What older model chainsaw has the most durable engine?

[nygrappler]

Yeah I would agree a 460 isn't a great saw, I'd much rather have a 462........

Grew up running dad’s old Super Mac (from 70’s) and them a new 268 in mid 90’s. That Mac was heavy and my hands throbbed the next day every time I ran it for any length of time. The 268 was like stepping up to a Cadillac from a Chevette.

I now have a 365, 460, and 562. 20” bars on all three.

Love my 460. Has been reliable and always starts easily. I’ve cut at least 400 face cord (133 full cord) with it and that’s felling, limbing and bucking. It is definitely underpowered for a 24” bar, but pulls a 20” well.

My biggest advice is ALWAYS use non-ethanol in your mix.

My 365 is 22 years old and still runs strong. Downside is it starts hard when not run for a month or more due to not having a primer bulb. But once it fires, it’s good to go.

Just got the 562 last fall. Love it so far, but not many hours on it yet.

None of mine are old, but I had to speak up for the 460. It’s been very solid.

 

[HuskyShepherd2016]

You’ve had a number of saws that have been very good to you.

 

[LuDookie]

Pioneer made very impressive. Professional saws . Originally manufactured within Peterbough Ontario. The reliability of older saws is that they were produced with magnesium bodies & steel or Alluminium trim . They also produced more than adequate horsepower for their displacement & often produced dsimpressive torgue at lower rpm's due to reed valves , along with chrome cylinders or rings & introduction of electronic ignition modules . Eventually Pioneer headed south to Louisiana & merged with Partner saws Ltd. Afterward's Pioneer-Partner evolved into Poulan Ltd. again , making some very stout saws in the mid 70's to late 80's .

I’ve got an 81 model Farmsaw. It’s been used its whole life for firewood duty, only taking a few years off about a decade ago. Other than bars and chains it’s all original. I only use it nowadays to keep fresh gas through it but there’s just something I like about that saw. Wasn’t pro model or anything but I feel like today’s machines pale in comparison to the old ones when it comes to build quality.

 

[North by Northwest]

I’ve got an 81 model Farmsaw. It’s been used its whole life for firewood duty, only taking a few years off about a decade ago. Other than bars and chains it’s all original. I only use it nowadays to keep fresh gas through it but there’s just something I like about that saw. Wasn’t pro model or anything but I feel like today’s machines pale in comparison to the old ones when it comes to build quality.

The 80's vintage farm saws were the last of the Pioneer professional series saws 60 cc class saws very stout . My Pioneers are P20 50cc , 1160 58cc , P38 58 cc & P51 82cc. They are 60's era & 70's era saws , that still get used once or twice a year . Very stout saws scary torgue for their displacement , none have chain brakes therefore get limited use !

 

[North by Northwest]

You’re making me really glad that I’ve got a couple of 041’s! One’s a super and the other one is a cherry condition 041AV, that I have a 041 super cylinder for that I am going to get my local Stihl dealer/mechanic install on it. Both have chain brakes too…that’s a plus!

The 041 series was a professional grade saw used mostly for firewood use . Commercially the 044 & 046 & magnum got the brunt of the commercial felling . They compared very well with the Husquarna 371 & 385 xp series saw of the time . My uncle had a 041 that ran very similar to my P38 Pioneer , great firewood bucking saws !

 

[North by Northwest]

With all due respect good sir, you have brought nothing to this conversation but snarky comments and one upmamship and I’ve tried to act respectfully about it too. If you take issue with literally everything I have typed, that’s your problem, and you’re more than welcome to leave. Or you could just act respectfully like the rest of everyone else if that’s not too much of a chore for you.

Nah , Sean is just enlightening you brother . No harm no foul , actually he is quite correct imo within his annalogy of the MS 290 & MS 460 . Everyone has favorite form of saw , anyone for actually cutting for $$$ always favors a smooth & fast cutting saw , Mac & Pioneer or Homelite are not the go to options today for obvious reasons !

 

[HuskyShepherd2016]

Nah , Sean is just enlightening you brother . No harm no foul , actually he is quite correct imo within his annalogy of the MS 290 & MS 460 . Everyone has favorite form of saw , anyone for actually cutting for $$$ always favors a smooth & fast cutting saw , Mac & Pioneer or Homelite are not the go to options today for obvious reasons !

Well, I was not suggesting that a 290 is a pro grade saw, (however the dealer here used the sales pitch that it was) I was just saying that I don’t really like it all in all. If it was worded like he thought that’s what I was saying, I’d appreciate it if he’d ask me ti clarify if that’s what I meant. Besides, respectfully, It’s not my fault that my area’s Stihl dealer here once upon a time, did have the 290 listed as a pro saw back when they were still in production. As badly as at performs after it warms up, I had a hard time believing that too.

And Sean’s analogy that a Poulan 245a is like preferring a model-t versus walking is badly off and I’m not gonna sit there and be ok with his attempts to try to publicly embarrass me. That analogy is like me saying that the 245a is only one step up from an axe or a hand saw. Ridiculous. I’ll be cool with him if he stops coming off like a one upper.

 

[snobdds]

My dad's favorite saw is a 290. So I keep it maintained for him. He likes it because it's easy to start after his shoulder surgery.

It's not a bad saw. Just keep it maintained and it will work just fine.

As far as most reliable engine...that would be my Mac super 250. It's over 60 years old and runs like it should. It's my small stumping saw. Not an easy life.

 

[HuskyShepherd2016]

My dad's favorite saw is a 290. So I keep it maintained for him. He likes it because it's easy to start after his shoulder surgery.

It's not a bad saw. Just keep it maintained and it will work just fine.

As far as most reliable engine...that would be my Mac super 250. It's over 60 years old and runs like it should. It's my small stumping saw. Not an easy life.

Although I don’t own a super 250, but if it is anything like my 1-52, it’s fine by me. They sure are similar spec wise.

 

[Bob Hedgecutter]

Well, I was not suggesting that a 290 is a pro grade saw, (however the dealer here used the sales pitch that it was) I was just saying that I don’t really like it all in all. If it was worded like he thought that’s what I was saying, I’d appreciate it if he’d ask me ti clarify if that’s what I meant. Besides, respectfully, It’s not my fault that my area’s Stihl dealer here once upon a time, did have the 290 listed as a pro saw back when they were still in production. As badly as at performs after it warms up, I had a hard time believing that too.

And Sean’s analogy that a Poulan 245a is like preferring a model-t versus walking is badly off and I’m not gonna sit there and be ok with his attempts to try to publicly embarrass me. That analogy is like me saying that the 245a is only one step up from an axe or a hand saw. Ridiculous. I’ll be cool with him if he stops coming off like a one upper.

If you were to sit down and draw a line graph of the evolution of the chainsaw from the axe and the automobile from walking, from inception to the modern day- both the Poulan 245A and the Model T are both placed fairly close to the beginning of both lines, the 245A would be a long ways back from the MS290 (never a pro grade saw- Farm Boss yes- but not pro) and the MS460.

 

[snobdds]

Although I don’t own a super 250, but if they see anything like my 1-52, it’s fine by me.

I think it's the same engine.

Those old Mcculloch big block motors were bombproof.

 

[HuskyShepherd2016]

I think it's the same engine.

Those old Mcculloch big block motors were bombproof.

Heck I’ve even got a 200 that’s known for being a little less powerful due to less exhaust flow capabilities, but I still like it a great deal. I plan on putting a 1-53 or a super 250 engine in it because the rest of the saw is in fantastic shape.

 

[North by Northwest]

Well, I was not suggesting that a 290 is a pro grade saw, (however the dealer here used the sales pitch that it was) I was just saying that I don’t really like it all in all. If it was worded like he thought that’s what I was saying, I’d appreciate it if he’d ask me ti clarify if that’s what I meant. Besides, respectfully, It’s not my fault that my area’s Stihl dealer here once upon a time, did have the 290 listed as a pro saw back when they were still in production. As badly as at performs after it warms up, I had a hard time believing that too.

And Sean’s analogy that a Poulan 245a is like preferring a model-t versus walking is badly off and I’m not gonna sit there and be ok with his attempts to try to publicly embarrass me. That analogy is like me saying that the 245a is only one step up from an axe or a hand saw. Ridiculous. I’ll be cool with him if he stops coming off like a one upper.

The MS290 & MS291 were Prosumer saws at best , much the same as the MS390 . Comparible to the Husquarna Rancher series saws 51 on through the 450 455 & 460 & 465 saws . Good firewood getters , no doubt . The 245A was another Shrevport L. Pioneer clone , a 70 cc class torgue monster . Old school saw , that was a very well made saw for its day. As was the Model T in its day . Neither one would put food on the table in todays commercial felling & transportation realm , is what he was trying to convey brother ! Many of us cherish our old antique or vintage saws , others not quite so much . That's ok more for us lol , right ?

 

[HuskyShepherd2016]

The MS290 & MS291 were Prosumer saws at best , much the same as the MS390 . Comparible to the Husquarna Rancher series saws 51 on through the 450 455 & 460 & 465 saws . Good firewood getters , no doubt . The 245A was another Shrevport L. Pioneer clone , a 70 cc class torgue monster . Old school saw , that was a very well made saw for its day. As was the Model T in its day . Neither one would put food on the table in todays commercial felling & transportation realm , is what he was trying to convey brother ! Many of us cherish our old antique or vintage saws , other not quite so much . That's ok more for us lol , right ?

Well, I’d like to get back on track if that’s ok.

 

[cookies]

Just muff mod that 290 then its pro

 

[HuskyShepherd2016]

Just muff mod that 290 then its pro

 

[.358 win]

I liked the Stihl 029 farm boss. Good power, good chain speed, low vib, all around solid saw.. didn't really like the top handle....... Hands down favorite of all is Jonsered 630... It rips,, only thing replaced since new was the ignition mag & mod.. It's cut "a lot" of wood since new.. Oh, and the stator for the heated handles,,, Still blows 160 lbs on a comp gauge Still is my go to saw.. Just my two cents....

 

[HuskyShepherd2016]

I liked the Stihl 029 farm boss. Good power, good chain speed, low vib, all around solid saw.. didn't really like the top handle....... Hands down favorite of all is Jonsered 630... It rips,, only thing replaced since new was the ignition mag & mod.. It's cut "a lot" of wood since new.. Oh, and the stator for the heated handles,,, Still blows 160 lbs on a comp gauge Still is my go to saw.. Just my two cents....

160lbs after how long?

 

[.358 win]

160lbs after how long?

I've had it since the late 80's.. Don't ask exactly when cause I would be guessing...

 

[HuskyShepherd2016]

160lbs after how long?

No that’s really good!