I searched archives and can't find the answer I need. I have a 268XP I bought new in 1988. Its been an exceptional saw, but this year it is getting a major sentimental overhaul. Over the years I have used non protocol tactics to get things done without the proper tools. But after watching some online videos, I decided it's time to quit cheating and use some proper tools. Husqvarna makes " crankshaft fitment " tools at a very reasonable price. For those that don't know what I'm referring to, this tool pulls the crankshaft through the bearings already installed in the crankcase. Works really slick imo, and is fast.No heating, no freezing. I bought the Husqvarna tool set designated for my saw. Husqvarna part # 502 50 30-04. Problem is, Husqvarna changed crankshaft design somewhere around 93-95. This tool is for the later model crankshaft.The only difference is the flywheel end. The taper is a bit smaller, and the retaining threads dropped from 10 mm to 8mm. So anyone familiar with one of these tools knows that my "fitment" tool set will not work on both crankshafts. The part # of my original crankshaft is 501-52-84-02. It was then changed to part# 503 61 33-71. Don't know it makes any difference, but I'm mostly sure both these crankshafts fit about 5-8 different model saws. The new crankshaft is supposed to fit in the older saws, but naturally requires a different flywheel. I tried that route, but the new flywheels are cheap cast alluminun with a minimum amount of machine operations during production. One difference is the old flywheel had a steel bushing and used a woodruff key, where the new has the key cast into the flywheel. Because they eliminated the steel bushing, the new flywheels are not machined in the hub area, and naturally the hub hits the seal area on crankcase. The dealer cannot get the original crankshaft. All he can get is the later model crankshaft that doesn't work on my saw. I found an AM crankshaft identical in size to my original, but now my " fitting" tool won't work. The right hand thread piece for flywheel end needs to be 10mm 1.0. Not the 8mm my tool is. So that's easy right? Contact Husqvarna technical support and get the part number for the bigger shaft. Problem is they don't have a clue what part number I need. Wasted days on this rebuild thanks to Husqvarna, and isn't getting better. If anyone has been through this and knows the part number of the tool I need, please let me know. Better yet, if anyone knows of a universal set that will work for numerous models or makes, please let me know. I know, I can do it the old fashioned way, but I don't want to. Especially when I know there is a tool that will work. Anybody have this experiencence? I'm open to suggestions. I prefer to do it the easy way which is with the proper tools. I thank Husqvarna for the time, money and grief they have caused. My collection of XP's may change to MS's. Help! By the way, I have a brand new Husqvarna oem crankshaft part number 503 61 33-71 installed and uninstalled once with no run time for sale. Reasonable.
