Thread: Newb here, need a little advice

Just want to start by saying this is a great site. Wish I would have found it before buying my 455 Rancher, but anyway...

I got a great deal on a 288xp ($50), and I'm wanting to get it back into the best shape I can. I replaced the missing pull cord and put fresh gas in t and it seems to run great. But it is missing the chain brake and has some cracks. Any recomendations?

I'll post some pictures if I can figure out how......

Also, I am kinda new to this stuff. I have used chainsaws in the past, but not a lot. The past few years I have been cuttung a lot more due to my brother and I both burning wood in our fire places to help heat or homes. I got a 455 rancher last year since the old homelite EZ automatic of my grandfathers just didnt seem up to the task.
But I do have some mechanical back ground, so working on this stuff doesnt scare me, as long as I read up on things before hand.

Thanks again for putting together such an informitive site!!

Scott T.

Welcome...288 chainbrakes are no longer available from the dealer. There are aftermarket CB's for sale. I have seen several on saws and I have never heard a complaint.
I would definitely replace the fuel line. Some 288's run a standard Husky pigtail line and some years had a line with a molded-in grommet. Those lines run about $20 but keep you from having mix all over you leg. If that saw doesn't idle well or seems to "scream", I would read up on replacing the crank seals and change them out. It would be a shame to ruin such a fine saw for a couple of $5 parts. The seals are very easy to replace and it sounds like you have the ability to swap them out.

After looking at your pics-

Are the guts still in the chainbrake? Are you only missing the handle? If so, look for a used one or go to the swap meet thread and beg for one.
Your saw looks to be an older model with no decomp. The starter cover is from an older saw for sure. I'm guessing the chainbrake was the metal handle style. The filter and top shroud have been replaced.

Theres no guts to the chain brake. It sems to idle and run just fine. I tried it out this past saturday and aside from the chain being dull it worked great.
Thanks for the info you given me. I actually baught this saw planning on having to rebuild it. I thought for that price that there was no way it would run! So anything I can do to make it as close to new as I can will be great, being as I havent had to really do anything to it yet.


Scott T.

Ok so I went a head and tore into this thing some. I pulled the muffler and notice some scoring on the piston so I took it all apart. I think I know the answer, but would you all replace the jug too? I think it would clean up, but the broken cooling fins dont help. If you would replace it what braand would you get?

not sure how you are filling but I would DEFINATLY look into one of the husky roller guides for sharpening your chain! Best $15-$20 tool/jig for sharpening. Gives excelent results and it's pretty much idiot proof. The jig snaps onto your chain and takes all the guess work out of angles and such... there is a movie in the link below. I also like how they fit in your pocket to touch up if you need to while cutting!

Bailey's - Husqvarna Filing Kit for 3/8" Pitch Chainsaw Chain

Warning!!! If you stick around long enough you'll start with one saw and end up... well like my signature!!!

PS: GREAT lookin saw for $50! Check out the swap meet for the break handle or get an AM like nmurph suggests.

I'm guessing your piston is scored bc of a lean condition. That could be caused by incorrect tuning or an air leak. I don't think the broken fins caused the problem. If the piston was galled at the same location of the missing fins, you might be able to attribute it to exra heat, but yours in scored on the exhaust side, typical of a lean condition. You could do a pressure test to confirm an air leak , but as easy and cheap ($12 for both) as seals are to do, I would just replace them. I would also install a new fuel line/filter. You probably should install an carb kit too. That would pretty much assure you should have a good running saw.

As for the cylinder: you really don't have anything to lose if you clean up the jug and put a new piston in. A Meteor piston will run about $35 and we can walk you through the installation. It's very easy and doesn't require any special tools. A 4mmx120mm allen wrench, a 5mm allen wrench, and needle-nosed pliers will get the job done.

Meteor Piston
Replacement Piston for Husqvarna 288

I'd just replace the fuel line/filter and the $12 in seals. I didn't see a 2nd part number... Neil does that mean you buy 2 of the same seal?
Replacement oil seal for Husqvarna

Also for the fuel line/filter you can look into the huskys parts under fuel line. If you have the "gromet" built into your fuel line, you can get a box of gromets from harbor freight (or a single one from a good hardware store). Stick the gromet in the tank hole and then stick your gas line through the gromet. Then all you have to do is buy $2-$3 in Tygon fuel line at the auto parts store. This will allow for fuel line to be changed easier and cheaper in the future!

I was thinking of just doing a piston while at work last night, so I ordered one from baileys, along with a gasket kit. I'll try to get the fuel line and filter and carb kit ordered today too.

Man, this can get addicting fast! I have an old CJ-7 I built for rock crawling, then here recently I got into messing with older riding mowers but being as I can push mow my yard, I decided 2 riders where enough. So I got this saw for a project. Now I look for them all the time!

Heres a picture of my 1977 Ford LGT120 with my 2yr old on it and the vintage Datsun truck bed trailer that lead me to this saw. While buying the trailer I noticed the saw and they said they would make me a good deal on it..........And thank you guys for all the input and direction so far!

I'd have to go look at the fuel line but I think it does have the gromet, so thats a great idea with the harbor freight gromets and cheaper fuel line, thanks! Oh, and I all ready have the chain filling kit!

Scott T.

Just buy the OEM line and you don't have to worry about the fuel line getting pinched and not supplying enough fuel (leaning the saw out). They are about $15 from the dealer.

While waiting for the stuff you can do a muff mod & retune on your 455. The 455 isn't a bad saw at all. A little heavy to power(I learnt that one from the one and only sawtrolli ) but still a good machine. Don't always believe what the people here tell you about junk, there is a tendency to buy a 100cc rocket mumbo jumbo saw for 10 chords of wood. Also learn how to sharpen those chains nice. That alone makes or brakes a saw. After installing the new parts on the 288 I would still do a pressure test just to be sure that all else is tight. If you don't have the stuff, go to any small engine repair place. It shouldn't be expensive.

Good luck,

7

Originally Posted by nstueve

Meteor Piston
Replacement Piston for Husqvarna 288!

I prefer to order from Northwoods bc of better pricing, SHIPPING, and the fact that if I order it bf 3 pm it will go out the same day. With Baileys, and I have ordered countless parts from them, you never know when it will ship or if there is some "glitch" in the system that has the part showing in-stock when it is actually back-ordered

Originally Posted by nstueve

...I didn't see a 2nd part number... Neal does that mean you buy 2 of the same seal?
Replacement oil seal for Husqvarna!

Yes, the same seal on both sides.

Yeah, I had already odered the piston from Baileys, and I see I spent $15 more then Northwood has it for, oh well live and learn right. And maybe I missed it but where do the seals go?

Couple more questions, how do I figure out which model carb this has? And are the replacement carbs any good? just thinking it may be nice to have a spare as cheap as they are. Also, where would you all get the clutch cover assembly from? I think ths saw was made in 1990 by the serial number, 0510339, and this cover aside from missing the chain brake parts its also cracked.


Thanks again guys

Originally Posted by Thomud

Yeah, I had already odered the piston from Baileys, and I see I spent $15 more then Northwood has it for, oh well live and learn right. And maybe I missed it but where do the seals go?

Couple more questions, how do I figure out which model carb this has? And are the replacement carbs any good? just thinking it may be nice to have a spare as cheap as they are. Also, where would you all get the clutch cover assembly from? I think ths saw was made in 1990 by the serial number, 0510339, and this cover aside from missing the chain brake parts its also cracked.


Thanks again guys

You should have a Tillotson HS 228A carb. Used ones are around. Try Chainsawr.com, a site sponsor and a good source for used parts.