New MS361 top end - Anything I should do?

[davefr]

I recently bought a cheap MS361 at a g-sale with a cracked jug and a few other issues.. The saw looks to have little use and will be a spare. To keep the project affordable I bought a Farmer/Hutzl cylinder kit.

The cylinder kit looks just fine. The only difference between OEM is outer cosmetics. (ie cylinder fin finish and outer cosmetics).

Are there any basic "no brainer" performance mods prior to installation of any new cylinder/piston kit? I'm looking at simple things vs. major porting/timing/squish changes?

Are there any minor mod suggestions prior to installation??

TIA

 

[Full Chisel]

Nix the base gasket to increase compression.

 

[David Young]

I think you will be too tight just pulling the gasket.

 

[team117]

Some am kits squish bands are not to the same tolerance as oem. I just did a 361 with a oem top end and there was not enough clearance to delete the base gasket. You will have to check the squish to find out how thick of a gasket you will need.

I think you will be too tight just pulling the gasket.

 

[drf255]

Run your fingers around the ports to make sure there aren't any sharp bevel edges that will eat the rings.

Of course, check squish.