Nice Find....I hope

If the muffler is already loose, pull it off and let's have a look at the piston. Difficulties with the low side raise a flag right away on possible air leak.

And btw, awesome score! These are my favorite home owner series chainsaws.

 

Sure hope it wasn't the chair that was free!
Nice find! From what you describe I would suspect a leaking fuel line (in the tank) or maybe even leaky crank seal(s), hope not, hopefully it is just carb related...

 

Address the intake boot as first mentioned by MasterMech and pull the muffler check the piston for scoring.

Before my 351 died due to the leaky clamp (Stihl intake clamp used during my rebuild) it had similar symptoms.

Nonetheless, nice saw if you get it running proper. Good aftermarket top ends now available to turn it into a 346xp for decent price.

 

That is a much better free saw then the one I just got, good find, and for the price you have into it right now putting a few $ into it to get a good running saw isn't so bad.

 

Nice find ..... also check your spark screen.

I think this is the right number for clamp update: Husky intake boot clamp conversion,pix

 

Near minute 10:30 and on he gives a nice explanation of the issue with the clamp.
Piston looks dirty, but not scored and the exhaust port is clean. Fuel line is in good shape. I'm going to head down the road to change to the metal clamp.

Thank everybody and Happy Easter!

 

I think you nailed it. Although not cracked, even when the latch is engaged there's no compression on the seal. That might explain why it will run better when I baby it and gets hot, allowing the cylinder inlet port to expand so eventually a seal is created.

 

All I do is cut off the plastic clamp and put on a 372 screw type metal one. Pretty cheap fix. I'll find the part number for ya.

 

So for the cost of this clamp, you'd be good to go.

 

Nice find.

Soooo did you get the chair?

 

I bought the $7 clip/boot transition. I pulled the jug to deal with it and I'm glad I did. Put it all back together and it runs like a champ. Went out and got a 16" bar for it.
It was a good find. If for no other reason than I've never torn a saw apart. Excellent learning experience and I've got another saw to boot.
Thanks for all the help!