Are 346xp's still desired?

[TreeLife]

Yeah, they're desirable. I want one...

 

[Firewood Bandit]

The 346XP is the BEST 50 cc saw ever made. (OE or NE) Nuff said.

 

[markds2]

Heres mine, just picked up for the equivalent of $318USD so not exactly a steal, but still a tidy saw. How does the OE run compared to the NE (with its extra 4-5cc)??

 

[pro94lt]

Guess so, they were around 400 new back in their prime. I believe I paid 479 in 2008 for the last one i bought new... crazy how much saws have went up in 15 years

 

[p61 western]

Heres mine, just picked up for the equivalent of $318USD so not exactly a steal, but still a tidy saw. How does the OE run compared to the NE (with its extra 4-5cc)??View attachment 206494 View attachment 206493 View attachment 206492

Going to have to buy a NE to find out.

 

[jakethesnake]

I’ve had a ported oe. And a standard oe. I like the standard better just for the noise difference.
The ported one lost a rod bearing. I still have the whole thing just needs reassembly

 

[jakethesnake]

That said I doubt you’d notice a tremendous difference between the two oe and ne. I surely wouldn’t change top ends looking for massive gains.

 

[andyshine77]

The oe 346 is a little lighter and more compact do to it not having a purge bulb. Power wise it had a little less grunt, but nothing huge, the early production runs seem stronger. You'll want to update the plastic cylinder boot clamp to a metal one, as the plastic will leak. I liked the spin on air filter better than the later clip setup.

 

[Onan18]

The 346XP is the BEST 50 cc saw ever made. (OE or NE) Nuff said.

^^^ What he said...

 

[decableguy2000]

My first one was a OE, that I pieced together from parts little by little, my most expensive one. Second one, a NE, I scored off Craigslist, for $40, but had a bad top end rebuilt it with an OEM top end, still has fuel delivery issue. 3 was said to have low compression got it for 60 bucks, new ring, intake clamp, tightened the cylinder down to the case. Good runner, been using it a bunch lately. The 4th was from the same guy as 3, was suppose to be seized got it for 40. Bad clutch, swapped it with one from a 353 waiting on parts. Still need to change the clamp. Have a 351, that was going to make a 346 but already have 4 , plus the 353.

I couldn't find one for years locally for sale used. Than in the past year seem to tripping over them.

 

[p61 western]

Just got this OE to go with my NE. It will be getting a NE top end though as the OE is scored.

 

[huskihl]

Still desired...

 

[markds2]

The oe 346 is a little lighter and more compact do to it not having a purge bulb. Power wise it had a little less grunt, but nothing huge, the early production runs seem stronger. You'll want to update the plastic cylinder boot clamp to a metal one, as the plastic will leak. I liked the spin on air filter better than the later clip setup.

Andy, you mention I should update the plastic clamp to a metal one, do you just use the later one off a NE, or is there another part number you would suggest? The NE one doesn't look a lot better TBH, it doesn't have a screw like all the ones I have seen on Stihl saws

 

[decableguy2000]

I use the intake clamp form a 385.390 part #588775502

 

[markds2]

I use the intake clamp form a 385.390 part #588775502

Thanks for the reply, and you need to take the cylinder off the saw to fit don't you? I'm thinking I might do a base gasket delete at the same time, depending on the squish.

 

[andyshine77]

Andy, you mention I should update the plastic clamp to a metal one, do you just use the later one off a NE, or is there another part number you would suggest? The NE one doesn't look a lot better TBH, it doesn't have a screw like all the ones I have seen on Stihl saws

The new one is metal and works well, but as mentioned you can also use a screw type clamp off of larger 3 series saws. I just cut off the clip parts of the old clamp and put on one of the metal clamps.

 

[Keith Gandy]

I'm loving mine

359 carb intake and filter, unlimited coil, timing advanced, ported, squished, muff modded.

View attachment 205767

View attachment 205766

.

Thats the same setup as mine. Mine will flood super easy if it doesnt fire right up when cold