Ms400 vs Ms461 vs Ms462 vs 500i?

[ace4059]

No doubt a ported 400 would pull the chain with that bar. It would be easier on the back because it’s lighter.
But the porting costs $400-$500 plus shipping it off. Then factor in the HO oiler for $75-100 and you would be in the price range of the 462.
I was under the impression that the OP was wanting to save a little money because he was looking at used and also the 461.
If the OP has the money to spend, then go ported.

 

[guym3]

Thanks for posting the great video. Slightly surprised at how slow the 462 was. Still I guess if you watch Joe's dyno mods comparison of 460/461/462 on youtube channel you can see that the 461 would be much better suited for this task.

I'd suggest the OP takes a look at the 461. I love mine, with great torque and responds well to simple things like MM and base gasket delete.

 

[MustangMike]

Be careful with recommending a base gasket delete on a 461, it does not work out well on all of them, ditto on 460s (usually works well on 044/440s), but always check your squish and on the 461 other clearances. IIRC I believe some of them had a problem with either piston clearance or the saddle with a base gasket delete.

Also, many 461s have soft spark plug threads, and they tend to run hot unless you remove the carb limiters and do a muffler mod. (It was the result of emissions compliance). They are also a bit heavier than a 460 as a result of the longer case required for the transfer feed in the front of the cylinder.

While most 461s have more torque (in stock form) than 460s, properly ported there is not much (if any) difference, and while it is more difficult to achieve, a 440/460 hybrid can also have incredible torque if ported properly. (The porting has to offset the smaller case capacity that tends to generate high RPMs but less torque).

Cylinder squish and timing #s on 460s were all over the place, but a few of them ran very well. The original "Magnum" 046s (that came from the factory with a DP muffler and 046-D jug) were known for generally being strong runners.

 

[MustangMike]

I just watched Joes great video on these 3 saws ported, and they are all remarkably close. When you factor in that the 462 is smaller and has a short stroke, it did remarkably well. I have 2 ported 462s and I love them, but they perform better when you operate them with a softer touch that keeps the RPMS high.

Conversely, I have a 440/460 Hybrid ported by Doc Al that I can really lean on, even with 28" full comp in hardwood. I run 20 and 24" bars on the 462s. The 462s are fast cutting saws, don't need to be tuned, and have the clean air filter technology that I appreciate.

 

[ace4059]

I don’t know anything about the older saws of the 044, 460,or 461 so I can’t comment there
But,
I’ll second what MustangMike has to say.
The 462 will stall out easily, just like the 400. It has to be ran at high rpm and let it “self feed” by not putting pressure on the saw and forcing it through the cut. Let the chain do the work. It actually cuts faster this way and any pressure bogs the saw down and makes it cut slower. It’s a fast saw when cut like this. With a 20”-25” bar, the 462 can out cut a 500i.