jammin_with_j
ArboristSite Operative
Hey guys had this saw for a year or more now, second saw I ever bought, the first being a 351. Thanks to AS I decided I didn't have enough toys and needed another saw, so when a package deal came up for a 345 and 357xp for $250(canadian) I had to buy. The joy of two is better than one, right? :msp_wub:
So I'm happy as a pig in.....mud. Travel half way across the province (its only small) and had a look. The saw was visually good looking, seemed to run good, no major damage. The 345 ran, but had some missing parts that I could see, chain brake was stuck on, no bar and chain. Now being new to this and all of course I didn't own a compression tester . I figured I was okay on the deal since it was for two and not one, and that lots of parts would inter change on the saw I already owned. So I bought em up :msp_biggrin:
The 345 didn't get much attention, I was in it for the 357xp. Got the saw out soon after buying and had to trim up some low branches around the yard. Ran the thing for about 15 mins and it just died. Still pulled over freely, but was real low on compression. First thing, got out the allen wrenches, tore the muffler off on the trunk of the car. I could hear a sick noise of metal bouncing around in the muffler, and out into my hand came some pieces of metal. Oh no, the ring broke was my first thought. Sure enough with the flashlight I could see it was missing a big portion of the ring.
It got shelfed, I was ashamed that I didn't use my brain when purchasing, I just wanted a 357 all logic went out the window of the car on the drive. I took a look at the serial tag and it was a 2001, started doing some reading on here, got right into it. Figured out it was an early model, with the smaller connecting rod end and crank case stuffers.
Just a week ago I hauled it into work with me to start on fixing it. Piston had taken a beating on the failure, but cylinder looked okay. Tore the thing apart, pulled the piston off and did some measurements with the calipers, it had an after market 15mm connecting rod end piston on the 13mm connecting rod. I don't think someone knew that when they fixed her up the first time. I could tell there was a lot of horizontal play on the wrist pin.
Now here is the problem I'm facing. :msp_sad: With it being an early model the piston was different from most after market ones I can find. The only source I can find would be to buy OEM, be it local dealer, or online source. The service tech at the local dealer seems to like me. I did a few projects before starting this one, and he's given me some free used & new parts and helped me out a lot more than I expected. Never bought a new saw in my life, but have enough friends buying saws for him that he knows its good business to treat people good. He can tell I'm no clown trying to fix a straight gased saw, and know my way around a Husqvarna saw pretty good. Never split a case, but tore them down until that point with no problem.
Any members out there find an AM piston that will fit this application?
Now I know its not proper to post without pictures, and the camera isn't at work with me today. But rest assured tomorrow is a new day and I'm gonna post up with this old girl in pieces. I would like to fix it right so that it will last me. Guess I'm just trying to prove to myself that even though I bought a lemon I can right my wrong and make this one into a saw I can be proud of.
If you made it this far you know I'm making it my life story, and I'm ready to take a blast for not being smart about this one. But I'm ready to learn, read lots of posts on this series saw and I'm not gonna try and ask dumb questions, but I can't say I've seen any one who has found an AM kit for the 357xp. So what say you AS members, wanna lend a hand?
So I'm happy as a pig in.....mud. Travel half way across the province (its only small) and had a look. The saw was visually good looking, seemed to run good, no major damage. The 345 ran, but had some missing parts that I could see, chain brake was stuck on, no bar and chain. Now being new to this and all of course I didn't own a compression tester . I figured I was okay on the deal since it was for two and not one, and that lots of parts would inter change on the saw I already owned. So I bought em up :msp_biggrin:
The 345 didn't get much attention, I was in it for the 357xp. Got the saw out soon after buying and had to trim up some low branches around the yard. Ran the thing for about 15 mins and it just died. Still pulled over freely, but was real low on compression. First thing, got out the allen wrenches, tore the muffler off on the trunk of the car. I could hear a sick noise of metal bouncing around in the muffler, and out into my hand came some pieces of metal. Oh no, the ring broke was my first thought. Sure enough with the flashlight I could see it was missing a big portion of the ring.
It got shelfed, I was ashamed that I didn't use my brain when purchasing, I just wanted a 357 all logic went out the window of the car on the drive. I took a look at the serial tag and it was a 2001, started doing some reading on here, got right into it. Figured out it was an early model, with the smaller connecting rod end and crank case stuffers.
Just a week ago I hauled it into work with me to start on fixing it. Piston had taken a beating on the failure, but cylinder looked okay. Tore the thing apart, pulled the piston off and did some measurements with the calipers, it had an after market 15mm connecting rod end piston on the 13mm connecting rod. I don't think someone knew that when they fixed her up the first time. I could tell there was a lot of horizontal play on the wrist pin.
Now here is the problem I'm facing. :msp_sad: With it being an early model the piston was different from most after market ones I can find. The only source I can find would be to buy OEM, be it local dealer, or online source. The service tech at the local dealer seems to like me. I did a few projects before starting this one, and he's given me some free used & new parts and helped me out a lot more than I expected. Never bought a new saw in my life, but have enough friends buying saws for him that he knows its good business to treat people good. He can tell I'm no clown trying to fix a straight gased saw, and know my way around a Husqvarna saw pretty good. Never split a case, but tore them down until that point with no problem.
Any members out there find an AM piston that will fit this application?
Now I know its not proper to post without pictures, and the camera isn't at work with me today. But rest assured tomorrow is a new day and I'm gonna post up with this old girl in pieces. I would like to fix it right so that it will last me. Guess I'm just trying to prove to myself that even though I bought a lemon I can right my wrong and make this one into a saw I can be proud of.
If you made it this far you know I'm making it my life story, and I'm ready to take a blast for not being smart about this one. But I'm ready to learn, read lots of posts on this series saw and I'm not gonna try and ask dumb questions, but I can't say I've seen any one who has found an AM kit for the 357xp. So what say you AS members, wanna lend a hand?