Husqvarna 359 for $25. Is it worth fixing ?

[BING38RT]

Well as you can see I picked up a Husqvarna 359 yesterday for $25. After I blew all the gunk off she looked to be in decent shape, that's is until I pulled the muffler and saw the scoring on the piston and when I looked back into the head I saw more scoring on the intake side.

She feels like she would have enough compression to fire up but eventually I'm going to have to rebuild it.

I know nothing about these saws, are they worth fixing ? Should I just bite the bullet and get a new head piston and ring now ? What would you guys do if it was you.

Also don't say buy a 372XP lol, I already have one. I mean for this specific saw. Is it worth it to fix her up proper ?

Thanks for any and all input.

 

[J D]

Pull the cylinder & it will likely clean up... if that's the case then throw a new piston & rings at it. If it's EPA plugged gut the muffler

 

[PJwoodcutter]

For 25 bucks the parts alone would recoup your money if the plastics are good. 359 was a good saw.

 

[singinwoodwackr]

Well as you can see I picked up a Husqvarna 359 yesterday for $25. After I blew all the gunk off she looked to be in decent shape, that's is until I pulled the muffler and saw the scoring on the piston and when I looked back into the head I saw more scoring on the intake side.

She feels like she would have enough compression to fire up but eventually I'm going to have to rebuild it.

I know nothing about these saws, are they worth fixing ? Should I just bite the bullet and get a new head piston and ring now ? What would you guys do if it was you.

Also don't say buy a 372XP lol, I already have one. I mean for this specific saw. Is it worth it to fix her up proper ?

Thanks for any and all input.

Well worth it.

 

[quattro.pilot]

100% Fix. do as JD says

 

[Gord404]

before you replace the parts I would give it a pressure vac test- doing a 372 xturq right now and for some reason the piston was trash but it held pressure and vac well so chalk it up to bad gas or something but at least I know the seals didn' take it out..- got a ported muffler on it so probably didn't adjust the carb to take the difference

 

[Bob Hedgecutter]

Fix it, sell it- get a 2159 .
When they were new and current- possibly the best of the sub 60cc saws available, certainly worth a refresh and you stole it for $25.
Has the green fuel cap so likely a later edition EPA choked up one, but should have the newer metal band on the manifold to cylinder junction.
Pressure and vac test if you can- they have some fun bits regarding the small impulse line people often miss checking and the 199 carbs can give "issues"- personally if it has a cat muffler, I have no issues replacing it with an aftermarket "open" one, but you can try gutting the original if you wish.

You are going to have to pull it down and see what is going on internally- that gives the chance to check over all the rest and the intake tract carefully.

I have a LOT of saws, from 35-125cc. If I had to own only one- my 2159 (Jonsered version of the 359) would be it.

 

[sean donato]

359 is a great saw. I'd be fixing it, whatever the issue is with it.

 

[NSEric]

I'd fix it, they're nice fire wood saws.
You can get a aftermarket top end dirt cheap if it needs it.
Test or replace the seals and intake clamp while you're at it, something happened to it to cause it to burn up.

 

[PJwoodcutter]

Yes check that intake clamp. That is probably what caused the scored piston. I think the later ones had the metal clamp. My 357 still has the plastic one. I am going to replace it pronto even though it still runs good and I want to keep it that way.

 

[Cantdog]

All good advice so far!! Definitely get rid of the cat muffler and do a metal intake clamp if those things haven’t already been done. For your $25 investment you scored….. no pun intended!!
Cyl looks like it would clean up just from the pics. I would stay with OEM on the cyl if it doesn’t. I would go with a meteor piston. You’ll end up with a real good runner on the cheap!
One last tip…. when you get ready to put it all together save yourself tons of grief and install the intake boot and carb on the cyl off the saw then install as a unit! You use a lot less foul words…. Trust me!! Good luck!!

 

[PJwoodcutter]

All good advice so far!! Definitely get rid of the cat muffler and do a metal intake clamp if those things haven’t already been done. For your $25 investment you scored….. no pun intended!!
Cyl looks like it would clean up just from the pics. I would stay with OEM on the cyl if it doesn’t. I would go with a meteor piston. You’ll end up with a real good runner on the cheap!
One last tip…. when you get ready to put it all together save yourself tons of grief and install the intake boot and carb on the cyl off the saw then install as a unit! You use a lot less foul words…. Trust me!! Good luck!!

Thats good to know on the intake boot.

 

[Cantdog]

Another quick bit concerning the metal clamp.......don't use the Husky one use metal clamp....pick up an intake clamp from a Stihl 034/036 etc. Cheap and adjustable......not something you have to bend metal to use like the Husky version!!!

 

[sean donato]

The ones I use are off a 390xp.

 

[Agrarian]

For 25 bucks the parts alone would recoup your money if the plastics are good. 359 was a good saw.

On eBay, the flywheel alone would more than double your money.

 

[HumBurner]

359 is a great saw. I'd be fixing it, whatever the issue is with it.

Agreed.

Ran half a tank through mine bringing home firewood after work. So smooth with power to boot. New chain pulled me forward a couple times cause I was leaning too far forward.

 

[Bob Hedgecutter]

The ones I use are off a 390xp.

I use the ones meant for Stihl 066's

 

[sean donato]

I use the ones meant for Stihl 066's

Honestly I think they are the same size. Probably made by the same company too.

 

[BING38RT]

before you replace the parts I would give it a pressure vac test- doing a 372 xturq right now and for some reason the piston was trash but it held pressure and vac well so chalk it up to bad gas or something but at least I know the seals didn' take it out..- got a ported muffler on it so probably didn't adjust the carb to take the difference

I've only ever done a compression test. Is there a way to do a vacuum test....do I need a fancy tool to do it or would it be something I'd have in my garage ?

I'm pretty new to saw building, I only have 7 clamshell's under my belt( all this winter ) and 2 pro saws so my experience.

Also fyi I bought this of a crackhead So I doubt he took care of anything. The bar has been over heated and turned blue in some spots.

 

[BING38RT]

Pull the cylinder & it will likely clean up... if that's the case then throw a new piston & rings at it. If it's EPA plugged gut the muffler

Is this an EPA restricted muffler ??