Husky 394 Stripped Felling Spikes

[WolfMann]

Hey everyone so the holes for the felling spike bolts in the crankcase of my 394xp have stripped, I've read up on the repair but still have a question or two, these bolts run through both sides of the crankcase, clutch side & flywheel side, so for the most complete repair I would need to split the case and drill/tap both sides up one size, M6x1.0. My question is this, would this repair be adequate or would I expect to see the same problem again over time? I've read about people using helicoil, keyserts, gardserts etc and those lasting a long time. If I wanted to go that route would I need to install one in each crankcase half? Would it cause leakage in the center of oil reservoir if I only put a coil/tap on the clutch side of the case (to hold spikes until I split case). Hoping those with experience making this repair can share what's worked best for them. As always, Thank you.

 

[CsClimbr]

I’ve never had one split but I’d assume only one side would be threaded and shouldnt require splitting the case.. someone should be along to verify this.

Edit: 394 IPL below:

http://s30387.gridserver.com/partsDiagrams/Husqvarna 394.pdf

 

[WolfMann]

Thank you for the diagram, I like that one much better than the one in the workshop manual.

I wish I took a better look the last time I had the case split, hard to see things you're not looking for though. I'm pretty sure the upper bolt runs through clutch side and threads into flywheel side, not 100% on bottom bolt.

 

[CsClimbr]

Someone more familiar with the 394 should be able to help. Sorry I couldn’t offer more insight, Good luck with your repair

 

[WolfMann]

Its all good Climber, I should thank you again for that parts diagram, way better than the one I've been using.

 

[dustinwilt68]

The flywheel side is threaded, best repair is to reweld and tap again, but a timesert may hold

 

[CsClimbr]

No prob at all, anytime I need an IPL for a saw I just google the make & model and hasn’t failed me yet. Always seems to be a PDF in the first couple search results

 

[WolfMann]

The flywheel side is threaded, best repair is to reweld and tap again, but a timesert may hold

Thanks for responding Dustin, if I can ask, what do you mean reweld?

 

[dustinwilt68]

I would NOT use a helicoil for this application.​

 

[dustinwilt68]

There's a few people who can reweld those mag cases and retap them for you @scarr on the other site is one of the best at it

 

[WolfMann]

Why's that a no on the helicoil Dustin? I've read about them being used successfully before.

 

[WolfMann]

Never thought about welding the case, is the benefit of that being able to keep bolt the same size?

 

[dustinwilt68]

They are ok on something that is not going to have pressure put on them but on a front spike that also doubles as case sealer bolts I would never trust it to hold for long.

 

[dustinwilt68]

Yes the bolt can be kept the same size as well getting it welded

 

[WolfMann]

Its good to know that's another option, thank you again Dustin, if I could pick your brain a little more...
You recommended a timesert over helicoil. Would that be inserted in the clutch side or flywheel side (after splitting case)?

 

[dustinwilt68]

Flywheel side, has to be drilled to the propper depth and I use jb weld to lock it in place instead of loctite, I think it holds better, just make sure the timesert sets flush or just below flush so that the case seals properly, I have to do 1 to a top cover screw on my 4th 394 myself.

 

[dustinwilt68]

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/112896911155

 

[dustinwilt68]

Looks like there out of stock on the propper size but you may be able to copy and paste it on Amazon or Google

 

[WolfMann]

Thanks Dustin, good tip about jbweld over loctite.

Wasn't 100% on ebay link, said out of stock, googled it instead, am I looking for ez-lok M5-.08 inserts?

 

[WolfMann]

Four 394s sounds like a dream, I'm only on my first, does well on the mill, I sure like it.