Rebuilding a 1999 Husky 346XP

[Tmx]

Good Afternoon All.

 

I've become the owner of a 1999 Husqvarna 346XP, according to the serial number.  The piston has scoring, I haven't taken the cylinder head off but I'm assuming that a new piston and head is in order. The previous owner was careful with their 2 stroke mix so I'm assuming there was an air leak and it ran lean, got a bit warm and decided it wasn't happy about that. The engine turns over but only makes 70-80psi of compression.

 

Is there a common place these leak air that I should be checking first?

 

Where should I be looking for a new piston and cylinder head?  Looking on ebay it appears piston and head kits are much cheaper to import from the US but I would rather buy in the UK if the prices are similar after import duty.

 

The standard piston was 42mm but I see the newer 346XPs came with 44mm pistons ?  Can I fit a newer cylinder head with a 44mm piston or am I stuck with only the 42mm piston and head option?

 

I see a member called @spudulike ports them or used to offer this according to this post?  Is this service still available and if so, are you able to port a Husqvarna 544 14 29 08 head kit or is there a better head available to port ?   Can the 42mm carbs be tuned to support this porting of a 44mm kit or am I resigned to needing a bigger 44mm carb ? I'm looking for longer term reliability with some performance as this will be used for firewood mainly.

 

Out of curiosity, who made the Carbs? The one fitted has no markings on the top.

 

This is my first Husqvarna. I've only played with Stihl and Echo machinery to date

Thanks All.

[adw]

Send me your e mail address and i will send you a parts list and shop manual for it, the carb will be a Walbro at that age, most common leakage will be at the drive side seal, it is pressed into the bearing and can be replaced, try to avoid the Chinese cylinders, if the cylinder is not too bad hone it out with a flex hone and use a genuine piston. Sorry i do not get involved in porting.

[topchippyles]

2 hours ago, Tmx said:

Good Afternoon All.

 

I've become the owner of a 1999 Husqvarna 346XP, according to the serial number.  The piston has scoring, I haven't taken the cylinder head off but I'm assuming that a new piston and head is in order. The previous owner was careful with their 2 stroke mix so I'm assuming there was an air leak and it ran lean, got a bit warm and decided it wasn't happy about that. The engine turns over but only makes 70-80psi of compression.

 

Is there a common place these leak air that I should be checking first?

 

Where should I be looking for a new piston and cylinder head?  Looking on ebay it appears piston and head kits are much cheaper to import from the US but I would rather buy in the UK if the prices are similar after import duty.

 

The standard piston was 42mm but I see the newer 346XPs came with 44mm pistons ?  Can I fit a newer cylinder head with a 44mm piston or am I stuck with only the 42mm piston and head option?

 

I see a member called @spudulike ports them or used to offer this according to this post?  Is this service still available and if so, are you able to port a Husqvarna 544 14 29 08 head kit or is there a better head available to port ?   Can the 42mm carbs be tuned to support this porting of a 44mm kit or am I resigned to needing a bigger 44mm carb ? I'm looking for longer term reliability with some performance as this will be used for firewood mainly.

 

Out of curiosity, who made the Carbs? The one fitted has no markings on the top.

 

This is my first Husqvarna. I've only played with Stihl and Echo machinery to date

Thanks All.

Spud still does these saws and porting but you will need to take the saw to him.Drop him a private message he will reply.

Edited November 1, 2021 by topchippyles

[spudulike]

4 hours ago, adw said:

Send me your e mail address and i will send you a parts list and shop manual for it, the carb will be a Walbro at that age, most common leakage will be at the drive side seal, it is pressed into the bearing and can be replaced, try to avoid the Chinese cylinders, if the cylinder is not too bad hone it out with a flex hone and use a genuine piston. Sorry i do not get involved in porting.

You forgot the split inlet manifold around the impulse connector but obviously agree on the seals, both are rather interesting to fit BTW!!

I am only doing customer dropped off work now so depends where you are in the "South East".

I also don't just do the cylinder work as too much depends on the rebuild checks/final setup and don't want any hassle about who did what when the saw goes pop! 

The carb should have the manufacturer on it....it is probably a Chinese copy!!

[adw]

Forgot the inlet boot, and the impulse pipe, blocked fuel filter, blocked screen in the carb.

[Tmx]

17 hours ago, adw said:

Send me your e mail address and i will send you a parts list and shop manual for it, the carb will be a Walbro at that age

You have a message

[Tmx]

13 hours ago, spudulike said:

I am only doing customer dropped off work now so depends where you are in the "South East".

I also don't just do the cylinder work as too much depends on the rebuild checks/final setup and don't want any hassle about who did what when the saw goes pop! 

 

You have mail

[Tmx]

Could someone confirm I could use a larger cylinder head bore and piston from the 346XP Newer Edition with a 44.3mm bore on my older 42mm 1999 346XP please ?

[adw]

Yes you can.

[Stubby]

48 minutes ago, adw said:

Yes you can.

It would then have a de comp valve whereas the smaller one did not me thinks .