Just had a 55 given to me :)

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Well, a friend I have been fixing saws for just brought me what should be a closed port 55 powerhead for a horsetrade payment for my services. I say this because it was made in '97 and my brother has a closed port 55 that was made in '98. Cosmetically, it's really in pretty fair condition!

I don't know what issues it has, it was just dropped off to me literally 20 minutes ago. All I know right now is that it is not locked up, but doesn't seem to have much compression when I turn the clutch by hand. If indeed the top end is toast, I hope the cylinder is OK.

So, I have added 2 project saws to my bench in the last month... I think I have a problem!!

 

[P.M.P.]

FREE CHIT
YOU SUCKKKKKK

 

[lwhaples]

Nice!

 

[jakethesnake]

Those are nice saws I have a rancher I pick it up most of the time 346 is a touch more powerful but 55 is special to me

 

[dougand3]

Nice. I love the 55. Yours is extra special because it has chain guard, muffler bracket and fuel tank vent cover.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Well, I just got back in from reducing my 359 project to a box of parts...

When I got finished with that, I had a closer look at the 55. It's not a closed port saw after all, no "+++++" markings on the cylinder... Oh well, no biggie. It is in line on the bench behind my 359 project. Besides the parts that are obviously missing currently, I still don't know what it needs in terms of repair. Maybe tomorrow I'll fish the recoil rope out and run a compression check on it.

One thing I can say is that eventually it will run again.

I have a problem!! LOL!

 

[XP_Slinger]

I have a problem!! LOL!

Yes...yes you do

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Shaddap!

 

[Tor R]

Well, I just got back in from reducing my 359 project to a box of parts...

When I got finished with that, I had a closer look at the 55. It's not a closed port saw after all, no "+++++" markings on the cylinder... Oh well, no biggie. It is in line on the bench behind my 359 project. Besides the parts that are obviously missing currently, I still don't know what it needs in terms of repair. Maybe tomorrow I'll fish the recoil rope out and run a compression check on it.

One thing I can say is that eventually it will run again.

I have a problem!! LOL!

open port jug?
I have one 55 part saw, year 93, had open port jug.
Only got it because I could use some of those parts on 254

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

I haven't pulled the jug to confirm but from what I understand, the closed port 55 cylinders have "+++++" markings cast on the clutch side of the cylinder between 2 cooling fins. One of my brothers has one of these saws and when the top end was removed for a base gasket delete we confirmed the port design.

This 55 I got today does not have the "+++++" markings. So it should be an open port design..

I'm thinking just for fun I might try one of those cheaper than dirt ebay engine kits that include crank bearings, seals, piston, wrist pin bearing, starter handle, fuel filter, fuel line, etc etc and see if I can make a cheap junkyard dog out of it..

I'm not even sure if it needs an overhaul or not.. Planning to do some cutting tomorrow and if I find some extra time I might pull the top end and have a look-see.

 

[Wolverine]

My son has a 55. Has both OP and CP cylinders to play around with. After the switch to CP the gain wasn't as large as we both expected. And we both agreed the AV on these saws prevented the desire to have it ported. He recently acquired a JRed 2150 for that.

 

[XP_Slinger]

Shaddap!

Yes sir...lol

 

[Simondo]

I haven't pulled the jug to confirm but from what I understand, the closed port 55 cylinders have "+++++" markings cast on the clutch side of the cylinder between 2 cooling fins. One of my brothers has one of these saws and when the top end was removed for a base gasket delete we confirmed the port design.

This 55 I got today does not have the "+++++" markings. So it should be an open port design..

I'm thinking just for fun I might try one of those cheaper than dirt ebay engine kits that include crank bearings, seals, piston, wrist pin bearing, starter handle, fuel filter, fuel line, etc etc and see if I can make a cheap junkyard dog out of it..

I'm not even sure if it needs an overhaul or not.. Planning to do some cutting tomorrow and if I find some extra time I might pull the top end and have a look-see.

If you do a little work on the cylinder and muffler I think you may be pleasantly surprised how the open port responds.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Well, I had a few minutes today so I pulled the top end to have a peek. It is an open port cylinder.

Piston and cylinder are toast and I don't think the cylinder can be saved, it's pretty bad.

So I had this idea, I'm thinking about seeing if I can make an ultra-cheap junkyard dog out of this thing. I see some chinese made kits on ebay that include crank bearings, seals, piston, wristpin bearing, cylinder, fuel line, fuel filter, recoil handle and gaskets for about $35. Think I might experiment a little with this one just for the fun of it. Get one of those el-cheapo kits and see what it can do and how it holds up.

 

[Simondo]

Well, I had a few minutes today so I pulled the top end to have a peek. It is an open port cylinder.

Piston and cylinder are toast and I don't think the cylinder can be saved, it's pretty bad.

So I had this idea, I'm thinking about seeing if I can make an ultra-cheap junkyard dog out of this thing. I see some chinese made kits on ebay that include crank bearings, seals, piston, wristpin bearing, cylinder, fuel line, fuel filter, recoil handle and gaskets for about $35. Think I might experiment a little with this one just for the fun of it. Get one of those el-cheapo kits and see what it can do and how it holds up.

Worth a go if you have a saw with a un leaking bottom end ! ? ..in the spirit of a Cheeeeep saw build .

 

[Tor R]

Your 55 jug, is it Mahle 46ZD3?
And can't you just put one 50 jug on it?

 

[Onan18]

There is an aftermarket company (meteor I think) that is making a CP top end.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Your 55 jug, is it Mahle 46ZD3?
And can't you just put one 50 jug on it?

It is a Mahle cylinder, and the number you list sounds right but I didn't write it down.

From what I can see shopping around for 55 top end kits, it looks like a 51 top end will bolt right up.

 

[Motorhead]

Put some fingers in that open port cylinder you'll be pleasantly surprised.

 

[nnero]

Not to hijack but I was just given one of these as well. I've been looking for a 50ish cc saw for a while. I need p and c, top cover and handlebar and am trying to figure if it's worth messing with. How do these saws run? As compared a ms260 for example. These aren't pro grade but it has mag case and rim sprekcet? Sorry I don't know anything about Husqvarna lol