Husky 365- A typical money maker project

1.  INTRO

I remembered a siezed Husky 365 I bought 10 years ago, while stacking shelves with the 372, 52mm Big Bore kits***. Amazed that my memory actually worked, I decided then and there to procrastinate for a long time...

3 years on, coming in to summer, while packing chainsaw mills***, I remembered again. I decided then and there to procrastinate for even longer.

4 years on, while packing the new range of bars and chains***, I decided that I had mulled over the saw long enough  to start a little project- turn the 1997 365 into a 372 Big Bore torque saw to suit a 24" mill***.

***   = pathetic attempt to push parts...

The plan is to focus on the costs and profits, rather than a meticulous screw by screw documentary! There are some great you tube videos by afleetcommand for one. Google!

These are great for building, but I want to focus on profits, still some pics to keep you looking though!

2.  THE SAW.

Husqvarna 365. 1997. Standard 48mm bore. Zama carby. Black coil!

I would say this saw did 50-100 hours, straight fueled, then left in a shipping container for a rainy day

Lean/ straight fuel partial seize- 90psi.

Otherwise, good cond, moldy, rusty

This was, and still is, findable for around $50-100

 Here are some more pics as the saw is pulled apart for assesment-

Original bar, maybe chain. Straight but ugly. Dress, paint or replace?

The mold has stained the plastic, Wash off the worst, Try bleach, vinegar, oxy. Or replace with new- genuine Husky, or aftermarket? hmmm.

Upgrade to 372 HD filter top, inlet, filter etc.?

Muffler is past saving, and begging for aftermarket free-flow box/bracket. An easy decision!

No cracks here

20 years old today? Wonder what a new saw today will be like in 20 years time?

Thought this was repair/filler, but after putting my glasses on, it was just rust from screws. Most screws still in place- great, husky screws tricky to get.

Original filter- clean up as perfectly good.

Decals all good. invaluable for sale price. Can buy, but pricey.

Clutch etc, should clean up fine. New bar plate, cheap?

Flywheel fine, but rusty. Clean or replace? Hope black coil is good!

Quite happy that the cylinder is being replaced.

Zama carby good for 365, Need the Walbro clone for tuning the larger new cylinder though. and its rusty...

Cylinder off, and crank is tight/ clean. Keep crank as is.

Used to be a dreaded sight!. Now its probably the easiest & cheapest major part to fix.

 3.  REBUILD FOR MAXIMUM PROFIT.

OK, Building saws is fun. Challenging, intriguing, rewarding; but how can we make some cash profit on top? Some key points-

1.   Don't pay too much for the saw. Obvious, I know! but a saw is a useless thing in bits. Yes, it has value to look at if "special", but cutting is what they are for. This 365 was a good buy. Obvious cause of failure, parts easy and economical to buy. Labour is your own time, you can fit the work in to your schedule, and as it's fun, not a chore.

2.   Don't replace things that don't need replacing, exception being in final "look" of the saw. You need to balance the cost of a part with the potential profit that part will add.

3.  Genuine parts look good, very hard to justify the cost though. Thats why the saw you buy is not worth much! Sometimes, a small genuine part looks good though; decals, correct screws etc. Always look for NOS (New Old Stock) parts at a fair price.

4.   Aftermarket parts are the main affordable parts source. Look for quality parts, compare prices, consider service/ feedback, returning faulty parts. I am a bit too involved to say much more without looking like an advert!

5.   Always try to imagine you are buying the saw; whats it worth to you?

HOW & WHY I BUILT THIS 365.

1.   Parts, obvious-

          Cylinder kit, went 372 Big Bore as awesome, straight swap.

          Carby, old one rusty, too small, straight swap.

          Muffler, best one is cheaper than brazing old one.

          Bearing for piston + clutch, fuel line, fuel filter- obvious really.

          Metal intake support. plastic one broke, as usual!

2.   Refinishing-

         I wanted to do this one as a home type project, so plastic dish scourer, soapy water, dash of bleach. wash              the lot! Dry in sun, comes out dry, faded, still a bit stained and dark.

         Then spray with cheapo spray oil, rub with baby oil (mineral), best stain remover ever!

         Repeat, sun bake etc. until bright and shiny.

         Soak all small parts in fuel/oil mix.

3.   Googled IPL (Illustrated Parts List), and assembled.

THE OUTCOME.

NEXT WEEK!