Rebuild 346 XP Top End ???

[g_man]

I cooked my 346 XP yesterday. Cutting firewood. Stalled after a cut. Restarted for the next cut and seized half way through.



 


I've been expecting this for a while. It has given me long and reliable service - owes me nothing. The best 50 cc saw I have ever run. Anyway, in thinking about what to do, rebuild for a spare saw or trash, I see that Husqvarna top end parts are no longer available from reliable sources. But I find on Amazon and e-bay top end kits that claim to be Husqvarna OEM - seems a stretch ??

https://www.amazon.com/Husqvarna-Genuine-346XP-Cylinder-544142908/dp/B07L38LXQS

Anyone with experience or opinion on the quality of these kits ?  Or thoughts on whether it is even worth it to consider rebuilding.

gg

[doc henderson]

after i had my 046 a while, I joked with a stihl mechanic about getting it rebuilt if it ever went broke.  He said at the time, it would not be worth it.  I think I paid 300 bucks, and it was my only real saw for years.  Sylvan has passed but 4 years ago I asked him the same thing, and now over 1200 bucks, he said he absolutely would rebuild it.  

[barbender]

I'd rebuild it, even if it was aftermarket parts. Check to see if you have the updated metal clamp for the carb boot. Many of those 346 and related chassis saws died an early death due to an air leak there.

[Old Greenhorn]

I think that is pretty much the same as the 350 isn't it? I just rebuilt one and I got an aftermarket P&C but I had a problem getting the ring in and butchered the first one. Bob had an old one (OEM) and I put that on and it works great. I use it for a fill in around the yard and such. Still needs a little card tweak, but you can't beat those saws.
 So Yeah, I'd rebuild it.

[ehp]

rebuild it and use OEM parts , make sure you check the crank bearing and seals or just put new ones in, those 346's are one of the best 50cc saws ever made 

[NYH1]

I have a NE 346XP (50cc).  If it blew up, I'd definitely rebuild it.  Great little saws for sure.

NYH1.

[newoodguy78]

I've got one of those 346's if mine pops it'll get rebuilt. For what it is and what it's been used for it owes me nothing great little saw in my opinion. 

[g_man]

Thanks for all the comments ! I needed to check that my desire to rebuild it actually made sense and wasn't just because I liked the saw so much. Barbender, it's a 2010 saw near the end of the manufacture and has the metal strap clamp on the intake manifold. Thanks for pointing out that that was an early problem.

gg

[Spike60]

That top end looks legit, and that is about the right price as well. 346 top ends really aren't very expensive. 

[LeeB]

I did a P&C on mine 6 or 7 years ago. Wasn't hard to do and well worth the money. Now I need to figure out how to get a broke off exhaust screw out of it.

[Tom King]

Left hand Cobalt drill bit.  It will drill into the screw, and at the critical point the bit will grab (you don't have to do anything) and the screw will back right out.

[LeeB]

It's a pretty small screw. 

[barbender]

Yes, the person that can get a hole centered and drilled in one of those exhaust bolts has my respect! 

[LeeB]

I'd hate to have to change out the jug just because of a broke off screw.

[weimedog]

Fortunately 346 top ends are available. I have three OEM's. Seals as well. Easy saws to "make right". 

[doc henderson]

Lee can you take it to a machine shop guy?  or drill it out and re-tap and or go oversize.  do not go too deep!  I assume steel bolt in aluminum.

[sablatnic]

Stainless steel bolt, don't let it get hot, it will harden. Cool with water.
I have done it, but I wouldn't like doing it again!