Dukes Saw Shop 346 xp 44.3 piston and cylinder kits.

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cranman1951

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hey Gang....I'm getting ready to convert one of my 350 Huskys to a 346 xp top end. I was looking through E-bay for OEM and found a 346xp aftermarket from Dukes for $58 free shipping. It was closed port 44.3 mm but casting looked rough in the picture....anyone have any experience with this one? Performance on par with OEM? I probably should pull the trigger on OEM, but I'm just so cheap....I mean frugal.
 
Thanks guys...Ammoaddict, thanks for that HLSupply tip...never dealt with them before. Anyway........I checked with Dukes and they claim that OEM is no longer available......HL Supply has both 346 versions, but over $120 and no free shipping. Ebay has a few for around $120......to my chagrin, HLsupply had a winter special on the 44.3 mm head and piston kit for $27.44.....yeah, I was weak and bought it. I've got enough 350 parts to make a running saw out of this cylinder combo to at least try it out. It is a knock off of OEM part number 5441429-08, and is definitely a quad port cylinder like the 346 design. I'll keep you all posted when it comes in and I can button it up and compare it to my 350/353 high compression project.
 
I'll probably end up with an OEM 350 /346 project, to compare the other saws too. I'm just doing this for giggles...if I was serious about cutting I'd use my 266xp or 262 xp. Thanks again for the inputs.
 
@cranman1951, I doubt if you talked to anyone at Dukes about the kit. He has several import versions and is also a Husqvarna Dealer. So yes he could of supplied you an OEM kit at a reasonable price. Chris is a good dude.
 
I messaged someone at Dukes this noontime. You know how the link in Facebook Messenger appears on the website. I saw the import cylinder on E-bay for I think $58, went to the dukes site to look around, then started a conversation with I assume a salesman. He told me that the import cylinders were poor quality, and I wouldn't be happy with them, the OEM 346 were NLA, and the ones I'd find would be too expensive. He tried to steer me to the HyWay 353 kit, which isn't what I wanted. The guy did sound knowledgeable and was very helpful. I've bought a few things from Dukes and was pleased with what I got. I would have pulled the trigger on the OEM from E-bay if I hadn't seen the kit from HLSupply for 27.44. It's hard to go wrong for that price.
 
I understand. I've dealt with home several times. His shop isn't far fr me. But when you said the OEM kit was no longer available something doesn't add up. Please post up some pics of your build when ready. If you need some used parts let me know.
 
Thanks for connecting with us! Let us know if we can help you with anything!




You sent Today at 11:24 AM​

I.m rebuilding a 346 xp Husky and would like to get a piston and cylinder that is built to OEM specs....


74335114_2098003213841472_2464976615591903232_o.jpg

SawSalvage.co sent Today at 11:34 AM​

Hey Harold!



SawSalvage.co sent Today at 11:34 AM
The OEM sets are NLA for a 346



SawSalvage.co sent Today at 11:34 AM
But you could get an OEM 350 top end and put it on




You sent Today at 11:35 AM​

How about aftermarket 44.3 mm closed port


74335114_2098003213841472_2464976615591903232_o.jpg

SawSalvage.co sent Today at 11:35 AM​

None of the aftermarket 346 sets are really very nice so I would recommend staying away from them



SawSalvage.co sent Today at 11:35 AM
They are "ok" but not even in the ball park of OEM




You sent Today at 11:36 AM​

What do you think of the 45mm 353 jugs with the popup piston?



You sent Today at 11:37 AM
Would that give similar performance to OEM 346


74335114_2098003213841472_2464976615591903232_o.jpg

SawSalvage.co sent Today at 11:38 AM​

We have the new Hyway TitaNikel sets



SawSalvage.co sent Today at 11:38 AM
They are super nice



SawSalvage.co sent Today at 11:38 AM
Current stock is flat top piston






You sent Today at 11:38 AM​

How about performance? I'm upgrading my 350


74335114_2098003213841472_2464976615591903232_o.jpg

SawSalvage.co sent Today at 11:38 AM​

Comparable to OEM




You sent Today at 11:38 AM​

OK thanks...I'll look for the oem 346
 
Thanks for your offer TLG....The NLA 346 cylinders may be just something recent? Anyway it will be fun and a learning experience doing a build with the aftermarket piston and cylinder.
 
I'll have to check with Chris and see what's up. I appreciate the feedback/conversation. I hope what grizz is saying doesn't happen soon. Got a couple of those chassis's to build.
 
I rebuilt my 350 with a hyway kit. It ran but lacked compression. Went to a popup piston..it helped but, it runs okay but...it could be better

Sent from my LM-G820 using Tapatalk
 
The Husqvarna 346xp... is one of those saws that deserves oem parts and the best treatment ..it's disputably (the) or one of the best saws in its class ....That should have never been discontinued ....... :drinkingcoffee:...but times change and Here we are in 2021.......
:happy:
You can keep the Chinese crap.
 
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