My moment of insanity... bought a Husqvarna 390xp

[ManjiSann]

Parts came in today  8) 8)

Got the brake all put together... almost  :(



Turns out there's a pin that goes from the saw body to the little hole in the knee joint and the brake won't disengage without it 



Not sure what part bums me out more, waiting for the part or having to pay shipping again. Wish I'd have known when I placed the first order. Oh well it's all part of the adventure eh?  ;)

On a happier note, the side cover is looking all spiffed up with new parts



Just waiting on the outer felling dog and the cover will be complete.

Hopefully the other parts will come in by Wednesday next week! I really want to try it out!

Brandon 

[ManjiSann]

The sprocket rim that is in there currently is a 3/8 x 8. Is this the best one or is there an advantage to going to the 3/8 x 7?  I don't think it needs to be replaced just yet but when it does I'd like to know what I need to get. 

With as rusted as the muffler is I may need to replace it in the near future. It'll probably be fine this season to do what little I'm hoping to do with the saw but would like to be prepared when the time comes. I live in a very dry state where if I want to cut on BLM land I must have a spark arrestor screen and frankly I want the screen even off BLM land as there's just too much risk of fire in my little tinderbox state. So aside from the spark screen I don't know what else I should be looking for in a new muffler. What mufflers do you guys recommend? I see a bunch of ones for $20 or less out of China, are they any good?

Possibly TMI but woke up this morning thinking "I sure hope this attempt at saving money doesn't turn into one of those situations and I have to keep spending so much money that I'd have been better off buying new." I wish I had a better idea of what I am looking at, is there anything on the case itself that I should look for to ensure it's not busted, worn out, etc? I guess the little knee joint pin missing and stripped screw stud has me wondering what other abuse this poor saw has seen. 

Ok, negative moment over. Deep breath and put on my positive cap    It's all part of the tuition to the school of how to repair your saw. If I didn't have to replace all these parts I wouldn't get to know how the saw works. Just hard to feel good about that with money never as abundant as I'd like  :

Brandon 

[celliott]

If you're running a 20" or 24" I'd keep the 8, anything else a 7 would be best.
You already have a clutch removal tool for that saw- it's called a flathead screwdriver (chainsaw wrench) and a hammer. Look on the shoes of the clutch, you'll see a slot on each one with an arrow and the word OFF. Block the piston first.

[donbj]

Get it fixed up, almost there now.

[donbj]

"You already have a clutch removal tool for that saw- it's called a flathead screwdriver (chainsaw wrench) and a hammer. Look on the shoes of the clutch, you'll see a slot on each one with an arrow and the word OFF. Block the piston first."

One little tip I was given years ago by a small engine mechanic was to get a socket the right size and an impact. One quick little blip and off the clutch comes. No need to block the piston. Just make darn sure the impact is set to spin the right direction :laugh:

[Pine Ridge]

Hang in there, you've almost got it all put together. What else other than a chainsaw could you buy for several hundred dollars and make several thousands of dollars over its lifespan, enjoy a new hobby that you think about at least every hour, and love every minute of it. My fulltime 40 hour a week job may have my carcass, but my mind is often in a white oak patch somewhere cuttin timber.

[barbender]

Manjisann, don't overthink and fret over this saw too much. I don't know that I've ever seen a muffler on a saw rust out, I've certainly never had one do so. Get the safety features fixed, put mixed gas in it and run it. That's all the previous owner was doing, and that saw is still here and ready to rock and roll👍

[ManjiSann]

"You already have a clutch removal tool for that saw- it's called a flathead screwdriver (chainsaw wrench) and a hammer. Look on the shoes of the clutch, you'll see a slot on each one with an arrow and the word OFF. Block the piston first."

One little tip I was given years ago by a small engine mechanic was to get a socket the right size and an impact. One quick little blip and off the clutch comes. No need to block the piston. Just make darn sure the impact is set to spin the right direction :laugh:

oooo I'll have to try that!
Brandon 

[ManjiSann]

Hang in there, you've almost got it all put together. What else other than a chainsaw could you buy for several hundred dollars and make several thousands of dollars over its lifespan, enjoy a new hobby that you think about at least every hour, and love every minute of it. My fulltime 40 hour a week job may have my carcass, but my mind is often in a white oak patch somewhere cuttin timber.

My "real" job is in front of a computer but like you my mind is on the saw. I work to pay bills, I saw to stay sane  8) 8)  I was hiking yesterday and the whole time I'm looking at the trees thinking "now if I had to drop this one I'd need to..."  :D
This is the first "hobby" I've had that actually is paying for itself, it's kinda cool!
Brandon

[ManjiSann]

Manjisann, don't overthink and fret over this saw too much. I don't know that I've ever seen a muffler on a saw rust out, I've certainly never had one do so. Get the safety features fixed, put mixed gas in it and run it. That's all the previous owner was doing, and that saw is still here and ready to rock and roll👍

Hahaha you've got my number! I tend to over think/analyze things and drive myself nuts. 
Near as I can see I think I've got all the parts here or on order, there's no more empty holes that things look like they should go in so there shouldn't be any more parts I need to buy.  The bar looks straight and solid, the saw ran when I tried it and seemed strong, so as has been pointed out it should be good.
Thanks for the pep talk guys!
Brandon 

[Southside]

Naa - don't listen to @barbender you need to get several coats of wax onto that thing - inside the cover and all, touch up the scratches, clear coat the bar, custom embroidered billet aluminum muffler, really "pimp it out".     :D  :D  :D

Edit: Almost forgot - get a few different varieties of the "special scented" oil additives for the mix gas too, you want to savor the exhaust flavor.  ;D

[lxskllr]

Edit: Almost forgot - get a few different varieties of the "special scented" oil additives for the mix gas too, you want to savor the exhaust flavor. ;D

You're making a funny, but I've considered it. I miss the way 2stroke used to smell when I was a kid. I think Klotz gives that special smell, no? I'd consider getting some for my PoulanPro at the office. I prefer higher tech stuff for my good saws.

[Southside]

Well, there actually is a variety of scents available, some smell nothing like 2 cycle. 

[barbender]

Klotz smells like dryer sheets, I used to run it in my snowmobiles and an occasional chainsaw. I might have to get some just for old times sake😊

Be careful of Southside. He's trying to delay you getting that 390 fired up and put to wood- he knows you won't be jealous of his saws anymore😁

[donbj]

"oooo I'll have to try that!
Brand"

You'll likey

[ManjiSann]

I've heard of people using PAM cooking spray as an anti spatter when welding and I understand there's one that smells like bacon... wonder if I could use it as b/c oil or in the gas. Every time I rev the engine it'd smell like BACON!!!!!  ;D ;D

(ok just in case some poor soul should happen to wander in and read this that is honestly looking for information, NO PAM is NOT appropriate for any of these uses, except as an anti spatter spray)

Brandon 

[ManjiSann]

Naa - don't listen to @barbender you need to get several coats of wax onto that thing - inside the cover and all, touch up the scratches, clear coat the bar, custom embroidered billet aluminum muffler, really "pimp it out".     :D  :D  :D

Edit: Almost forgot - get a few different varieties of the "special scented" oil additives for the mix gas too, you want to savor the exhaust flavor.  ;D

Hehe I could Pimp My Saw. Wonder if I could add hydraulics and ground efx lights and a little pine scented tree hanging from the rear handle  :D :D :D and of course add an alarm so no one could steal it!
Brandon 

[ManjiSann]

I couldn't see where it was leaking but I discovered if I have the fuel cap off and the saw on its side fuel is leaking. I wasn't filling the fuel tank so I know it wasn't me spilling  ;)  It looks like it's coming out from between the metal body and the plastic lower tank. I couldn't see any signs of leakage in the carb/air filter area. 

My thoughts are something where the carb connects to the fuel tank or is there some sort of tank breather that might be stuck open? It doesn't seem to leak when the fuel tank is sealed. I've also noticed a strong fuel smell around the the saw even when the tank is closed and I can't see any fuel seepage but didn't think anything of it. 

Thanks,

Brandon 

[ManjiSann]

Looks like there's a tube and pipe of sort that goes from the fuel tank area to the carb. I'll have to take a few parts off and see if I can see what exactly is leaking. If the exploaded diagram is any indication there's not a lot of parts that could leak, assuming no crack in the plastic tank. I'm hoping it's either a loose part or a simple rubber part that has hardened over time and just needs to be replaced. Looks like the parts in the area I'm thinking might be leaking aren't very costly so that's good   

Brandon 

[ManjiSann]

Turns out it wasn't a tube or something loose, it was a small crack in the fuel tank  :(  I bought some fuel tank repair epoxy and hopefully it'll work but as it's in an area that gets some torque stress from the handle bar I'm not sure it's really going to hold. I cleaned the area with brake cleaner, sanded it with 80 grit for mechanical adhesion then used a flat screw driver to press it on and try to get it fairly thin so it won't vibrate against the upper body. It was a small crack barely visible except for some discoloration...Fingers crossed this works. 



If this doesn't hold I'll try JB Weld next.

Brandon 

[Nebraska]

If it holds, I think I would look for a replacement tank assembly to have on hand  when it does go to pot, hopefully the epoxy  job will buy some time. Looks like you are getting close.  

[ManjiSann]

If it holds, I think I would look for a replacement tank assembly to have on hand  when it does go to pot, hopefully the epoxy  job will buy some time. Looks like you are getting close.  

That's currently plan c. I have found them for about $140 shipped  :( :( :( I may have to pinch my pennies over the winter and buy one though.  

I just hope it holds for a while as I sold one of the Poulan chainsaws and I really need this one to function. In hindsight that may have been a bit premature.

Brandon

[ManjiSann]

Googled Chainsaw Gas Tank Repair and found some interesting ideas for using a soldering iron to melt the tank back together and using metal fly screen to reinforce it by pushing into the melted plastic then using JB weld over it. If the epoxy I used fails (I kinda expect it to, not through any fault of the epoxy) I think I will try the above option.

Trying to convince the CFO that putting $140 into this saw for a new tank is just not a conversation that is gonna fly right now     Besides, I want to see if I can repair it AND at the rate this is going I'm reaching the point where the math points to a new saw being the smarter option. 

Brandon 

[btulloh]

Might as well go with the repair and see how it lasts. I've used it and it worked pretty well. Not on a chainsaw though. Never know til you try. 

[ManjiSann]

Might as well go with the repair and see how it lasts. I've used it and it worked pretty well. Not on a chainsaw though. Never know til you try.

Agreed. 
I'm not ready to admit defeat!
At least I'm getting a great education on how these things go together and how to fix them. I'm sure the knowledge will pay dividends in the future. 
I will admit to a little frustration as this isn't what I had hoped for, I really just want to make saw dust, but when you buy used you roll the dice.
Brandon