Husky 257

[Mitymouse]

I just wanted to start off saying how great of a forum this. I have been reading for awhile.
I have 2 Husky 257's. One runs but has low compression, about 100 to 110. The cylinder and piston look good when looking through the exhaust port. The other saw was bought in pieces as a project and the cylinder and piston are visibly scored.
I am trying to decide what to do with these saws. Should I just rebuild them back to stock with may a muffler mod and a little porting or should I upgrade to a 262 p&c from Baileys?? I mostly cut firewood between 12" and 24". Oak and Cherry. I have 2 20" bars for these saws 1 .325 pitch and 1 .375 pitch.
I also have Husky 51 that I did a mufffler mod on and is running a 20" bar with .325 NK and it cuts pretty well.

Thanks in advance

 

[XJWoody]

No 'direct' experience with either, but...

My boss cuts & sells firewood on the side, he's had a 262XP since new, and he continually raves how fast his saw cuts. (He runs a 20" and 3/8" chain on his)

My $0.02: If you are happy with the 257 'platform', by all means fix up the saw(s) If it were "me" (and I'll assume there isn't a significant difference in prices between the 257 & 262 top ends) I'd go with the 262 p/c kits. Same familiar platform with a few more ccs...what's not to like? LOL then have the porting & muffler modded... WooHoo!

 

[Mitymouse]

I took the topend apart on the parts saw and the piston and cylinder aren't as bad as I thought. I decided to try to save these and make this saw an experiment for porting. It appears from what I have read that you can hone the cylinder slightly and sand the piston to remove the scoring. How much material can be removed without causing a problem and what is the best media to use. The searches I have done reveal everything from 3 blade hones to ball hones to by hand with emery cloth.

At the present the only way I would be able to do it is by hand. Would emery paper be better than scotchbrite????

Also would I better to do the porting work first and then hone the cylinder or try to clean up the cylinder first???