Lots of Husky 353 questions

[jasper89]

Good Morning: I picked up 2 Husky 353s over the weekend for a good price. Both will need pistons and at least one a cylinder. One is a regular 353 and the other is an E tech.

What are the cylinder options for the saws? I read that you can put a 346 p/c on? Is that a good idea? OEM (price seems a little steep) or aftermarket and do you have a favorite a/m? Would you focus on the E-tech or the other or does it make a difference? Chain and bar recommendations?

I am looking to use at least one as a firewood saw and not sure at all about the other until I dig into it a bit more. As usual more power/speed is always appreciated!

Thanks for your input. Frank

 

[spike60]

346 top end is a simple bolt on and the best option for that chassis. I sell OEM's for $200 if you want one. Some aftermarket are decent also.

The only difference in the E-tech is that it has a cat muffler, and that has to go no matter which top end you choose.

Asking about bar and chain ideas will undoubtedly ignite the 3/8 vs .325 debate. I pick a road less traveled here. My opinion is that going to an 8 pin .325 rim gives better performance than either the stock 7 pin or switching to 3/8.

 

[sunfish]

What Spike said! Order a 346 top end from him and a piston for the other saw.

353 is a very good saw!

 

[jasper89]

346 top end is a simple bolt on and the best option for that chassis. I sell OEM's for $200 if you want one. Some aftermarket are decent also.

The only difference in the E-tech is that it has a cat muffler, and that has to go no matter which top end you choose.

Asking about bar and chain ideas will undoubtedly ignite the 3/8 vs .325 debate. I pick a road less traveled here. My opinion is that going to an 8 pin .325 rim gives better performance than either the stock 7 pin or switching to 3/8.

If I wanted to stay with 3/8 chain (That's what my others saws wear) would you go with an 7 pin or 8? Thanks

 

[sunfish]

If I wanted to stay with 3/8 chain (That's what my others saws wear) would you go with an 7 pin or 8? Thanks

7... It wont pull 3/8 with a 8 pin!

 

[half_full]

I have the same types of 353 as you, one E Tech one not. I really like the saws. As Spike said, either replace the cat muffler on the E Tech saw or cut it open, gut it and weld back together. I can't believe hot hot that would get.

 

[Vibes]

Since you are planning on keeping one of these saws I would definately go the OEM route. May be fix both and sell one and get a good one at half price.

I love my J-Red 2152 that's the same as a 353. I've seen both of these saws on clearance lately for really good prices NOS. I'm guessing a guy could look around some and get a 353/2152, and a 365/2165 NOS for close to the price of a new 372, or Stihl 362, and have all bases covered for a long time.

Back to the bars and chains, I would just stick to the .325 set-up. I've heard the pros and cons and have run 346's with 3/8ths and I just liked the .325 better. I would like to set mine up for the low profile .325 and give that a try.

 

[jasper89]

I have the same types of 353 as you, one E Tech one not. I really like the saws. As Spike said, either replace the cat muffler on the E Tech saw or cut it open, gut it and weld back together. I can't believe hot hot that would get.

In the pile of stuff I got with the saws are 2 non-E tech mufflers so that is what I will use.

The plastic on the E Tech started to melt above the exhaust. It had the original muffler on.

Would you add another port to the muffler? Thanks.

 

[HuskStihl]

I just put a weadeaterman (watsonr) 346xp (closed port) P&C kit on a 350. The one I received was very good and required minimal sanding/grinding to make the ports smooth. 170psi without the gasket. Still waiting on some parts, so haven't put it in wood yet, but for the price it is quite good. I think it is also a good idea to always use the OEM 346 circlips with any aftermarket piston

 

[half_full]

Would you add another port to the muffler? Thanks.

Yes, I did on mine and it seemed to perk it up a bit. Make sure to tune the carb properly for the additional exhaust flow.

 

[Northerner]

I put an aftermarket 346 p&c on my 350, forgot which brand but it has been running strong for 2 winters already. No regrets yet.

 

[jasper89]

I put an aftermarket 346 p&c on my 350, forgot which brand but it has been running strong for 2 winters already. No regrets yet.

I would like to hear a little more concerning the aftermarket options if that is allowed on the thread. Want to keep it all legal! Frank

 

[HuskStihl]

The best aftermarket option for this series is a good 346 copy. Unfortunately, lots of the kits listed as "346xp" are open port cylinders. weedeaterman has a closed port, there is another on ebayThe best option is Spike's OEM. The only problem for selling is the saw is not likely to go for much more than $300, making it difficult to turn a profit with an OEM replacement. I think I paid 89 or something for the kit I got

 

[jasper89]

The best aftermarket option for this series is a good 346 copy. Unfortunately, lots of the kits listed as "346xp" are open port cylinders. weedeaterman has a closed port, there is another on ebayThe best option is Spike's OEM. The only problem for selling is the saw is not likely to go for much more than $300, making it difficult to turn a profit with an OEM replacement. I think I paid 89 or something for the kit I got

If you had it to do it over again would you go a good aftermarket copy or OEM? I don't need the saw(s) to make a living and don't plan to flip it. Maybe one OEM one a/m?

Thank all you guys for your advice, it is appreciated.

 

[HuskStihl]

My intention with that saw was to replace a piston and sell it for a hundred dollar profit. The saw is in great shape, and I got the cylinder clean enough to run, but not to sell. The OEM was never an option, and I'm hoping that the AM cylinder being a 346 will help it sell. If I were keeping the saw I'd go with spike's 346 OEM. I've purchased stuff from him before, and he's first class

 

[Nemus Talea]

What killed these saws? Bad carb adjustment is hoped but...

New impulse line, air boot, metal boot clamp, lines & filters would be in order. Possible carb rebuilds. Maybe, much more.

 

[jasper89]

What killed these saws? Bad carb adjustment is hoped but...

New impulse line, air boot, metal boot clamp, lines & filters would be in order. Possible carb rebuilds. Maybe, much more.

Great question, one was straight gassed not yet sure about the other supposedly bad mix.

I need to pressure and vac test before I get too far into it or into them, whichever. Thanks!

 

[jasper89]

Are beveling and chamfering the same thing in regards to ports?

 

[sunfish]

Are beveling and chamfering the same thing in regards to ports?

Yes.