husqvarna 181, well worn and crusty, advertised with a scored piston and cylinder. This is how it showed up at my door, velocity stack and a full wrap that's been repaired many times and broke again.

 

[Magic_Man]

My plan for this saw is pretty simple. Clean it up, fix what needs fixed and get it running again.

 

[Magic_Man]

Seller was correct, piston shows scoring.

 

[mdavlee]

That's not a bad looking one. I've had much worse in my 8-10 I've owned.

 

[Four Paws]

Wow. Bet the cylinder will clean up easily - may not need any attention at all, looking at the piston. New piston kit and you will be in business!

 

[Czed]

Great saw easy to work on and one of the best sounding saws there is that wrap will be your most expensive bit unless you go half or 3/4 I hadn't found a good deal on one.

 

[bikemike]

My plan for this saw is pretty simple. Clean it up, fix what needs fixed and get it running again.

Leave it as a ugly sleeper spend more time on performance then youl have no problem wanting to get it dirty. Don't treat it like a white wall tire

 

[jockeydeuce]

A 181 was one of my first project saws as well. That's a great choice for a build. ..Tons of parts out there and a real muscle saw.

 

[Cut4fun]

Ugly Ducking rebuilds . Thats what I called one of my 084 rebuilds years ago.

 

[darkimpulse]

Looks like a good project, watching thread for updates!

 

[Magic_Man]

Great saw easy to work on and one of the best sounding saws there is that wrap will be your most expensive bit unless you go half or 3/4 I hadn't found a good deal on one.

Went half wrap for now, dealer had an oem one on the shelf he sold me for $25. Said he had to it forever, not much call for big saw parts around here.

 

[Magic_Man]

Leave it as a ugly sleeper spend more time on performance then youl have no problem wanting to get it dirty. Don't treat it like a white wall tire

That's the plan @bikemike , this is gonna be a quick build. I have had an appointment for another saw to see a certain monkey, this one is now taking its place...

 

[rattler]

I would do a pressure and vec test saws this old may need new seals and oring.

 

[Magic_Man]

So the hope was to clean up the cylinder and put a new piston kit in it. Unfortunately that's not happening. Not only was there lots of transfer, there are also several deep marks that cut through the plating.

 

[Redfin]

Didnt the early ones have thin rings?

 

[Redfin]

So the hope was to clean up the cylinder and put a new piston kit in it. Unfortunately that's not happening. Not only was there lots of transfer, there are also several deep marks that cut through the plating.
View attachment 9485

Meh, id run it.

 

[Magic_Man]

Didnt the early ones have thin rings?

Yes some did, this one is late enough that it has a single standard ring.

 

[Czed]

That sucks but you could always go bigger.great deal on that handle by the way .

 

[bikemike]

That's the plan @bikemike , this is gonna be a quick build. I have had an appointment for another saw to see a certain monkey, this one is now taking its place...

Gas monkey garage? Lol

 

[Magic_Man]

That sucks but you could always go bigger.great deal on that handle by the way .

Your on to me @Czed