Picked up a Husky 365 special

[Yotekiller]

Hey fellers, new guy here.

I've recently developed an interest in chainsaws beyond just using them as a tool. I think I've developed a bit of an obsession with them, learning about them, reading about the various models, their capabilities, and their modability lol. I've picked up a couple new ones lately, a new 261cm that was a gift from the wifey, and a beat to death husky 365 special for all of $20. I've ordered a 50mm jug and piston for it, a rebuild kit for the Walbro carb, a new muffler, start switch, and all new fuel lines. Waiting on this stuff to arrive hopefully by Friday so I can start playing.

I've never rebuilt a 2stroke engine before and know nothing about the Husky. Bought it off of my daughter's boyfriend whose family owns a tree service. So it's been well used, very well used.

He told me it ran but not very well. I tried everything last night to get it started but it wouldn't start. The plug was new, couldn't get it to hit even with a shot of starting fluid.

Didn't have time to check for spark. Did notice it has the black coil which I think that means it's the unlimited coil.

Anyways, appreciate any words of wisdom anyone has to offer.

[sawguy21]

Welcome aboard! First of all leave the ether on the shelf, it is one of the worst things you can do to a 2 stroke. It washes the lubricant off metal surfaces and dries the crank seals. The larger bore basically upgrades your saw to a 372 which is a good thing.
Remove the bar and chain and check the crank for side play and noisy bearings. @weimedog posted a great video doing a complete rebuild.

[Yotekiller]

Thank you for the feedback, sir. I'll remember that about the ether. I'll have to hunt down his video. Thanks!

[NORTH]

Not much to add but interested in hearing how your project turns out!

[Pine Ridge]

Will make you a good saw when you get all redone. Can't beat the price you gave for it either.

[Yotekiller]

I don't have any way to measure the squish. Will I be safe deleting the base gasket on this saw even with the new 50mm p&c? 

Also, I'm gonna give my first attempt at porting the saw. Any words of wisdom?

[Pine Ridge]

I am not a professional chainsaw mechanic, but if it were mine and couldn't check the squish myself i would try to find someone to check it for me, it would be a shame if you got it all together and it ended up being too tight.

[weimedog]

Most of those 365 48mm even 50mm 372 origional editions came stock with close to .040" squish & the base gaskets were in the .020" range. A piece of soft solder for electrical related soldering work as a way to mash something to measure. Something like this:

60-40 Tin Lead Rosin Core Solder Wire for Electrical Soldering .039"/1.0mm

( Go search ebay as the link has a bunch of goofy special characters that won't do good things to this thread....in cyberspace )

BUT the cheapest way and easiest way to hop that saw is either put an OEM Original Edition 372 50mm cylinder on or 51.4mm XPW cylinder while they are still available or going with a Hyway 52mm popup top end. BOLT on fun. Along with a muffler mod makes for a snappy saw. All this assumes a solid bottom end, crank, bearings, and seals.

So if that were my saw, and it had a lot of time? I would bust it down and give it a fresh set of  OEM seals then work back up to the top end. Really not that hard to do. If those bearings look coked up when you pull the seals, even consider splitting the cases and installing a fresh set of 6202 c3 nachi's.

While you are at it, intake boot, fuel line, carb kit, and pulse line. All so when you have a better top end, the sub systems can support that new saw.

OR just run is as the 365 48's closed ports ran really well stock.

[Yotekiller]

Well I didn't order any seals for the bottom end. I'm really wanting to get it running this weekend and anxious to see what the new 50mm p&c i got does for it. I probably should replace all the seals for peace of mind at least. 

I just picked up a caliper over lunch so I'm all set now to measure my squish.

Supposed to storm here all day tomorrow so that'll guarantee me some shop time.  

[weimedog]

Don't go crazy on the seals until you see a reason then....