Husky 357xp flywheel key

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Nothing wrong with filing the key, it's only there to provide proper alignment in the factory, it's the jam fit of the flywheel on the taper end of the crank and correct torque of the nut that keeps it in place. If you are going to modify the timing, it's important to know what it is before you start. Most saws will already have the timing set for max advance which is 28-30 deg BTDC and if you advance it more than that, you will achieve nothing except possible engine damage and a lot of kickback when starting. You need a timing light and know how to use it before doing any timing modification.
 
Nothing wrong with filing the key, it's only there to provide proper alignment in the factory, it's the jam fit of the flywheel on the taper end of the crank and correct torque of the nut that keeps it in place. If you are going to modify the timing, it's important to know what it is before you start. Most saws will already have the timing set for max advance which is 28-30 deg BTDC and if you advance it more than that, you will achieve nothing except possible engine damage and a lot of kickback when starting. You need a timing light and know how to use it before doing any timing modification.
Some engines like more advanced, some do not. You just have to try it and see.
There is no such thing as max advance. You can advance the timing as much as you want, but keep in mind as you do the piston crown temp and sparkplug electrode are getting hotter and hotter. At some point you run into pre ignition or detonation and its game over.
 
I have a decent understanding how ignition timing works in general. At least in car engines not really in a chainsaw. I was more curious if anyone has advanced the timing on a 357xp (or any of the similar models like a 359) and if it made any difference and if it was worth messing with.
 
I would be very cautious about doing this. Especially of the 357 flywheel is no longer available.
Yeah that's why I was asking. I didn't realize the key was integral in the flywheel and considering a flywheel for it is about $220.00 I'm a little reticent to try it lol. If it was a key that would be different. Just finished doing the metal band swap on this guy, new impulse, reringed the piston, cleaned up the piston crown and cylinder, deleted the carb limiters, removed the base gasket and piped it. Thing rips, love it. Goes nicely with my 346xp.
 
Some engines like more advanced, some do not. You just have to try it and see.
There is no such thing as max advance. You can advance the timing as much as you want, but keep in mind as you do the piston crown temp and sparkplug electrode are getting hotter and hotter. At some point you run into pre ignition or detonation and its game over.
I don't recall seeing any stock saw that is running more than 30 deg and I have never pushed it beyond this. What is the maximum advance that you have used and what criterion did you use to determine it was an improvement in performance? I'm not crazy about advancing the timing until engine damage occurs so you will know that was too much.
 
I don't recall seeing any stock saw that is running more than 30 deg and I have never pushed it beyond this. What is the maximum advance that you have used and what criterion did you use to determine it was an improvement in performance? I'm not crazy about advancing the timing until engine damage occurs so you will know that was too much.
Cr500 of certain years had an advance curve such that the peak was 33 degrees stock.
Can't speak to saws as I have never looked at the curves for them.
I am not crazy about advancing either because it takes away some insurance and it also can make the power curve more narrow.
However some saws with poorly designed ports like the Stihl 260 need it.
 
I did a timing advance on a 359, it liked it and runs better.
I took enough off the key to advance it half a cooling fin.
There's a used flywheel on fleabay for cheap that I might grab and try it. I'm just curious to see if it makes a difference. Right now the saw is an animal after the few changes I've made, very happy with it.
 
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