Husqvarna 254 (xp?)

[Huskybill]

View attachment 838306
Really not far off of the latest and greatest husqvarna in the power department.

Here are a 254xp and 550mk2 stock runs from the dyno.

Closer than i would have guessed.

After building giant dynamometers for testing new elevator machines the read outs don’t lie. I often wondered how close is the newer saws to the older saws. Husqvarna was way ahead of there time with the older saws. I had no complaints about there performance in the woods. The only difference I can imagine is the better av system and fuel economy plus weight being a factor today. But are the newer saws really better? Has Husqvarna peaked in the market in the past few years. Going high tech doesn’t always mean it’s better.

I run larger pin rims on my saws looking to get the most out of them time wise. Cutting speed and rpms matters more to me than weight, with shorter bars on smaller cc saws. With more chain speed, fpm we must keep the chain razor sharp.

 

[Lee192233]

Hey all,

I'm looking for crank bearings for this saw. Looks like 6202 C3 bearings are what I need. Any recommendations? Are the Peer bearings from Motion Industries any good? I will get seals and gaskets from Husqvarna. What carb is on this unit? I would like to get a carb kit for it as well.

Thanks in advance,
Lee

 

[Huskvarna hotellgäst]

Crankshaft main bearings fir the 254 are the most common part across Husqvarna, Jonsered & Partner saws.
Part number is 73 82 202-25. I only know the original SKF brand with metal cages, used on Husky 40/45 50/51/55/59 154/254/257/261/262 61/66/68/162/266/268/272 480 early181(flywheel side) 371/372
Partner 400/450 500/5000
Jonsered 620/625/630 . . . I'll stop there

 

[Lee192233]

Well, I successfully split this 254. Now cleaning and part procurement and I will be reassembling it.

 

[Lee192233]

Crankshaft main bearings fir the 254 are the most common part across Husqvarna, Jonsered & Partner saws.
Part number is 73 82 202-25. I only know the original SKF brand with metal cages, used on Husky 40/45 50/51/55/59 154/254/257/261/262 61/66/68/162/266/268/272 480 early181(flywheel side) 371/372
Partner 400/450 500/5000
Jonsered 620/625/630 . . . I'll stop there

Thanks for the info!
Lee

 

[Derf]

View attachment 838306
Really not far off of the latest and greatest husqvarna in the power department.

Here are a 254xp and 550mk2 stock runs from the dyno.

Closer than i would have guessed.

That’s a great comparison graph. What amazes me is the 254 has 4cc more displacement (almost 10%) than the 550xp, but the 550xp hangs with and in some RPM beats the 254.

The 254 was a dual-port design, the 550 a quad port, also stratified and auto tune to optimize mix. A little tweaking on carb screws can make a big difference on the 254.

 

[Red97]

That’s a great comparison graph. What amazes me is the 254 has 4cc more displacement (almost 10%) than the 550xp, but the 550xp hangs with and in some RPM beats the 254.

The 254 was a dual-port design, the 550 a quad port, also stratified and auto tune to optimize mix. A little tweaking on carb screws can make a big difference on the 254.

550 is a dual port as well. Just 2 strato ports.

Tune dosent appear to make much if any difference on peak power/tq on the dyno.

Now a leaner tune will show better power above peak hp rpm. That has to do with the way I load the saws.

High Rpm no load to full load low Rpm. So the graphs I posted should be read right to left.

 

[Derf]

The 254 actually runs better a fuzz rich. But I know what you’re saying.

Also, since there were a couple different jugs used on the 254, some were “spicier” than others.

Still amazed at the fuel efficiency and AV of the 550MK2 compared with the 254.

 

[holeycow]

That's one reason pre-epa saws make "better" power than post-ones; they burn more fuel. Fatter jetting makes "better" power through the range.

 

[Lee192233]

Hey all,

After a long wait for parts and getting through deer hunting and wood gathering I finally was able to make some progress. Got the case together successfully and installed the cylinder and piston.

She ain't gonna be pretty but I think she'll cut.

Thanks,
Lee

 

[Lee192233]

Definitely isn't pretty. Just have to fix the muffler. I'm going to block the side exit so it doesn't melt the brake cover/flag. I'm thinking I'll come off the front shell of the muffler with a 3/4" pipe somehow. I want it to look clean.

Should have it running this week.

Lee

 

[Lee192233]

Fired it up today. The outlet for the muffler is covered in oil from the crankcase. I like em to be wet the first time I fire them up.

All I can say is holy crap this thing rips. I have it tuned pretty fat but the throttle response is impressive. Can't wait to put it in wood tomorrow.

 

[Huskvarna hotellgäst]

Fired it up today. The outlet for the muffler is covered in oil from the crankcase. I like em to be wet the first time I fire them up.
All I can say is holy crap this thing rips. I have it tuned pretty fat but the throttle response is impressive. Can't wait to put it in wood tomorrow.

There's not a lot of mass in the flywheel.

 

[Swogg]

I put one together a few months ago.
Routine hobby stuff. .018" squish.
7/8" x. 3/4" tubing out the pto side corner. 5° ignition timing advance.
I threw the stock carb in with spare parts and used an HDA120 from a 257.
Dremel and burrs to remove alot of unnecessary plastic in AF holder/elbow and the AF itself. Really helps to flow more air which is my objective.
Eight pin with the 3/8" 16" bar and chain. Two fuel loads through it so far and a bit fat, but a very agressive cutter for simple little things that a non pro builder such as myself can do.
Husky made a great little saw.

 

[4CornersPuddle]

lee and swogg, those are a couple of good looking old saws.
Have you, or anyone else here on the site, have a reasonable comparison between these goodies and the very common Husky 350s? We do not see many 200 series of Huskys around here, except for 288s.

 

[Swogg]

lee and swogg, those are a couple of good looking old saws.
Have you, or anyone else here on the site, have a reasonable comparison between these goodies and the very common Husky 350s? We do not see many 200 series of Huskys around here, except for 288s.

Sorry. The smallest 300 series Husky I have operated is 357XP.
Most likely there are members of this site much more qualified and informed to answer that question than me.

 

[82F100SWB]

The 254 is a full horsepower more than a 350. They really aren't in the same class. The 357 is the 254's successor.

 

[4CornersPuddle]

Thanks, both of you, Swogg and 82F

 

[Lee192233]

lee and swogg, those are a couple of good looking old saws.
Have you, or anyone else here on the site, have a reasonable comparison between these goodies and the very common Husky 350s? We do not see many 200 series of Huskys around here, except for 288s.

Sorry for not getting back to you sooner. Thanks for the compliment. This is my first Husky so I don't have anything to compare it to besides my 026. I can't wait to run them side by side. From what I can feel just by snapping the throttle the 254 has a bit more power. Won't know until I have them running through wood.

Thanks again,
Lee

 

[Lee192233]

Well, this thing is awesome! Lightweight, more power than the 026, fun to cut with and starts easily. Just have a few things to work out yet. The fast idle lock sticks sometimes, small leak from the gas tank and I need to replace both caps.

I'm not a fan of the flimsy clutch cover/brake assembly. It also drips a little bar oil when sitting.

I think it's a good addition to my collection. It's going to work well for bucking smaller logs.

Lee