Bringing a dead 359 back to life

[XP_Slinger]

So how does this complete shot in the dark sound: base gasket go bye-bye, raise transfers and exhaust both 3 deg, and of course re-working those God awful lower transfers.

I would say let's find out where the ports are opening before deciding how much to raise anything.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

True, good idea

 

[idiotwithasaw]

Nah, grind away

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[RIDE-RED 350r]

I made some good progress on my 359 resurrection project today. I got my parts all nice and clean in the parts wash tank the other day. And today I went down to my work (with the boss's permission) and used the press to install the new crank bearings and get the bottom end back together.

I also decided I might as well get any other parts installed that I can while waiting on my Meteor piston, intake partition, and intake boot I ordered the other day. Those should arrive by the end of this week.

All I have left to get for this saw is an oil pump drive gear, clutch bearing, clutch drum, clutch, rim sprocket, chain, and 2 recoil screws.

Almost there!!

Now since I have just picked up my dream project of a 394, I'm going to skip porting this 359.....for now. I'm just going to put it back together stock for the time being and I will go back in later on and see what I can do for porting. I'm just too anxious to dig into my 394!

Regardless, I am still excited to get this saw running once again, if even temporarily in stock config.

So here is today's progress..
[/ATTACH]

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Overdue update here...

I had to earn a little extra cash to order some parts for the 359 and I just picked them up yesterday. I got the new piston installed and the top end on. I also scored a clutch drum, clutch bearing, clutch, rim sprocket and oil pump drive gear used at GKS for $25!

I pulled the covers off my new-to-me Walbro HDA 175 carb and found it to be spotless inside.

So at this point I am down to the last few odds and ends being a chain, air filter, air filter retainer, fuel line, fuel filter and two recoil housing bolts...I think that's it!

Now, I gave the cylinder the Mastermind treatment and while it didn't come out too badly, some marks still remained. I ran a quick compression check and was pleasantly surprised to find that it pulled 175psi. Granted there was probably a little more oil present in the cylinder from assembly... I use premix oil as assembly lube, applying an even film in the cylinder and on the piston, not the point it is dripping though. It should be noted that I did leave the base gasket out.

So I think next payday I'll order those remaining parts from HL Supply and get this thing running once again!

Crazy as it may sound, I am toying with the idea of selling this saw off to finance my 394 overhaul.. I was on the fence for awhile, but I'm now leaning toward keeping it. I think it will be a nice work saw with a simple base gasket delete and pulling an 18" bar with 3/8 round ground chisel chain...

Here is how she sits now.... Wont be long!

 

[Jimmy in NC]

I've put a bit of fuel through a 394 last few days..keep the 359 too...394 has a place...but the heavy pigs are....HEAVY! Once the new wears off you will understand.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Yeah, I think I am going to keep this 359, even though I have a nice moderately modded/soon to be ported 357 in that size. I have an issue with hoarding certain things..

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

The 359 lives!

Got my last few little parts rounded up today, air filter, filter retainer, fuel line, fuel filter, carb metering diaphragm cover screw, two recoil mount screws and chain. I had a little hiccup with the killswitch, saw wouldn't shut off. Found my kill ground wire was broken inside right near the ring connector. Replaced that, tuned the saw and worked it today.

Now the only mods I did was a base gasket delete and I beveled and blended those horrendous lower transfers. I know the lower transfer work probably isn't worth much but I couldn't put it back together without smoothing them up. I am running the blue 13.3k coil that was in my 372. All in all, I am very happy with the way this saw runs with an 18" bar and 3/8 full comp round ground chisel. No, it isn't spinning big RPM numbers, but I buried the bar in some ash today and it really did well. The saw has great torque, and even though it isn't spooling sky-high numbers, it mantains extremely well under a load. I really enjoyed running this saw and not only have I decided to keep it, but I'm also going to leave it the way it is. I'll be porting my 357xp next so that will be my 60cc hot-rod. I also think that this will be a good saw to break my son in with when it's time to step up to a little bit larger saw.

I still need just one more part, the chain tensioner. I discovered today as I was putting the B&C on that there is something wrong with tensioner making it very hard to turn. The gear teeth are beat up as well. Best I can tell I have a combination of two problems with it, 1 being that the screw is bent a little, and the other is the threads are a bit buggered up. So I'll pick up a good used unit and swap it in. I was able to work with it just enough to be able to safely run the saw today. So if anyone has a good working used tensioner assembly, shoot me a PM.

Next up: 394xp overhaul and mod!

 

[1990Husky262]

I have always found 359s to be good runners. Good torque and just a good all around saw

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

That is exactly my impression. Not as snappy as my 346 or 357, doesn't spool sky-high RPMs, but dang does it have good power and keep pulling.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Here is what it looked like when I got it..I bought it from AS member Tickhound93, he was advertising it as a part-out. Guess you could say I felt a little sorry for the old girl and thought I might try my hand at nursing her back to health.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Here it is as it sits now. A little dirty from working it today..

 

[Duane(Pa)]

Here it is as it sits now. A little dirty from working it today..

View attachment 19387 View attachment 19388

Lookin' good! Did you do a muffler mod? Pretty sure you will be pleased if you do....

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Actually, I did not do the muffler mod. I opted to let this one stay "quiet" for now. It's not off the table completely though, I have a couple of Red97 deflectors, one is going on the 394 and the other doesn't have a home yet...Might be a sign?