My 346xp

[Haywire Haywood]

After going back and forth (and back and forth and back and forth as is the norm for me) about whether to bite the bullet and rebuild it or not, I compared the cost of the top end ($230) to what saw I could buy with the same amount for use as a limbing saw. What I found was not unexpected. You just can't get much saw for that. So..... I think (at least till I change my mind again) I will eventually rebuild it, but go from the stock 7 to an 8 tooth 325 sprocket and keep the 16" bar with the intent for it to be a dedicated limbing saw. The largest wood I expect it to see is 8-12".

Will it have enough power to run that 8 tooth sprocket in 12" hardwood? I'll be giving it a muffler mod too I expect.

Just running ideas thru my head. I won't be rebuilding it till christmas bonus time,
Ian

 

[rahtreelimbs]

Personally I would run a 7 tooth simply because the 346 spins pretty fast to start with. Will it pull an 8 tooth? Sure, but you need to pay attention a little more as there will be a loss in torque.


Muffler mods help the 346 and are easy to do on that saw. If you do the "screen between the bracket and the muffler" no welding is needed!

 

[manual]

Well I see you also have a 361. Thats good enough for your needs in larger wood.
That 346 is a great saw It will cut 12 logs also. My thoughts would be use a 7 tooth sprocket. She has the rpms to throw chips.
If you are thinking of selling it PM me with a price I Know someone that ran one over in a skidder and I think the jug is ok.

 

[Haywire Haywood]

If you do the "screen between the bracket and the muffler" no welding is needed!

thanks... can you expand on muffler mod? I tried to seperate the halves today, but didn't have any luck. I was going to open up the existing hole behind the deflector.

Ian

 

[rickyrooster]

Husqvarna 346 Xp

What You Could Do Is Set The Saw On The Shelf And Watch The Online Auctions Till A Good Cylinder Is Listed And Buy A New Piston And Ring To Use With It. It Will Save A Bunch Of Cash And Your Saw Wont Know The Difference. Most Of The Time The Cylinders Will Clean Up Like New Again With A Little Work. Have You Tried Clean Out The Scoring. Finding A Parts Saw Is Also An Option. Good Luck

 

[rahtreelimbs]

thanks... can you expand on muffler mod? I tried to separate the halves today, but didn't have any luck. I was going to open up the existing hole behind the deflector.

Ian

Sorry for the quality! This was a quicky pic............but you will get the idea. You just need to put a hole in the bracket and the muffler (mine are roughly 1/2"). Hopefully your muffler is open on the inside with no other restrictions. If there are other restrictions they will have to be removed too!

 

[Haywire Haywood]

yea, been watching ebay and did a few net searches for used chainsaw parts dealers. I contacted 3 or 4 with no luck. One actually needed a top end himself. Said they were hard to come by.

Ian

 

[04ultra]

Haywire Haywood ... Rich does real nice work..

 

[rahtreelimbs]

Haywire Haywood Rich does real nice work..

Thanx, but I can't take the credit for this one. This one is off of my Dan Henry PP346 that he did.

I have done my EHP372's in this fashion and it is simply and works.

You do tend to warm the wood you are cuttin' a bit. Never bothered me tho!!!

 

[Haywire Haywood]

Sorry for the quality! This was a quicky pic.

Perfect. thanks, i didn't think of that.
Ian

 

[Haywire Haywood]

Is the muffler crimped or brazed together? I couldn't get it to budge today.

Ian

 

[rbtree]

Haywire, have you confirmed that the cylinder is toast? Often it will look bad, but will mainly have transferred aluminum on it, but no bad scratches. Perhaps it can be lightly honed. Then all you need is a ring and piston.

I run .325 8 tooth on mine, but it is fully modded and has gobs of power.

 

[Haywire Haywood]

Hmm... got the flashlight out, and it's possible that what I am seeing is aluminum transfer. I can't tell. How would you clean the aluminum out if it is just transfer?

Ian

 

[Urbicide]

Is the muffler crimped or brazed together? I couldn't get it to budge today.

Ian

Brazed.

 

[manual]

Hmm... got the flashlight out, and it's possible that what I am seeing is aluminum transfer. I can't tell. How would you clean the aluminum out if it is just transfer?

Ian

Do a search for ( scored piston ) Started by Mr_Bushcutter.
Lots of info you are looking for on the 346.
Also search for (Husky 272 hop up) by Gypo Logger
Or just try miratic acid and a Scotch Bright if you don't feel like reading.

 

[Haywire Haywood]

I'll try that muratic acid and scotch brite tomorrow. My better half has my digital camera at work. I'll get it tomorrow and post some pics.

thanks,
Ian

 

[Drive_1305]

$230 is over half the price of a new saw. My opinion, its not worth it. Sell your saw on ebay. Take what you get out of it add the $230 and you put it toward a new one. I see them $390, free shipping, extra chain online. I've got $215 in 3 old saws thats nothing to brag about. Wish I had bought a new Husky 350 for $288.

 

[Haywire Haywood]

Wadda ya know... the acid thing worked out very well today. It took awhile, and about 5 soakings with the acid but the area above the exhaust port is almost completely restored. I can see some scuffs, but no gouges and I can't feel anything with my fingernail. no catches, no noticable rough spots. I still have some work to do below the port but I think it will work out. Think there's a chance for just a ring change?

Ian

 

[HiOctane]

Wadda ya know... the acid thing worked out very well today. It took awhile, and about 5 soakings with the acid but the area above the exhaust port is almost completely restored. I can see some scuffs, but no gouges and I can't feel anything with my fingernail. no catches, no noticable rough spots. I still have some work to do below the port tho but I think it will work out. Think there's a chance for just a ring change?

Ian

Hmm,if you snadpaper the piston on the area of seizure,you can try a new ring only i think.Be sure the ring dont stay stuck in the groove.The piston dont seems to have many hours on it,we still see clearly the machining on it.

 

[rahtreelimbs]

Hmm,if you snadpaper the piston on the area of seizure,you can try a new ring only i think.Be sure the ring dont stay stuck in the groove.The piston dont seems to have many hours on it,we still see clearly the machining on it.

The ring groove can be cleaned up with a "sparkplug" file!