Thread: Husky 353

Hey guys - I'm new to the forum. I recently got a Husky 353 and am looking to enhance its cutting-though it definitely whips that wild thing that I had. Reading through the threads, it appears that a muffler/mixture mod is fairly easy--It looks as if I can just poke two 1/2" or 5/'8" holes in the muffler and maybe weld nipples on them...I'm sure I have over simplified it.

As for chain, any thoughts. It came with a low vib (Oregon I think) chain - 0.325" / 0.050" with 0.025" tooth/raker height. What would be the best, most aggressive chain that I could put on it. Mainly, I cut around the house and for firewood-primarily semi-hard to hard woods, but occassionaly pine trees that are in my way!

If anyone out there has experience with this saw, I'd love to hear about it-I like it for what I do, but as Tim the toolman said.....More Power, ahhh ahhh ahhh.

thanks guys
bob

I'd be hesitant to advise you to use anything other than safety chain, or to add more power to an already adequate saw. Too many homeowners/weekend warriors getting hurt cuz they think they can handle it.

I have a 353 and replaced the stock muffler with a Walker muffler, richened the high speed carb adj. and it made a big difference in performance. I dremeled off the carb limiter caps to allow the full carb adj.

Thanks Rhamm-sounds like you're happy with the mods. From what I understand, you send Walker your muffler and either he modify's yours or sends you another one for like $30? Did you try to modify your muffler first or just go for the Walkerize? When you say you dremeled off the carb limiters, what exactly are you talking about-obviously I haven't had the hood up on this thing long enough to understand it fully. By the way, what chain do you run on it?

thanks
b

I'd leave it alone. The stock saw does a fine job.
I would just be sure and run a good full chisel pro chain (not dual raker) Carltom LM or Oregon LG

Thanks Rocky for the blunt answer. I understand carbs just fine, but I've never tried to "hop up" a saw before-simply tried to make the high/low speed mixture adjustments to get the accel right and the top end to four stroke slightly on other saws. Obviously I have never inspected the Husky carb before.

Can anyone explain the differences between the 353 and the 346xp. The 346 revs much higher, I assume its got a smaller stroke?

Will adding a Walker muffler/resetting the carb affect the upper end rpms, or simply give the engine more torque? Also, will this mod affect startability or idle?

Thanks Tom for the chain input-does Carlton or Oregon hold edges about the same, or is one more durable?

thanks again, guys. Y'all know way more than I do, but I'm gonna learn.
b

Hey Hokiebob,

If you don`t have a Dremel, a pair of dikes will usually get in there enough to remove the ears. You may need to remove the carb or upper engine shroud to get at the ears, but once in there, it`s easy. Don`t make the mistake of simply removing the limiters because the screwheads within are tiny and a real PITA to get a driver.

A Walker`s muffler does not negatively affect starting and your max rpm should remain the same. Proper carb adjustment is crucial.

I`m probably talking out my a$$ because it`s been quite a while since I checked, but the stroke is the same betwen these models. Anybody with access to their data want to check? The porting of the 346 is different than the 353 making for power at a higher range although through a narrower band.

Russ

Thanks Russ. So it sounds like the walker flattens the powerband somewhat and also bumps it up somewhat. Assuming the same chain in same wood, can the user really feel the difference?

Is it necessary to get teh Walker muffer, or can I simply port/gasket match, then put two 9/6" holies in the outside of the muffler with some sort of either tubing or shroud around it?

thanks again
bob

Hi Bob,

In response to your first question, OH YEAH BABY!

The answer to your second question is that you can do your own muffler the ways that you describe. There are many threads/posts on this forum regarding muffler mods. With any luck I could probably post a pic in the next couple of days, of the Walker`s muffler on my 346 that would give you some visual reference.

Russ

The stroke is the same on 346/353. 1.28 inches or 32.5 mm. Bore on the 353 is 1.77 in or .45 mm and the 346 is 1.65 in or .42 mm. I like me 353 pretty well, revs nicely and decent power. I cant honestly say ive ever run a 346 and after all the posts here about it I feel like i'm probably missing out. I would like to try one but I just cant justify buying another saw right now. Anyway, my shindaiwa 488 is still my all around favorite right now

Brent

bdenny,

Both my 488 and 346 have been worked over by Dennis Greffard...and both are great saws. The gains on the 346 were just a bit more, but the 488 is no slouch, and weighs 1/2 lb less.

If your's is stock, I highly recommend having it built, it'll cut 35-50% faster.