My New to me 346xp

[FarmerGrant]

I think I'm catching the saw bug...

I bought this saw yesterday. It has been used and abused, but it's all there and runs great!

Came with a like new 18" bar and chain. Plastics are pretty rough, but that's ok work me. Limiter caps are still on the carb. Compression is 120 psi. Has the blue limited coil.

I decided to open her up.

Piston and cylinder look really clean.

Should I just replace just the ring, or should I replace the piston too? AM or OEM?

 

[old guy]

That piston looks pretty smooth, (worn) I'd replace it, oem, or Meteor.

 

[FarmerGrant]

That piston looks pretty smooth, (worn) I'd replace it, oem, or Meteor.

I think I see what you mean on the smooth piston. On the sides I have some horizontal lines. Did those lines used to be all around the piston?

 

[FarmerGrant]

Before I order parts, is there anything that is prone to wear on these I should be checking? The av mounts all seemed intact, fuel lines looked ok, carb boot looked ok.

This is my list so far: piston, chain catch, rim sprocket.

 

[flyinfinn]

Nice saw! That’s the next one I’m hunting for. I got my 371xp and 262xp. Just gotta round it out with a 346xp!

 

[jltrent]

On the piston check the skirt thickness, if it is getting thin on the front and back replace, if not new Caber ring. Also maybe a new compression tester as most of the time they are not right, just ballpark. Get a new decal for the saw, a top cover, it will add as much or more to the saw as they cost. Make sure it has the metal intake clap and, get it hot and make sure the muffler studs are tight.

 

[holeycow]

I think I see what you mean on the smooth piston. On the sides I have some horizontal lines. Did those lines used to be all around the piston?

Yes

 

[sunfish]

This is my list so far: piston, chain catch, rim sprocket.

That saw has a ton of hours on it!!! Damn good model! Meteor Piston for sure. I'd also replace fuel lines, filters, impulse line, carb kit. Also I just bought a new oem top cover on ebay for $28 bucks, no brainer to replace that. Spike60 might even be cheaper.

 

[FarmerGrant]

Well, I grabbed an OEM piston from my dealer, great guys. He even threw in a chain catch and oil cap from his bone yard! So now I have $300 into one of my dream saws. I think I'll name her Ugly Betty.

I removed base gasket, squish is .018". I read over a bunch of porting threads, and decided to hold off for now. I did open up the factory outlet of the muffler. Compression moved up to 170.

Passed vacuum test, yay!

Fired right up! I idled for a bit and then tuned it a little fat.

Now I need to go find some wood! Thanks for the help

 

[spyder62]

WOW you don’t waste any time. She looks great. Deleting the gasket and opening the muffler really wakes them up. Plus they sound bad azz. Cool saw

 

[Trent Curtis]

One of my fav saws!

 

[ken morgan]

trust me you will have fun with it. i use a 346 as my go to small saw and then the 372 as my main for large trees. but to be honest the 346 could do 90%of the cutting I do...its just so much fun with the 372 though. going with the OEm piston and ring was probably the best bet, now get a new cover and "Ugly Betty" can shine!

 

[sunfish]

You will love it! It's the saw I use the most.