Chainsaw Repair

Husqvarna - Stihl - Poulan - Jonsered - Dolmar chainsaws and more => Husqvarna => Topic started by: raumato01 on January 16, 2016, 02:46:29 am

Title: 44mm husqvarna 350 upgrade options .
Post by: raumato01 on January 16, 2016, 02:46:29 am
Happy new year everyone . I have a 345 with a smoked cylinder and a 350 crank , barrel, riser , coil and carb . I'd like to make a running saw out of the pile but from what I've read the 44 mm is the lesser of the 350s , how much do you lose over a 45 mm and is there a piston upgrade like the 353 into a 45mm 350?
Title: Re: 44mm husqvarna 350 upgrade options .
Post by: SawTroll on January 16, 2016, 07:38:13 am
The 353 and the 45mm 350 use the same cylinder, but the 350 has a "dished" piston to take down the compression and power output a bit.

The best upgrade to your saw would be to use a OEM 44.3mm 346xp top end.
Title: Re: 44mm husqvarna 350 upgrade options .
Post by: weimedog on January 16, 2016, 09:07:25 am
Happy new year everyone . I have a 345 with a smoked cylinder and a 350 crank , barrel, riser , coil and carb . I'd like to make a running saw out of the pile but from what I've read the 44 mm is the lesser of the 350s , how much do you lose over a 45 mm and is there a piston upgrade like the 353 into a 45mm 350?

Not much stock. Those 44 open port cylinders run pretty well. If you go the modification route there is more to be had with a 45mm and even more with the 346xp top end.....now quite reasonable with Husqvarna's price changes. But if you are looking to make a pile of junk run, and in that pile is a 44mm, use it. It's a noticeable upgrade over the 345. Especially if you get the squish down in the .018in range by removing material from the top of the bearing cap (Cylinder side). Or even a no base gasket 1194 build. Bearings caps BTW are available from AM sources quite reasonable and use the fine thread screws.

You will need a bearing cap for any 350/346 upgrade as the 345 is a true "clam shell" where the top half of the bearing cap/housing is the same casting as the cylinder. Also while you are in there make certain your either have a steel clamp, or use one of the several upgrade technics to secure that intake boot. A clamp for the intake boot from a 385/390 Husqvarna costs 5 bucks and using a dremel to cut the plastic tabs off those old style camps ..that combo works to.

Pretty much everything else from the 345 will work with the 350 upgrade. Also the 44mm 350 has less chances of vibrating the muffler off and melting the cases....so there are reasons the 44mm 350 top end even makes more sense than the other options. The entire saw world doesn't have to revolve around online experts selling the concept of ultimate performance at dentist drill RPM's. Some times a solid reliable and capable saw is the definition of win. :)
Title: Re: 44mm husqvarna 350 upgrade options .
Post by: Cut4fun . on January 16, 2016, 11:58:17 am
If I had a 44mm available I would use it. Its a chainsaw it cuts wood. It will not know the difference if using 44mm 45mm. If I had a 45mm 350 dished piston on hand I would use it too. If I needed a piston I would get the 353 flat top.

Yes you can step up in performance set by step, but is it worth the cash to you. In the end it a chainsaw and it is going to cut the same wood, even if it takes 2 seconds longer.
Title: Re: 44mm husqvarna 350 upgrade options .
Post by: raumato01 on January 16, 2016, 03:38:13 pm
Thanks for getting back to me, I'm not sure the recent Husqvarna price changes filtered down to New Zealand so a 346 upgrade is probably out of the question budget wise. I was just thinking of making a saw out of the pile of parts I have and making sure I didn't miss out on anything that might improve it while sticking within my budget.

 Weimedog, I have the riser or bearing cap. The only part I'm missing is the muffler and I see huztl has the whole thing with a bracket to stop it falling off and melting the tank for a pretty reasonable price. Cheers for the heads up about the clamp.

Cut4fun, thats the plan. It's going to be the saw I use for cutting house piles etc at work so not looking to spend a huge amount on it.
Title: Re: 44mm husqvarna 350 upgrade options .
Post by: fuzz1500 on January 20, 2016, 10:20:22 am
I'll be watching this.....as im doing a 350 rebuild myself right now on FHC.  Mines also a 44mm open port.  Ordered a new Meteor piston set-up for it.  The original cylinder cleaned up perfect !  Gonna drop the   base gasket....reaseal riser...new crank seals and carb boot/metal band upgrade !  Never done one of these before.....so I've read a ton on various Chainsaw sites....watched vids online of people we all know too !!!!!!  Thanks always to the people that tried this stuff first...so we can all learn !
Title: Re: 44mm husqvarna 350 upgrade options .
Post by: Cut4fun . on January 20, 2016, 01:21:41 pm
I'll be watching this.....as im doing a 350 rebuild myself right now on FHC.  Mines also a 44mm open port.  Ordered a new Meteor piston set-up for it.  The original cylinder cleaned up perfect !  Gonna drop the   base gasket....reaseal riser...new crank seals and carb boot/metal band upgrade !  Never done one of these before.....so I've read a ton on AS....watched vids online of people we all know too !!!!!!  Thanks always to the people that tried this stuff first...so we can all learn !

350 threads

Hybrid http://chainsawrepair.createaforum.com/husqvarna/husqvarna-345350-346-hybrid/msg47030/#msg47030

350 info http://chainsawrepair.createaforum.com/husqvarna/husqvarna-350-2097/

more http://chainsawrepair.createaforum.com/husqvarna/350-options/

tons more just a few above
Title: Re: 44mm husqvarna 350 upgrade options .
Post by: raumato01 on January 24, 2016, 02:50:26 am
Hey thanks for that, awesome.
Title: Re: 44mm husqvarna 350 upgrade options .
Post by: fuzz1500 on January 26, 2016, 07:41:36 pm
Hi guys !  Looking for advice on my 350 build.  Outing the riser back on.  I flat sanded the base....put the three bond on.  ..installed it.....then wondered if I should have sealed around the bearing seal grooves on the riser..and in the plastic case.  The seals fit sooooo tight into the grooves...I honestly didn't wanna hurt anything by adding sealant into the mix.  It seemed to seal nice and tight..so idk.  What have you guys done in the past ?
Title: Re: 44mm husqvarna 350 upgrade options .
Post by: fuzz1500 on January 26, 2016, 07:49:32 pm
http://firewoodhoardersclub.com/forums/attachments/img_20160126_131335862-jpg.82625/

Hope it's OK to link this.
Can't get pics small enough to load....I don't wanna make waves....just need help !
Title: Re: 44mm husqvarna 350 upgrade options .
Post by: wild262 on January 26, 2016, 09:22:50 pm
If I were you I would do it over just to be sure.  I coat everything when I do one of those.  Thin coat on both surfaces after degreasing with alcohol.  Better safe than sorry.   And use some lock-tight on those bottom riser bolts also especially the course thread ones.   Afterward, let it cure out at least 1 day before starting.  Weimiedog has built a lot of these and maybe he can come in and take over where I left off.  Good wrenching partner! :)
Title: Re: 44mm husqvarna 350 upgrade options .
Post by: wild262 on January 26, 2016, 09:29:56 pm
One more thing.  Make sure you snap that new intake band clamp & kit on the cylinder BEFORE you drop the cyl. down over the piston.  Since your using a gasket I guess its no big deal if you forget, but if using 3-bond or Dirko, it can be a real job to clean off and re-seal. 
Title: Re: 44mm husqvarna 350 upgrade options .
Post by: fuzz1500 on January 26, 2016, 10:20:19 pm
Thanks so much.....I just took it apart and resealed.....should have just done it anyway I guess !
I will take your advice about the intake as well. Thanks so much for your help !
Title: Re: 44mm husqvarna 350 upgrade options .
Post by: weimedog on January 30, 2016, 12:37:52 am
Here is a  345 tp 350 open port build with a few tips.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyVcMZw3Jr0
Title: Re: 44mm husqvarna 350 upgrade options .
Post by: raumato01 on March 10, 2016, 03:32:32 am
I just picked up an oem  346 piston and cylinder for this project, got a couple of other saws to finish first and then get onto this. Has anyone tried the Huztl seals or should I stick with oem?
Title: Re: 44mm husqvarna 350 upgrade options .
Post by: Cut4fun . on March 10, 2016, 02:51:43 pm
I havent tried huztl seals but have tried other aftermarket seals.

Some work good and some dont. = quality control like anything aftermarket. Hit and miss.