Husky 346 OE to NE Intake conversion

[Agrarian]

I have a 346OE whose skins are pretty rough and a 350NE (with primer bulb) that is in great shape cosmetically. I want to take the 350 top cover, rear handle and primer stuff and wrap it around the mechanicals of the 346 OE. Is this possible? The parts look like they should fit.

I have to believe this has been done many times by people here if it is possible. I did a search but didn't turn up anything.

Any info is greatly appreciated.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Isn't the 350 top cover secured by screws as opposed to the quick straps found on the 346? If that's the case, I don't know if that would be an issue or not.. But that's the first thing that comes to my mind with that question.

 

[Onan18]

Isn't the 350 top cover secured by screws as opposed to the quick straps found on the 346? If that's the case, I don't know if that would be an issue or not.. But that's the first thing that comes to my mind with that question.

Good call, 346 has straps, 350 screws.

 

[Tor R]

350 top cover doesnt fit on 336 as stated over me.
350 Fuel thank fit, the same with start cover and clutch cover.
Are you planning to build a 3xx fleet now?

 

[Agrarian]

350 top cover doesnt fit on 336 as stated over me.
350 Fuel thank fit, the same with start cover and clutch cover.
Are you planning to build a 3xx fleet now?

I wanted to see what all this hype was about for the 346 and just working with what I've got. I've got a 359 carcass too that I might do something with.

 

[Agrarian]

Isn't the 350 top cover secured by screws as opposed to the quick straps found on the 346? If that's the case, I don't know if that would be an issue or not.. But that's the first thing that comes to my mind with that question.

Ok, if I buy just a 346 NE cover, will it accept the primer bulb assembly etc that I want to steal from the 350 and will it fit on the 346 OE crankcase?

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

I THINK so...

 

[psuiewalsh]

If you do not care about the primer setup you can plug the carb port and the port that returns fuel to the tank on the NE carb. I think the casting on the oe where the primer bracket screws to is missing the boss to mount it.

 

[Agrarian]

If you do not care about the primer setup you can plug the carb port and the port that returns fuel to the tank on the NE carb. I think the casting on the oe where the primer bracket screws to is missing the boss to mount it.

I'll have to check that - it would be a deal breaker I guess.

 

[ft. churchill]

I own a 346ne and I just did a porting job on a late model 350. I was suprised at how much looks like it will change from one saw to the other.

 

[idiotwithasaw]

Pretty much the only thing different is the case and top cover. If you want your can take your 346 top end and put it in your better looking 350 case. I actually prefer it that way, I think it's lighter.

 

[SawTroll]

Ok, if I buy just a 346 NE cover, will it accept the primer bulb assembly etc that I want to steal from the 350 and will it fit on the 346 OE crankcase?

It likely would be simpler to swap the carb assembly (including purge assembly) as well between the two saws. The carbs are basically the same, any difference has to do with age and not model (as far as I know).

 

[Tor R]

If I remember correct OE doesnt have mounting bracket for purge assembly, it look like an ear compared to OE.
You have to make the mounting bracket and find a way to attach it on OE

 

[Tor R]

pictures say more then words....
OE:


NE:




If you don't have this ear for the purge attachment you have to make one if you want to use NE topcover and purge.

 

[Onan18]

I think the purge mounts in the (filter holder) on a 350 and "floats". (I.e. not attached to crankcase).

Joe

 

[idiotwithasaw]

The purge bulb assembly on a 350 mounts to the carb box floor unlike a 346 which mounts like in the pictures above.

 

[idiotwithasaw]

Just block off the primer port on the carb and go on. It's one less thing to worry about.

 

[SawTroll]

Actually, I likely would have left the saws as they are - but of course I haven't seen them.....

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

I have a question/theory on the purge bulbs: Seems as though in my limited experience anyway, that the only saws that have purge bulbs are the saws equipped with Zama carbs. If this is true, I wonder what the deal is as to why a Walbro can draw fuel without a purge bulb and a Zama cannot??

However I would add: When I was trying to narrow down a stubborn tuning issue with an OE 346 I overhauled a little while back, I swapped in the Zama out of my personal NE 346 and just capped the purge line fitting on the carb. Saw started and ran just fine. And after figuring out that the accelerator pump in the Walbro was bad, I replaced it with the current Zama replacement for that saw...without a purge bulb.

So what's the big idea on this?? Why did Husky think they needed a purge bulb on these saws to begin with??

 

[Tor R]

So what's the big idea on this?? Why did Husky think they needed a purge bulb on these saws to begin with??

I have a few with purge bulb, never used the bulb, same goes to decomp valve.
2 things they never needed to have after my opinion