346XP Fresh Piston and some Light Performance Work

[@IndianaDoug]

Good video Mr. Flagg👍🏻

[@richardflagg3084]

Hey Doug!!

[@StuInTheSticks]

346's in oe's are pretty nice running little saw's even in stock form, I know nothing earth shattering but it is only a 45cc 42mm bore so they do well for what they are. I love the one's I have just because of their light weight and quick handling, do the right performance work and yes they turn into angry little bugger's. Thanks for giving a great classic it's due respect, take care.

[@patrickvennard838]

I would love an original 346 to add to my 353, 357 collection. They just feel so good in the hand.

[@tennesseesawmillguy1590]

One of my favorite small saws, ever. Great little saw. I used one for years, cutting firewood.

[@woodstacker5241]

Nice build 👍

[@daphlavor]

Richard, I’ve been watching your great videos on the oils👍, and just found a place to get non ethanol gas, and bought a bottle of red armor. I have a 2012 353( I wanted the 346, but it was discontinued at the time), great information on that intake boot! I’m subscribed now. Thanks

[@richardflagg3084]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@arturk.vintagechainsaws3217]

You are an amazing guy! You're doing a great job! Your videos are absolutely fantastic. I have been using Motul 800 oil for years, but I had no comparison with better oils. Thanks to you, I already have it. keep it up and all the best from Poland!

[@richardflagg3084]

Thank you!

[@aaronpowell4885]

Turned out sweet! I'd say Ben's patience definitely was worth it! On a different note, I've got a whole new respect for red armors cleaning abilities. 16+ years ago I bought a cheap little "powerstarplus" 2 stroke "1200 watt" generator from Checkers to run a couple halogen lights and battery charger when I was dirt track racing. Worked well for that. God only knows how many 100's if not 1000+ hours the thing has on it, running whatever the cheap valvoline 2 cycle oil from autozone was, mixed roughly 40:1. Had a pretty good but not scary IMO amount of carbon on piston crown and in exhaust port. Anyway... mixed up a gallon of 100ll avgas with red armor 40:1 and ran that through it this afternoon, varying between 200-800w load. Holy carbon removal! I'd say after just the 1 gallon, exhaust port is atleast 50% cleaner and can start to see shiny spots on piston crown!😯 may not lube as well as bike oils but definitely impressed me today. Wander if any of these bike oils have near the cleaning ability? If so, I'd venture to guess hp-2 would be a good contender.

[@tedneitzel]

Good gains for woods port! Well done!

[@Mike_Mike_0]

Rich nice info about the impulse line ❤❤❤

[@johnhargis4566]

346 xp is the highest reving saw out of the box they may be some old timers like me that remember the 444 I believe it was the fastest ever 😊

[@farmerjackson709]

I have a 345 that I did some port work on. The exhaust opens at 97 degrees atdc so I might have got a little carried away. First few cut it doesn’t seem too bad

[@Hambonebodi]

That saw has had the hound ran out of it .❤

[@coolestguyontheplanet723]

Nice . 😊

[@oakeymt.outdoors]

I been looking for a 346xp but can't find one in my area.

[@kbittorf335]

If you do it will probably command a premium price! Used saw prices have gone through the roof around here.

[@oakeymt.outdoors]

@kbittorf335 I have seen a few on market place but have been too far way for me.

[@Super-Dave-Outdoors]

​@@oakeymt.outdoors look for a 340, 345, 350, 351, 353 They can all accept a 346 piston and cylinder with just some parts swapping, no machine work necessary.

[@richardflagg3084]

@@kbittorf335You got that right!

[@ethan12313]

You’re better off starting with one of the sister saws, and building the 346. 346 has become a very premium used saw nearly everywhere

[@Super-Dave-Outdoors]

I liked the air quotes at the end. Some "Builders" on the internet are so full of crap their eyes are brown. Kinda wonder if that is why that one fella keeps sunglasses on inside...

[@dennisyoung4631]

What *IS* a woods-port? How does it affect how the saw runs?

[@Super-Dave-Outdoors]

I think folks have different definitions for it. I still havent figured out if that is a no machine work build or just a non race build.

[@aaronpowell4885]

​@@Super-Dave-Outdoors I don't know either. But I've always taken it as no machine work and only widening/reshaping ports without really changing the #'s much.🤷🏻‍♂️

[@RyanTitcomb]

Richard! I've got an ms362c mtronic that will start and idle all day and will take about 1/2 throttle but bogs and dies as soon as you go wide open in or out of wood. Any ideas? Tried the reset procedures and it was worse

[@richardflagg3084]

Have you tried a fresh fuel filter? If you feel comfortable doing it pull the carb and check the internal screen. If it's clogged then clean the carb, inspect the diaphragms and make sure the fuel line doesn't have a crack in it. Worst case you may need a carb. That's my best guess without checking it in person.

[@RyanTitcomb]

I ended up stripping her down to bare cases. It was a used saw I bought in a bundle. It's definitely lacking some maintenance. I've got to pick up a fuel line and filter for it and I will put a carb kit in it. Good news is the piston and cylinder look mint. Bearings are nice and smooth. Thanks!

[@saltrock9642]

👍

[@batmantiss]

I was gonna break your stones about re using a spark plug, but I guess you don't need to remove it for the work you did

[@richardflagg3084]

😎

[@shaun4bigblocks993]

It boils my blood when someone takes a decent 42mm blue stamped OEM cylinder and start aimlessly grinding on it (didn't even use a degree wheel.) Some saws are better left alone. This is a collector saw. Unmolested 346 XP OE's are becoming so rare. Try to find that cylinder and when you do let me know how much is cost. Especially new in box. These are literally getting to the point where you need to treat them like collector cars- either don't run it or take the OEM cylinder and piston (granted yours was already toast) off, set it aside in a box, and put an aftermarket p & c on if you feel the need to run it. Also know how hard it is to find the air injection label in good shape- these are discontinued now and unless if you have an in with the forum and groups "gate keepers" hoarding new old stock you are not going to find one. It is generally known that Hisqvarna didn't leave a whole lot of "over clocking" head room with the OE. Granted, your green cap does benefit quite a bit from modifying the EPA muffler, but you failed to resist the urge to unnecessarily molest that OE cylinder just for clicks- shame on you!!!!

[@2019FiveLiter]

I own a OE 346xp. About 2 months ago I sent the original air injection recoil decal to sugar creek supply and they agreed to replicate that decal. They should have it for sale soon. Bought a few decals from them, they are an exact match to the oem stickers.

[@jakeblaha9233]

​​@@2019FiveLiter that is great news! I'll definitely be on the look out for those