Rebuilding 346xp

stihl-running

G'day everybody, first post so be nice

I've owned an ms 361 from new, and recently picked up a well used 346xp. It still has decent compression, enough for the time being at least. Aside from the usual servicing, plus a carby rebuild, is there anything else I should pay attention to, any peculiarities to the 346xp? Would it be worth it putting in a new piston? Any suggestions are appreciated, thanks fellas

Cheers

nmurph

the usual suspects should be changed on a well used saw; fuel lines and filter, air filter and maybe the tank vent. you will also need to know if you cylinder is the 42mm or 44mm version. the later is the silver clutch cover variety. but i would still check just to avoid an orderin mistake. if the cylinder is shot i would order the larger P/C for a replacement as it makes a little more power. while you have it apart you might also check the big bearings for play and replace the top bearing since it is cheap and easy to access.

stihl-running

thanks for the reply nmurph, this is my first go at rebuilding a saw, so all the tips and tricks are appreciated, does the larger P&C retail for much more than the old 42mm?

nmurph

here are a couple of options----i don't know what you will find available in OZ or if Bailey's ships worldwide.
42mm
Bailey's - OEM Cylinder Assembly for Husqvarna 346

44mm
Bailey's - OEM Cylinder Assembly for Husqvarna 346

there is an ebay seller that has aftermarket 44mm P/C kits that some have used with success.

this tool should be a part of your tool kit. it makes installing pistons easy.
Bailey's - Piston Ring Clamp Set

i just cleaned-up a 44mm that was straight-gassed. i got by with only a piston and rings. if it needed a cylinder i was going with OEM.

Cut4fun

Watch the intakes on the ones with the plastic clamp. There is a recall for warping and creating a air leak. Metal clamp set up is the replacement.


I have the recall posted here in a thread if you do a search in the 346 threads of all the part numbers and saws involved.

MrDiesel

I just rebuilt a 346 which wouldnt idle. The clamp c4f refers to is easy to change and cost about $14. The mistake i made was not to order the gaskets before i pulled it apart. There is one on the carby and one between the cylinder and block. My carby was really worn around the full pump area. I tried to replace it with a newer carby (the one that has the limiting tabs) and found thee screw adjustments dont line up with the holes in the lid

MrDiesel

Also forgot a good long 4mm allen key. I had a set from super crap which broke getting the cylinder bolts out.

stihl-running

thanks for that info on a possible air leak, I'll have to check out that metal clamp for sure. It's the old 42mm version, do they have that issue or is it just the NE model?

Cut4fun

For you guys that didnt know about the recall a couple years back.

Service Bulletin for 357XP, 359, 353, 346XP
This service bulletin is not new. I thought that there might be some out there who were not aware of it so here it is. If your saw has a black plastic clamp around the intake right next to the cylinder it is applicable to it. If the clamp is of steel construction then you should be ok.

B0600023
SERVICE

*537 43 88-01*
*compl 537 25 13-02
English 1 (1)

SB, 357 XP, 359, 353, 346 XP,
Partition wall and clamp for intake system,
2006-03

The existing intake system on 357XP, 359,353 and 346XP currently consists of an integrated plastic clamp in the partition wall. As the clamp is made of plastic, there is a risk of deformation. This results in impaired clamping force against the cylinder, which in turn can result in leakage in the intake system. To prevent this from occurring, we have now introduced a metal clamp and a new partition wall.

The new partition wall is made up of polyamide with 30 % fibre glass.
The new clamp is a hardened steel clamp. The new material and the design of the clamp reduce the risk of deformation and the subsequent risk of leakage.

Full replaceability prevails.
Introduced from serial number:
357XP 061100201
359 061100001
353 061100001
346XP 061100001

New part no. Description Excl. part. no. Remark
537 25 13-02 Partition wall, intake, complete New spare part
537 43 88-01 Clamp, intake New spare part

Spare part, partition wall, part number 537 25 13-01, has been discontinued and is replaced by part number 537 25 13-02.

KevinE

I too am being given a "well used" 346xp! It belongs to a friend who lent it to some guy who put bar oil in the fuel tank & ran it. I haven't got my paws on it yet, so I'm not too sure what damage has been done (if any) or how it's performing. It's an early model 45cc version. I'm thinking of pulling it down & rebuilding it with a BB kit if there's a good one available that will fit it? This CAD thing is really addictive lol!

nmurph

That is a service bulletin, not a recall. There are lots of those saws running with the plastic clamps. If you have a saw with the plastic clamp and it is running good, I wouldn't change it. Now if you have a air leak issue, then the clamp is probably the first suspect. And if you have one torn apart that has the plastic clamp, I would replace or amend it bf I put it back together. Husky suggest either replacing the boot with the updated version or modifying the boot by trimming the tab and using a clamp to hold everything tight. This is the Husky clamp for the modification 503 56 00-03. I have used an intake clamp from a 044 on several of these. It works well, but you have to trim a little more from the intake than if you use the Husky part.

There are some aftermarket 346 45cc kits available on Ebay. I bought one and ran it bf I traded the saw away. I had to order a replacement bc the first one had some poorly beveled ports, but the second one was fine and never gave me a moments trouble. The power seemed on par with OEM. Kafar is the seller I bought from. He is easy to deal with and his prices are cheap.

Bluegill

I have an old 357 and even older 346 that have the plastic intake clamps. No problems yet and the old 346 has a ton of hours on it. I'll replace with metal clamps if I ever get a chance to tear them down, but not in any hurry.

nmurph

I should have said 50cc kits from Ebay.