Husqvarna 357XP 13mm build...the undesirable one

[Backtroller]

Earlier this year I picked up a 357XP from Chipper1 as a “complete parts saw.” It turned out to be a 2001 early 13mm saw. It had a Meteor 15mm kit on it with a plastic clamp. The nipple inside of the boot was a little torn. The piston was junk, but the cylinder cleaned nicely. The price was right and I was pleased with what I received.Now as you can see from the service manual the width of the connecting rod is 13mm and not 15mm as with the newer 357 and 359 saws. According to some, this saw should be parted out or replace the crank with a 15mm. Well I’m a little stubborn and the saw was just too nice not to build. It was a low hour saw.

I was talking to @t4driller and he just happened to have a cut oem 357 cylinder He Also just happened to have a 13mm case there and mocked it up. Others have successfully done this in other saws. So, what the heck we decided to go for it and he ported this cylinder...hoping to beat one of his 359 saws.

 

[Backtroller]

This may take a little while

 

[Backtroller]

I bought a new Zama EL42 carb and sold the original HDA199. Also added a @Red97 deflector

 

[Backtroller]

I have a few ported cylinder pics but they’re Mikes tricks not mine.

 

[Backtroller]

Original pics

 

[Backtroller]

Squish is .020” and advanced the timing a bit (like 1/3 of the cast in key). That ended up being the cause of a great deal of frustration for me. More on that tomorrow.....

 

[paragonbuilder]

Looks like it is gonna turn out nice Pat.

 

[Backtroller]

Thanks. We used an oem 15mm piston and piston bearing in this. Driller put a few tanks through it before sending me the top end.

 

[Backtroller]

I had quite a difficult time after putting it all together and getting it to run. Since Driller had it running I knew that it was what I had done. I thought I had an air leak and had the boot off half a dozen times with the new metal band.

Then the next thing that was wrong was the impulse line. It was too long and I believe it was kinking.

 

[Backtroller]

She ran awful still, hard to start, reved slow and hot. Discovered that the cast flywheel key was broken. I must not have tightened it enough.

I was able to line it up and crank it down. This worked great and it now runs, starts and restarts great. @jacob j. sent me an other flywheel and I was able to advance it and tightened it down well.

 

[Backtroller]

 

[Backtroller]

Used it cutting down pine this week along with my 346 and it has stayed together and runs great. I enjoy running it. Good torque and it revs nice and quick.

Also has that color multi husky orange look lol

 

[EvilRoySlade]

I like it. I had Scott port me one on a non stuffed crank, it turned out really nice. They are a great saw.

 

[sawmikaze]

Looks good patty.

 

[Backtroller]

Thanks, after listening to people rave about them I had to get one.

It handles like a slightly larger 346, but has much more torque. It won’t replace my 346 though either. I guess they all have their places.

 

[Backtroller]

Driller ports a nice strong saw. I’ve been very impressed with both.

 

[EvilRoySlade]

Why’d you go Zama over 199? Especially having to buy to replace.

 

[jacob j.]

Looking good Pat. Mike is definitely one of the good old boys.

 

[Backtroller]

I know that some people love them, but I have not had any luck rebuilding 199s. They frustrate me. Driller has had good luck with the el42. It holds a tune and just works, every time(for my 346).

This one had some version of one and I had a 199 I originally bought for the 346. I did put a kit in, but it didn’t run right. I was able to sell both and have a few bucks left to buy the Zama. They’re only like $32 oem. I’m liking it so far.

I love the Walbros on my 026, hybrid, etc, but not this one.

 

[jacob j.]

People slam the Zama carbs but many of the Zamas run just fine. Randy helped me re-do my old 046 Mag years ago that had a butchered (locally ported) jug on it and now it's running
an 064 piston and a Zama carb and it's one of the best running saws I own. I've run bars as long as 42" on it.