I watched this video with great interest, I purchased my 51 brand new in 1990 for $187 with 2 18" bars and chains, a carrying case, 6 pack of husky 2 cycle oil and 1 gal of husky bar oil when my local Quality Farm and Fleet was going out of business. I have cut many cords of fire wood with this saw with not one issue. The only things I have replaced are bar and chains, spark plugs and fuel lines with filter and air filters. I have run this saw at 32:1 from day 1 and done yearly maintenance on it to keep it in top shape. This saw has carried a 20" .325 .058 full chisel bar and chain for many years now and cuts with plenty of grunt. This is the biggest running saw I have used to present time until I get my 575's completed. I also just received my Huztl 066 and am looking forward to putting it together, but I still love my 51 and I am looking forward to the upcoming videos on this class of saws. Can't wait Thanks Guys
Excellent video here - Much appreciate the 55 family class! I purchased a new 55 Rancher (no compression release in I believe about 1998/99 to replace wore out Stihl 026 because when I went to Stihl dealer the price was I thought too high - So went down to the feed / Hardware who had just started carrying Huskvarna Saws - Put my hands on the 55 for about $300.00 come home put in the wood pile & noticed right away more grunt - The ole 55 has been the best firewood saw I've ever owned hands down period! Grew up on many Mac's (Dad's favorite) in the 80'd started running Stihls- mainly for firewood & some pulp - I will always own 55 as far as I can see there's a gazillion of parts around - when time comes might try one of them low cost China kit - anyway I degress & rambling on here but have strong affection for my old 55 - Thanks for the video!
Honestly the cheap 40 dollar Chinese kits might make good power. The hyway closed port cylinders should make better torque your going from a 40 dollar cylinder to a 100 dollar cylinder and remember you get what you pay for. Hutzl quality is good but as Walter explains hyway is a bit better quality.
Ive got around 25 new husq/Poulin/echo 3/8ths bars 15+stihl bars and 150 new stihl chains 6 are carbide. 30 new husqvarna Oregon chains a dozen poulan homelite chains, 20 new carlton chains and a few makita/dolmars too.
This is awesome I just rebuilt a 51 rancher that I picked up with a 46mm huztl P&C. After working on this saw I fell in love with this series due to their simple design. I'm also in NY, I may just have to make a trip to see Bob and pick up some parts saws for this family :)
I know this is an older post but I had to comment about my Husqvarna 55 build, A water flood salvage that set for several months that was purchased for $20, all parts are aftermarket, new crank, bearings, piston & cylinder, fuel line & filter, pulse grommet, rebuilt carb, clutch & drum, gas & oil cap, and new champion spark plug and probably a couple more things I'm forgetting. I have a grand total of $125 in it.
I have a Husqvarna 55 Rancher with 18" bar and chain in like almost new condition, I purchased it about a year ago and was used maybe 3 times then put away in storage and forgotten for almost 16 years,, was amazed at how it still looked like new
Hey, I recognize that pile of saws! I really should've picked through it when I was out there, I got 2 154se projects this month that mainly need parts they share with the 50-55 series. Next time!
Great video with a lot of useful information on the "51/55" family. The video focused on salvaging these saws to have 50 cc class saw on a budget and focused on top end rebuilds. But with the age of these saws, what about the bottom end? My 1998 Husky 55 needs new seals and I might as well swap out the bearings. My guess is most of these "rejuvenated" saws will need a bottom rebuild also at some point in the new life......
I think its one of the best consumer saws that Husqvarna has build. The are so close in design to a 154/254 that if you line up a crankcase half of a 154 and 50/51 than will one locating pin and 2 or 3 bolt holes line up perfectly, and a big part of the case lines up nicely. and the share the same tank. and if i remember correctly, the crankshaft is also used in the Husqvarna 40 and 45, and strangely enough, in the 240R and 245R brush cutters, what also shares the piston and cylinder of the 40/45 chainsaw. I think that design has a lot of Partner influences. Husqvarna did have used on more of the older brush cutters, chainsaw parts, the 244 for example shares the piston and cylinder with the 444 chainsaw. and the 165R shares the cylinder with a chainsaw.
I restored a 490 and ported it but now I need crank bearing seals. What are my options? Are there seals from a 50 special or a 55 that will work or do I need to take the top end and put it on 50 or 55?
Oh, and on the case changes from ~'89, it's really not hard to modify them to fit the larger cylinders. I have an '85 that someone modified to take an NWP 46mm cylinder. Use a base gasket as a template, stuff the crank well with rags to keep the chips out, and 5 minutes of grinding. Love the concept, these things are ubiquitous and CHEAP. I've worked on many, kept 3, and use my white top 50 Rancher often.
I have a rancher 55, that looks brand new, And runs like brand new. That i just bought at a flea market. So the bad, It's over oiling the chain, and leaking a huge amount of bar oil when siting. I looked at the oil pump and its non adjustable. Any suggestions thanks.
I have a late model 55 sitting on the shelf that was indeed purchased for $25, and total with brant new oegon B&C I've got 120 in it. It ran great.. still starts and idles but won't rev. SOO question for the experts. it will idle for days.. and when first starting it will rev fine too, after about a minute it becomes almost air locked.. if I just burp the fuel cap it will rev fine again for about a minute... I replaced the tank vent.. same problem.. thinking maybe a faulty part I replaced the vent again.. same problem.. what next? the intake is sealed up good. I epoxied 2 nuts to the back side of the "partition" so I have a solid machine thread to tighten things down and bonded the "rubber band" in place with motoseal... I put an aftermarket top end on it.. no base gasket and motosealed the cylinder down.. re-did that twice thinking maybe I had an air leak.. the only thing I haven't tried is seals.. I replaced the grommet in the cylinder for the intake pipe although mine was fine.... if I had a leaky seal could it prevent enough impulse from getting into the carb???
Just a quick question to walt. I'm wondering if hyways 46mm pop up piston for the husqvarna 357 would work in a husqvarna 55 46mm topend or the jonsred 490 closed port 46mm cylinder I'm very curious to try it and see.
hey guys, i bought a 61 that had only been run four times from a wa. state fire dept. two "new" bars and chains. reason was it won't oil the bar. (both bars looked brand new=but were wasted from running with no oil.) pulled the muffler and the piston and bore are immaculate, not scratch one. i've bought three oiler kits, (one was seized when i got it=the set screw on the pump plunger gear came out during shipping and jammed itself facing into the oiler body), anyway, short story is i've got the third pump in it and new tank line and screen-it won't pump oil. haven't gone to splitting the case and going for pipe cleaners yet, thought i'd ask you guys first-you're awesome! i've learned tons from you guys. any ideas?
I run old macs i will get everyone i find. As you said aboit people with wrong info its the same with the old macs people post that they are junk and not worth anything buy i think otherwise. Great old saw
The parts might be cheap for you guys in the states. In Canada we get bent over the counter and then raped in the parking lot. That's nothing compared to what happens at tax time!
They aren't. Both saw manufacturers make excellent products. You can argue one saw vs. another in sizes or specific markets, but both company's are at the top of the chainsaw manufacturing food chain.
I watched this video with great interest, I purchased my 51 brand new in 1990 for $187 with 2 18" bars and chains, a carrying case, 6 pack of husky 2 cycle oil and 1 gal of husky bar oil when my local Quality Farm and Fleet was going out of business. I have cut many cords of fire wood with this saw with not one issue. The only things I have replaced are bar and chains, spark plugs and fuel lines with filter and air filters. I have run this saw at 32:1 from day 1 and done yearly maintenance on it to keep it in top shape. This saw has carried a 20" .325 .058 full chisel bar and chain for many years now and cuts with plenty of grunt. This is the biggest running saw I have used to present time until I get my 575's completed. I also just received my Huztl 066 and am looking forward to putting it together, but I still love my 51 and I am looking forward to the upcoming videos on this class of saws. Can't wait
Thanks Guys
Excellent video here - Much appreciate the 55 family class! I purchased a new 55 Rancher (no compression release in I believe about 1998/99 to replace wore out Stihl 026 because when I went to Stihl dealer the price was I thought too high - So went down to the feed / Hardware who had just started carrying Huskvarna Saws - Put my hands on the 55 for about $300.00 come home put in the wood pile & noticed right away more grunt - The ole 55 has been the best firewood saw I've ever owned hands down period! Grew up on many Mac's (Dad's favorite) in the 80'd started running Stihls- mainly for firewood & some pulp - I will always own 55 as far as I can see there's a gazillion of parts around - when time comes might try one of them low cost China kit - anyway I degress & rambling on here but have strong affection for my old 55 - Thanks for the video!
Honestly the cheap 40 dollar Chinese kits might make good power. The hyway closed port cylinders should make better torque your going from a 40 dollar cylinder to a 100 dollar cylinder and remember you get what you pay for. Hutzl quality is good but as Walter explains hyway is a bit better quality.
Ive got around 25 new husq/Poulin/echo 3/8ths bars 15+stihl bars and 150 new stihl chains 6 are carbide. 30 new husqvarna Oregon chains a dozen poulan homelite chains, 20 new carlton chains and a few makita/dolmars too.
Walt you were smiling like a chessie cat. I would be a kid in a candy store too. Love it man
How Bob keeps all his knowledge strait and in line is amazing...great stuff guys!!
This is awesome I just rebuilt a 51 rancher that I picked up with a 46mm huztl P&C. After working on this saw I fell in love with this series due to their simple design. I'm also in NY, I may just have to make a trip to see Bob and pick up some parts saws for this family :)
Good God my heart is still pounding. Give me a week in Bobs shop and I will have enough saws to keep my other running saws company!
I know this is an older post but I had to comment about my Husqvarna 55 build, A water flood salvage that set for several months that was purchased for $20, all parts are aftermarket, new crank, bearings, piston & cylinder, fuel line & filter, pulse grommet, rebuilt carb, clutch & drum, gas & oil cap, and new champion spark plug and probably a couple more things I'm forgetting. I have a grand total of $125 in it.
I have a Husqvarna 55 Rancher with 18" bar and chain in like almost new condition, I purchased it about a year ago and was used maybe 3 times then put away in storage and forgotten for almost 16 years,, was amazed at how it still looked like new
Definitely interested in this series of videos. You guys are giving me ideas.......
Hey, I recognize that pile of saws! I really should've picked through it when I was out there, I got 2 154se projects this month that mainly need parts they share with the 50-55 series. Next time!
Thanks for sharing your invaluable knowledge 👌💨💨
Great video with a lot of useful information on the "51/55" family. The video focused on salvaging these saws to have 50 cc class saw on a budget and focused on top end rebuilds. But with the age of these saws, what about the bottom end? My 1998 Husky 55 needs new seals and I might as well swap out the bearings. My guess is most of these "rejuvenated" saws will need a bottom rebuild also at some point in the new life......
SUPER IMPORTANT POINT BY BOB.... gotta make sure you buy complete saws... too many other parts throw you over budget EASY
That's how I've gotten most of my saws and its also got me in pretty good with the dealers and small engine shops around here
I think its one of the best consumer saws that Husqvarna has build. The are so close in design to a 154/254 that if you line up a crankcase half of a 154 and 50/51 than will one locating pin and 2 or 3 bolt holes line up perfectly, and a big part of the case lines up nicely. and the share the same tank.
and if i remember correctly, the crankshaft is also used in the Husqvarna 40 and 45, and strangely enough, in the 240R and 245R brush cutters, what also shares the piston and cylinder of the 40/45 chainsaw.
I think that design has a lot of Partner influences.
Husqvarna did have used on more of the older brush cutters, chainsaw parts, the 244 for example shares the piston and cylinder with the 444 chainsaw. and the 165R shares the cylinder with a chainsaw.
you're video's have so much value thank you
should be an interesting series to follow.Here those same salvage saws here would be 100 plus.Shur wish i lived closer lol.
Great little saw for less than 200.00 I have put together several of these saw , good show!
I restored a 490 and ported it but now I need crank bearing seals. What are my options? Are there seals from a 50 special or a 55 that will work or do I need to take the top end and put it on 50 or 55?
Oh, and on the case changes from ~'89, it's really not hard to modify them to fit the larger cylinders. I have an '85 that someone modified to take an NWP 46mm cylinder. Use a base gasket as a template, stuff the crank well with rags to keep the chips out, and 5 minutes of grinding. Love the concept, these things are ubiquitous and CHEAP. I've worked on many, kept 3, and use my white top 50 Rancher often.
should be an interesting series to follow.Those salvage saws here would go for 100 plus depending on the dealer.Shur wish i live closer lol
I knew this was coming.i talked to bob yesterday about my xtorq.:)
Just had to revisit this because I just picked up a Pioneer/Partner 500.
Good idea. Do that, I like the 242 and the 254.
I have a rancher 55, that looks brand new, And runs like brand new. That i just bought at a flea market. So the bad, It's over oiling the chain, and leaking a huge amount of bar oil when siting. I looked at the oil pump and its non adjustable. Any suggestions thanks.
I have a late model 55 sitting on the shelf that was indeed purchased for $25, and total with brant new oegon B&C I've got 120 in it. It ran great.. still starts and idles but won't rev. SOO question for the experts. it will idle for days.. and when first starting it will rev fine too, after about a minute it becomes almost air locked.. if I just burp the fuel cap it will rev fine again for about a minute... I replaced the tank vent.. same problem.. thinking maybe a faulty part I replaced the vent again.. same problem.. what next? the intake is sealed up good. I epoxied 2 nuts to the back side of the "partition" so I have a solid machine thread to tighten things down and bonded the "rubber band" in place with motoseal... I put an aftermarket top end on it.. no base gasket and motosealed the cylinder down.. re-did that twice thinking maybe I had an air leak.. the only thing I haven't tried is seals.. I replaced the grommet in the cylinder for the intake pipe although mine was fine.... if I had a leaky seal could it prevent enough impulse from getting into the carb???
Just a quick question to walt. I'm wondering if hyways 46mm pop up piston for the husqvarna 357 would work in a husqvarna 55 46mm topend or the jonsred 490 closed port 46mm cylinder I'm very curious to try it and see.
I just recently purchased a second hand white top 50 rancher. The thing either cuts out after 10 mins of use :/ any ideas be very much apreciated ?
hey guys, i bought a 61 that had only been run four times from a wa. state fire dept. two "new" bars and chains. reason was it won't oil the bar. (both bars looked brand new=but were wasted from running with no oil.) pulled the muffler and the piston and bore are immaculate, not scratch one. i've bought three oiler kits, (one was seized when i got it=the set screw on the pump plunger gear came out during shipping and jammed itself facing into the oiler body), anyway, short story is i've got the third pump in it and new tank line and screen-it won't pump oil. haven't gone to splitting the case and going for pipe cleaners yet, thought i'd ask you guys first-you're awesome! i've learned tons from you guys. any ideas?
Are those kits aftermarket? Or OEM from a dealer or eBay? I've had terrible luck with Aftermarket oil pumps.
@@afleetcommand CHEAPEST ONES WE COULD GET ONLINE. DIDN'T THINK OEM WAS AVAILABLE DUE TO THE SAW'S AGE. CAN YOU RECOMMEND A SOURCE?
what about jonsered 2150's? do you have any parts for them Bob? need a top cover and chain brake handle.
Is $225.00 a good deal on a 55 that’s like new?
So im working on a 455 xtorq.... how many parts are compatible?
nothing crossed between a 55 and 455
@@afleetcommand thanks walt. Im very new to the huskys
I run old macs i will get everyone i find. As you said aboit people with wrong info its the same with the old macs people post that they are junk and not worth anything buy i think otherwise. Great old saw
jeez... keep me out of bob's shop... would be cash flying all over the place
Nice chat guys. Showing Bob in a vid is click bait ya know that Eh . LOL
i will buy all of them
I'm gonna put this in the too good to be true category,( motor head)
The parts might be cheap for you guys in the states. In Canada we get bent over the counter and then raped in the parking lot. That's nothing compared to what happens at tax time!
I'm getting feed back about that, not just Canada, but all the "Common wealth" type places. AND unfortunately prices are going up here too.
I'm clearing five acres of poplar with a husky 240 because the 465 almost 700$ at Canadian tire
I'll give him $50 for a box full
Why is husky better than sthil honesty
They aren't. Both saw manufacturers make excellent products. You can argue one saw vs. another in sizes or specific markets, but both company's are at the top of the chainsaw manufacturing food chain.
they aren't Rodney turner