One link too short?! MS460 bar and chain fit issues

[TroopNJ]

I am fixing up a Stihl MS 460 and I bought a 24” Oregon bar and a 24” chain for it. The chain slides in the rails smoothly, fits the nose sprocket fine, and fits the saw sprocket fine. The issue is it seems like the chain is ONE link too short! The chain is the correct 84 drive links (I counted), but no matter how far back I adjust the bar, or stretch the chain. it is about 1/2” short of going on properly. What am I missing? Did I get a bad chain, or is this operator error?

 

[HarleyT]

No, the link count is either 84 or 85, depending on the bar and sprocket...

 

[TroopNJ]

The bar is stamped for 84 links and the package for the chain is 84 links. I just can’t figure out why it won’t fit.

 

[Wright Saw]

It may be easier to install the chain if you take the bar off, put the chain on it, then put the bar and chain on the saw together.

 

[HarleyT]

Or go with the smaller rim......

 

[maulhead]

Put the chain on the bar, all the way around, including the tip, top & bottom, then slip the bar & chain on the saw as one piece.

It looks like you have a 8 pin sprocket? If so that makes things tighter to get them to fit. I ran a 8 pin on my ms460 with a 24" bar and 84dl chain, was tight getting it to fit. I could not do it like in your pics, by putting bar on the saw then trying to loop chain around it. Had to put it on as one.

 

[67L36Driver]

I set up a Remy SL-55 with an 18” x 7/16”.

Slip bar/chain/rim on as an assembly.
[emoji6]

 

[TroopNJ]

When I try to put it on as one piece I come up this short (see pic). I have never had this issue with any bar/chain.

 

[HarleyT]

Your chain is too short!!!!!!!

 

[TroopNJ]

Your chain is too short!!!!!!!

I know! But I’ve never had this issue before and I don’t have any other 24” chains to measure against to check the length. So frustrating. I want to return the chain for being defective, but I want to be sure it’s the chain that’s defective and not me...

 

[HarleyT]

 

[HarleyT]

Take off your rim and take a pic.

 

[HarleyT]

Also you have an Oregon bar, so that may be part of it.
Just trying to tell you, that Stihl sells both 84 and 85 drive length chains for their 24 inch bars. It is a common dilemma.

 

[Ck0461]

8pin sprocket causing your problem. Get a 7 pin and your chain should be fine. Count the DLs to be sure the chain wasn’t cut short. No 84DL chain will fit if that one won’t.
I make my 20” chains 73 instead of 72 on my 8 pin saw, 72 will work but they got to be stretched a few tanks and you have to fight them on.

 

[Ck0461]

I have taken the 8 pin sprocket off and put the chain around it and the bar and then put the whole thing carefully back on the studs and clutch drum. I grabbed the wrong chain and it was the only way I could get it on in the field. I can’t remember if the chain was new or used.

 

[TroopNJ]

I think you nailed it. It is an 8 pin sprocket with a diameter of about 41 mm. A 7 pin sprocket I looked at online has a diameter of 35.5 mm. THAT difference would be enough to make the chain fit. Follow up question: is it better (cheaper) to buy a new sprocket, or start buying 25” chains? Thanks for the answers!!

 

[Ck0461]

Sprockets are cheap, but if your going to be buying chains anyway might as well buy em 85DL. Exchange the 84 for an 85 and keep the 8 pin.
You might not like how it runs with the 8 pin. More chain speed but you can’t push the saw as much without it spinning the clutch. Some guys love em others hate em. It’s a can of worms argument. a quick search and you’ll understand.

 

[user 122190]

8 pin faster chain speed, 7 pin more torque. A shop should be able to put an extra link in, if you decide to go that route.

Buying chains off the rack is for the uninitiated. Second hand working saws, you got to know the details.

 

[HarleyT]

I think you nailed it. It is an 8 pin sprocket with a diameter of about 41 mm. A 7 pin sprocket I looked at online has a diameter of 35.5 mm. THAT difference would be enough to make the chain fit. Follow up question: is it better (cheaper) to buy a new sprocket, or start buying 25” chains? Thanks for the answers!!

He nailed it???

 

[HarleyT]

Or go with the smaller rim......

LOL.