My 357xp musings.

[Kiwioilboiler]

So, I'm starting a bit of a thread about the things I've discovered while mucking around with a few different 357s.
Hopefully some future schmo finds it useful to their build process.
Caveat. Updates will be sporadic. I take terrible photos, speak a near different language and have an OCD problem, but we'll push on regardless.

The subjects.
Top. 2008. Nicknamed Gravity, because it was subject to some of its effects it seems. Broken fins, tweaked handle, welded PTO side case top wing, missing starter side case bridge. Came to me straight gassed (and with no knowledge of breakage). Cleaned transfer, fitted used oem piston from middle saw, modded muffler and put it to work.

Middle. 2003. Nicknamed Mr Blobby due to the quality of another secret weld I found post online purchase. Ran when arrived. Fitted meteor piston, modded muffler, updated plastic clamp of death and put it to work.
Despite how well both these saws ran, I longed for a sound case version to put a ported cylinder on.

Enter bottom. 2001. Nicknamed Sturdy Box due to sellers listing description of included accessories.
Ran well, had sound cases but doubt remained about potential obsolete crank and piston...

 

[Kiwioilboiler]

I ran the 01 and 08 through my sub-sonic cleaning regime and stripped them all the way down to split cases.

(For those that care, remove all 6 case bolts, heat around bearing boss with heatgun to around 150c/300f and tap crank to split cases apart with soft faced hammer.)

First mildly interesting point: the cranks.

Definitely had the less desirable crank in the 01. I noticed this same little end change in similar vintage 365s recently so I wonder if Husky had a bit of a change of philosophy in any other models too.

The narrow little end does not appear to have been used in 359s according to ipls, so this does open up an opportunity to get around this issue. You maybe could retrofit the 357 stuffers onto a 359 crank and into an early saws cases so a modern wide rod available piston could be used, as narrow rod pistons are NLA.

New spec left. Square, cross-drilled 15mm.
NLA right. Tapered top, 13mm.

 

[Kiwioilboiler]

As to the crank and it's bearings.

The 357 stuffers defeat using a conventional two legged puller as there is no room between the bearing and the stuffer for the 'legs' of my type puller. I'm sure there are special bearing removal tools available, but I didn't have one, and didn't want to over invest or wait.

A piece of 3mm/ 1/8" scrap angle iron got an angle grinder relief rudely cut in to it and voila, bearings removed. I will reduce the width of the adapter before next use as it did deflect a little.

 

[cuinrearview]

Are you going to assemble one of them without stuffers? For science and stuff?

 

[Thesandman]

I have a 357xp and didn't realize there are more desirable serial numbers. YHVXS 0575RA. Piston and jug are 359 aftermarket. Saw runs and starts good. So I guess I piston isn't a worry, just crank and bearings?

 

[Kiwioilboiler]

Are you going to assemble one of them without stuffers? For science and stuff?

That would require a pair of matched ported control top ends Timoti, so I think the answer is NO.

 

[Kiwioilboiler]

I have a 357xp and didn't realize there are more desirable serial numbers. YHVXS 0575RA. Piston and jug are 359 aftermarket. Saw runs and starts good. So I guess I piston isn't a worry, just crank and bearings?

Sorry mate, that serial no. is not in a form I can decode.
Should be all numerical. Nine digits.

 

[cuinrearview]

That would require a pair of matched ported control top ends Timoti, so I think the answer is NO.

So three of the same saw? Sounds boring. Then again, if Vegemite gets you excited...

 

[Kiwioilboiler]

So three of the same saw? Sounds boring. Then again, if Vegemite gets you excited...

Ultimately, one of the same saw. So ultra boring.

And despite a half assed attempt at geographic breakfast spread research, you missed the mark there. Marmite thanks, Vegemite is the devil's excrement.

 

[cuinrearview]

Ultimately, one of the same saw. So ultra boring.

And despite a half assed attempt at geographic breakfast spread research, you missed the mark there. Marmite thanks, Vegemite is the devil's excrement.

My googles come up with "strong" and "salty" for both. I'll just leave it at that.

 

[CR888]

I open my windows when I drive past the Vegimite factory in Port Melbourne, damn it smells good.

 

[Kiwioilboiler]

I open my windows when I drive past the Vegimite factory in Port Melbourne, damn it smells good.

Liked for my family in Melbourne, not for Vegemite.

 

[Thesandman]

That number was on sticker on cylinder cover. Where is sn? Bought saw in 05 or 06.

 

[Kiwioilboiler]

That number was on sticker on cylinder cover. Where is sn?

Hiding under the handle where it bolts to both cylinder and case. PTO or chain side of saw.

 

[Wonkydonkey]

Ultimately, one of the same saw. So ultra boring.

And despite a half assed attempt at geographic breakfast spread research, you missed the mark there. Marmite thanks, Vegemite is the devil's excrement.

Then marmite must be the devil's babies gravy

 

[Thesandman]

Man Kiwi; I never would have found it. Thanks. Top row is 965 55 04 00so I think it's a 04. Second row is 04 2000034.

 

[Kiwioilboiler]

Man Kiwi; I never would have found it. Thanks. Top row is 965 55 04 00so I think it's a 04. Second row is 04 2000034.

So according to the big yellow screenshot thing in post 2, your saw has a wide rod crank. Which is good.

 

[Kiwioilboiler]

@cuinrearview I lied, but not deliberately. Forgot.

Two similar jugs will be secured, one for a 357 stuffed, one for a 359 unstuffed. But they won't live at the same address, or island even, so hard to be el sawo comparo directamundo.

 

[Kiwioilboiler]

Back to the musings...
At this point I have a sound saw with a nla crank, and definitely at least one welded saw with a current crank.
No drama llama, I'll put the 08 crank in the 01 cases....
Until I noticed that, like with the early to late 365/371/372 cases, Husky added extra gussets and bracing to later versions. Now they didn't do it to save money I'm guessing, so it must be an improvement.
In the following pics my pointer will be indicating a gusset or feature that is added to later cases.
PTO side. (See also nasty big ass weld).

 

[Kiwioilboiler]

Starter side.