One fast little 238SE!!!

[rupedoggy]

Haven't been interested in 242 before but you guys got me wanting to try one. I went to the flea today and got one that is missing most outside stuff but a 42 was there that looked like it could supply missing components. What is the difference between the 242 and the 42?

 

[parrisw]

haven't been interested in 242 before but you guys got me wanting to try one. I went to the flea today and got one that is missing most outside stuff but a 42 was there that looked like it could supply missing components. What is the difference between the 242 and the 42?

a 2

 

[buck futter]

Mike, the parts should all interchange, the 242 has 2 closed ports and the 42 has 4 open ports, The pistons are a little different and actually have a longer skirt.

 

[scotclayshooter]

a 2

Yep thats about right.
Im sure my 42 had a smaller exhaust exit than my 242XP

 

[rupedoggy]

Thanks, the 42 says "42 special" on various parts. What's so special or do they all say that?

 

[buck futter]

older saws just had the numbers ie 42 242 254

the newer ones had suffixes ie. 42 special, 242xp, 254xp


same saw different stickers.

 

[rupedoggy]

OK thanks. I got the 42 running and must say it is a snappy geizzer. I found one thing unusual on these saws. There is a screen/filter above the gas tank filler. You take off a plate and there it is. Looks like a pre-filter for the carb box. Mine were totally plugged. If you have one of these saws check it if you have not already.

 

[J.Walker]

does anyone have an accurate dry powerhead weight for the 238 se ??

Sorry for the long delay. Been away from my saws for two weeks.
The 238se power head only dry, weighs 10.3 lbs.

 

[youngs24]

I finally found a used 238se and its rough cosmeticly and mechincaly. The saw has a scored cylinder and piston so i went to buy a new one and you can only get the piton and ring still so instead i bought a 242 piston and cylinder but it won't work the piston is taller and the cylinder is taller do you think they sent me the wrong cylinder and piston i thought they would inter change any and all help would be appreicated Thanks Troy

 

[SawTroll]

I used to like them as well, and they are good for using on live trees when its wet outside. A mechanic showed me how much crud gets through them when you are cutting dry and dead wood. You can feel the mist of very fine dust, where the filter meets the carb, inside the throat.

I don't cut dead and dry wood - dead wood is always rotten here....

As always, different conditions call for different equipment!

 

[cooper426]

Hi,that 2385se runs good! Would this be the same family of a 444se? It looks very similar. The reason i ask is that i have 444se and needs a chain brake cover and a few other things. Does the 238se have a single bolt for the clutch cover?

The 444se that i have runs real good also. Just does not have a chain brake, and leaves me scared to use it.

Thanks

 

[SawTroll]

Hi,that 238se runs good! Would this be the same family of a 444se? It looks very similar. The reason i ask is that i have 444se and needs a chain brake cover and a few other things. Does the 238se have a single bolt for the clutch cover?

The 444se that i have runs real good also. Just does not have a chain brake, and leaves me scared to use it.

Thanks

No, it is from a smaller and lighter "family" - the 133 family (133se, 234se, 238se, 242, 42, 242xp, 246)!

 

[J.Walker]

I finally found a used 238se and its rough cosmeticly and mechincaly. The saw has a scored cylinder and piston so i went to buy a new one and you can only get the piton and ring still so instead i bought a 242 piston and cylinder but it won't work the piston is taller and the cylinder is taller do you think they sent me the wrong cylinder and piston i thought they would inter change any and all help would be appreicated Thanks Troy

Yes the P/C should fit. Who made the P/C ? Can you post a part number, maybe someone here can check it out.

 

[Gypo Logger]

Brad, are you running 3/8, and if so try a 13" bar with full skip and you'd be amazed at the diff. Never heard of the 238, but looks fast.
John

 

[Stihl Crazy]

I have two here. Always heard that the 238 was better than the 242 for small class racing. Plan to find out.

 

[youngs24]

Yes the P/C should fit. Who made the P/C ? Can you post a part number, maybe someone here can check it out.

Husqvarna part # 503536802 Thats what i ordered but im not to sure if its the right one.

Though it looks just like the cylinder on my really nice 242xp that i got from a fellow member on here and i will have to say its extremely nice i did clean it up and installed a new bar and chain on it. It spends most of its time as a shelf Queen only used three or four times and that was just to cut up a limb or to in the front yard.

Do you remeber if your cylinder was a 40mm bore or 42mm bore?
Also did the bottum of your cylinder was it completely flat or was part of the cylinder purtruding the base of the cylinder?

Thanks Troy

 

[wooddog]

Mr. Walker Sir could you measure the bore on your 238/242 hybrid? I just pulled a scored 242 top end off and tried to put it on a stock 238se and it wont work for me either.
Are sure that your 238se top end wasn't just woods ported and sent back to you?
blsnelling did you take bore measurements of the 242xp you put on the 238 or was it another 238 top end that was woods ported?

 

[wooddog]

Here's some pics of when I was laying out the ports. The vertical pieces are on the very edge of the piston skirts. You can see that there was room for significant widening.

The intake port is offset.

This cylinder appears to have a stepped area on the base of the cylinder or is it a illusion?

 

[youngs24]

This cylinder appears to have a stepped area on the base of the cylinder or is it a illusion?

You know thats a good point i can't believe i didn't see that in the pictures it does look like its got the cylinder extending out of the base just like my 238 se cylinder and the base on my 242 xp is smooth an flat. Later Troy

 

[SawTroll]

Mr. Walker Sir could you measure the bore on your 238/242 hybrid? I just pulled a scored 242 top end off and tried to put it on a stock 238se and it wont work for me either.
Are sure that your 238se top end wasn't just woods ported and sent back to you?
blsnelling did you take bore measurements of the 242xp you put on the 238 or was it another 238 top end that was woods ported?

The 242 used a 30mm stroke and a 42mm bore, and the stroke surely was the same on the 238, and the bore 40mm.