husqvarna 359/7 build

[redtractor]

The cylinder design of the.. 385 are much superior to any German design - that just is fact.

There are other Husky cylinders, that look about the same (transfers from the case) , but needs much more work to really perform according to the cc, as they are less well ported to begin with (390).

I was thinking of upgrading my 385 to 390. As a firewood saw, should I not worry about the trouble (and money)?

 

[Jimmy in NC]

I was thinking of upgrading my 385 to 390. As a firewood saw, should I not worry about the trouble (and money)?

I wouldn't. 385 is a damn fine saw.

 

[redtractor]

Thank you. More money for the other projects!

 

[Tor R]

First couple times out with the the 359/357 my wife was helping and she said "that one doesn't cut as fast as the others". She usually could care less, but it was that noticeable. Good saw though and I will do a little grinding on it soon, or something.

Don, what race is your dog? (It reminds me of the body building to dachs dog)

 

[SawTroll]

I was thinking of upgrading my 385 to 390. As a firewood saw, should I not worry about the trouble (and money)?

Not unless you are having the 390 top end ported by by a competent person. You can gain a lot by opening the 385 at both ends though (carb and muffler), without touching the cylinder.

 

[redtractor]

Which carb would you swap into the 385?

 

[SawTroll]

Which carb would you swap into the 385?

The RWJ-4 of the 372XT is an obvious candidate, 19.05mm vs. about 17.5 helps.

You will have to open the muffler as well though, or better make one with a larger volume. The mufflers obviously are too small on those saws, but most "saw modifiers" don't want to talk about that, as it would complicate their work.

 

[XP_Slinger]

Leaned it out a bit, still plenty rich. Nice little saw. Think it can go a bit higher if needed.

20" 3/8

Sounds like success! Nice running saw...

 

[SawTroll]

what about a 359 top end with 357 stuffers?

As I understand it, that's a much better idea than a 357 top end without them - but the best idea still is a 357xp (with stuffers).

 

[Jughead]

The 359/7 has to be my new favorite.I do like the 036/360 and canot get decent gains out of those with the gasket delete and muffler mod but seems the husky has a lot more balls.I have two more 359's on the back burner for later this winter.

 

[sunfish]

Don, what race is your dog? (It reminds me of the body building to dachs dog)

She is a miniature Dachshund & a fine little dog she is. Thanks for asking.

 

[sunfish]

As I understand it, that's a much better idea than a 357 top end without them - but the best idea still is a 357xp (with stuffers).

I agree, next 359 I do will have a 359 top end ported.

If I do use a 357 top end, it will get stuffers.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

The 359/7 has to be my new favorite.I do like the 036/360 and canot get decent gains out of those with the gasket delete and muffler mod but seems the husky has a lot more balls.I have two more 359's on the back burner for later this winter.

I don't have as much time running 359 as I do 357, but I can say they are both fantastic machines. I don't think there is a better choice than a 357 for a one-saw plan for most average Joe's out there.

Admittedly I make this statement as a person who has only run a 562 for a couple of hard maple cookies. Great machine, but I'm not ready to let go of my 357 just yet.

 

[sunfish]

I don't have as much time running 359 as I do 357, but I can say they are both fantastic machines. I don't think there is a better choice than a 357 for a one-saw plan for most average Joe's out there.

Admittedly I make this statement as a person who has only run a 562 for a couple of hard maple cookies. Great machine, but I'm not ready to let go of my 357 just yet.

359 & 357xp were kind of over looked in their time. Fantastic saws and gaining in popularity now it seems.

 

[SawTroll]

359 & 357xp were kind of over looked in their time. Fantastic saws and gaining in popularity now it seems.

The 357xp had quite a following on saw forums for a while - but suffered a bit eventually by being only 56.5cc, while being lumped into the 60cc class when it came to comparisons. People forgot that it really replaced the 254xp, and not the 262xp - and when being compared to the 262xp, the power didn't quite "make it".
The 359 was the purposely lower performing "semi-pro" version, and took a "back seat" on the forums because of the low power specs.

In addition, the saws were heavier than some of the competition (most notably the MS361) in real life, after they had to reinforce the case on an early stage in production.

 

[Lightning Performance]

Good runner.

In response to SawTroll
It sounds to me, I have no real input on 357/9, like the saw was rated by bench racers and numbers. That peak HP number don't mean *s-word in the real world. That's just my honest opinion on most OPE stuffs and stuff.

 

[XP_Slinger]

Good runner.

In response to SawTroll
It sounds to me, I have no real input on 357/9, like the saw was rated by bench racers and numbers. That peak HP number don't mean *s-word in the real world. That's just my honest opinion on most OPE stuffs and stuff.

I agree, numbers can be misleading with regard to how a saw performs. Had my brother not had a 357XP I would've over looked it. We always hear and talk about the legendary 372 and 346's which leaves the 357/9 in the purgatory of that middle ground that never got much attention. I recently did a build thread on a 359 and I was darned impressed with how it ran stock. Not a high rpm screamer, just had a strong feel to it. Joe and I had this conversation yesterday after a few hours blocking wood. If I ever had to sell any of my saws the 357XP would be the last to go. Criminal to some I'm sure, but I love that saw.

 

[mdavlee]

The RWJ-4 of the 372XT is an obvious candidate, 19.05mm vs. about 17.5 helps.

You will have to open the muffler as well though, or better make one with a larger volume. The mufflers obviously are too small on those saws, but most "saw modifiers" don't want to talk about that, as it would complicate their work.

The RWJ on the ones I've done didn't gain much. Next one to try is a 660 carb for me.

 

[XP_Slinger]

The RWJ on the ones I've done didn't gain much. Next one to try is a 660 carb for me.

I wonder if the minimal gains are due to the fact that the RWJ is designed to run with the strato divider in the carb. I removed the divider in my 372XT carb and have been considering putting it back in to see what it does.

 

[sunfish]

If I ever had to sell any of my saws the 357XP would be the last to go

I resemble that remark.