Husqvarna 353 factory or true closed port cylinder?

[Pioneer]

I just bought a Husqvarna 353 saw in parts that came with a OEM 45mm "semi" closed port cylinder. The cylinder is in good shape, but needs a new piston. Should I just run it or go to a "true" closed port like the kind offered by highway or Husqvarna?

 

[huskihl]

Depends on what you want to spend. A new oem 346 cylinder is usually under $100 on ebay

 

[a. palmer jr.]

I can't tell much difference between my 353 and my 346xp..

 

[John Lyngdal]

I can't tell much difference between my 353 and my 346xp..

You should see another 2k of engine RPM with the 346 vs the 353.
In wood speed is nice, but torque rules.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

You should see another 2k of engine RPM with the 346 vs the 353.
In wood speed is nice, but torque rules.

Maybe so but I seldom use the 346 because of lack of de-comp on thing, 353 much easier to start and gets the job done okay. I've owned both for several years but if either was to leave here it would be the 346..

 

[Aknutter]

544142908 has the decomp

 

[a. palmer jr.]

544142908 has the decomp

I have so many saws now for as few cutting jobs that I'll probably leave it as is and just use something else, usually the last saw I worked on..

 

[grizz55chev]

Maybe so but I seldom use the 346 because of lack of de-comp on thing, 353 much easier to start and gets the job done okay. I've owned both for several years but if either was to leave here it would be the 346..

You would be in the minority with that choice.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

You would be in the minority with that choice.

Also in the minority in my age. Easy starting is more of a priority than in the past..

 

[grizz55chev]

Also in the minority in my age. Easy starting is more of a priority than in the past..

I'm 68, I can appreciate this.

 

[9050LX]

Pretty fun to run that little hotrod 346 NE setup from the factory.The piston and cylinder kit will always have value to chainsaw guys if you don't like it.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

I've been gassing up my saws that don't get much use and giving them a little workout, I think maybe the 346 might be next...

 

[Pioneer]

Well, I checked out the OEM cylinder and the aftermarket cylinder that the saw came with. Both are OEM 353 style semi-close port. The aftermarket cylinder has pathetically tiny ports, and on top of that when you check timing with the port cover off at bottom dead center, only half the port gets uncovered by the piston! The OEM cylinder is a bit better, but the piston still blocks part of the port at bottom dead center.
The flow would be compromised in either case, so I can see why porting these cylinders is a popular job.
OEM and aftermarket cylinder compared, the port size and piston position at bottom dead center. The aftermarket cylinder is really bad, I can't see how this will flow much at all. Going with a base gasket delete makes matters even worse as it drops the cylinder and blocks even more of the port.
So the aftermarket cylinder is pretty much useless as is and is going to be used as a porting subject. The transfer ports will be widened considerably and raised slightly in part to make up for the base gasket delete. The intake is fairly generous and won't be touched, but the exhaust port will need some work as it's a bit on the small side.