Poulan Counter-Vibe saw. Any points at cracking into one of these 3x00 series?

[gunnarfan]

Poulan countervibe 3400-3700. Numbers are obscured so I'm not sure. I got the saw in on trade. The spark and compression seem good for the saw. It's not starting at all however. From what I understand it sat for a while and is likely gummy. There was a little 250a that came with it that was seized up and scored from bad gas (may turn into a parts saw or be a rebuild). This saw may have avoided a similar fate. I haven't taken one of these apart to clean or swap parts on before. Any typical problems I should watch out for?

 

[FATGUY]

clean the carb, replace your fuel line and tank vent/line. Run it like you stole it.

 

[RandyMac]

They are a simple, robust machine, you might be surprised.

 

[OhioGregg]

Poulan countervibe 3400-3700. Numbers are obscured so I'm not sure. I got the saw in on trade. The spark and compression seem good for the saw. It's not starting at all however. From what I understand it sat for a while and is likely gummy. There was a little 250a that came with it that was seized up and scored from bad gas (may turn into a parts saw or be a rebuild). This saw may have avoided a similar fate. I haven't taken one of these apart to clean or swap parts on before. Any typical problems I should watch out for?

Probably the easiest way to tell if you have a 3400 or 3700 is to pull the muffler and look at the piston. The 3400 will have a chromed piston, with thick rings, and an un-plated cyl bore. Just the opposite for the 3700. They will have a chromed cyl, and un-plated piston, usually with thin rings.

Other than that, they are virtually identical. 56cc & 61cc. Most all will need the carb rebuilt, new fuel lines & filter. They are very easy saws to work on.


Gregg,

 

[Nardoo]

Replacing the fuel lines is important as Gregg said. My PP375 got new fuel lines as the old ones had crumbled. Mark has a good description of fitting the little duck bill if you search.

Al.

 

[zogger]

A "what if" question

Probably the easiest way to tell if you have a 3400 or 3700 is to pull the muffler and look at the piston. The 3400 will have a chromed piston, with thick rings, and an un-plated cyl bore. Just the opposite for the 3700. They will have a chromed cyl, and un-plated piston, usually with thin rings.

Other than that, they are virtually identical. 56cc & 61cc. Most all will need the carb rebuilt, new fuel lines & filter. They are very easy saws to work on.


Gregg,

What happens if you combine both chrome assemblies on one saw? Self destruct in two seconds, run just great? I really don't know and have been wondering about plated parts wear for awhile now.

 

[FATGUY]

an interesting question but you can't put a 3700 piston in a 3400 cylinder....

 

[OhioGregg]

What happens if you combine both chrome assemblies on one saw? Self destruct in two seconds, run just great? I really don't know and have been wondering about plated parts wear for awhile now.

To throw a monkey wrench into the equation. :msp_ohmy: I suppose you could TRY using a 3800 and 3700 for that test. LOL With an undoubtedly bad outcome! The 3800 and the later gray Craftsmans of that type, use the plated piston/unplated bore. I don't know of anyone who has tried it! It ain't gonna be me! LOL


Gregg,

 

[leeha]

Nick, Can you clean out your pm box.
Got a message to send ya.


Lee

 

[Eccentric]

Probably the easiest way to tell if you have a 3400 or 3700 is to pull the muffler and look at the piston. The 3400 will have a chromed piston, with thick rings, and an un-plated cyl bore. Just the opposite for the 3700. They will have a chromed cyl, and un-plated piston, usually with thin rings.

Other than that, they are virtually identical. 56cc & 61cc. Most all will need the carb rebuilt, new fuel lines & filter. They are very easy saws to work on.


Gregg,

What happens if you combine both chrome assemblies on one saw? Self destruct in two seconds, run just great? I really don't know and have been wondering about plated parts wear for awhile now.

an interesting question but you can't put a 3700 piston in a 3400 cylinder....

To throw a monkey wrench into the equation. :msp_ohmy: I suppose you could TRY using a 3800 and 3700 for that test. LOL With an undoubtedly bad outcome! The 3800 and the later gray Craftsmans of that type, use the plated piston/unplated bore. I don't know of anyone who has tried it! It ain't gonna be me! LOL


Gregg,

Yep. The OP could have a 3800, which would have a chromed piston (just like a 3400). Gotta measure the bore (popsicle stick through the port would be fine) to be sure. I would NOT want to try a 3800 piston in a 3700 jug. I am curious about what would happen however...

 

[gunnarfan]

Inbox is all cleared.

 

[Modifiedmark]

Yep. I would NOT want to try a 3800 piston in a 3700 jug. I am curious about what would happen however...

What would happen is you would have a press fit.

The cyl for a 3700 is 1.875" and 3800 is 1.880".

The 3800 piston is 1.875"

See, Poulan already made sure you can't try that.

 

[Eccentric]

What would happen is you would have a press fit.

The cyl for a 3700 is 1.875" and 3800 is 1.880".

The 3800 piston is 1.875"

See, Poulan already made sure you can't try that.

They wanted to make it 'shop proof'. I've known techs that'd try it if they could.......:cool2:

 

[Modifiedmark]

They wanted to make it 'shop proof'. I've known techs that'd try it if they could.......:cool2:

Techs? Yeah thats the name they use for a lot of those guys these days. Tech everything from tire Techs, to womens Nail techs.

 

[Eccentric]

Techs? Yeah thats the name they use for a lot of those guys these days. Tech everything from tire Techs, to womens Nail techs.

That's what they called 'em at Sears as far back as the '80s, maybe earlier (though that was before my time). Everything has a classification these days. I was an 'installer' during most of my time there (meant I made less money)..........but did more troubleshooting than most of the techs...

 

[CTYank]

Probably the easiest way to tell if you have a 3400 or 3700 is to pull the muffler and look at the piston. The 3400 will have a chromed piston, with thick rings, and an un-plated cyl bore. Just the opposite for the 3700. They will have a chromed cyl, and un-plated piston, usually with thin rings.

Other than that, they are virtually identical. 56cc & 61cc. Most all will need the carb rebuilt, new fuel lines & filter. They are very easy saws to work on.


Gregg,

Interesting you should say that about the 3400. Looking into the exhaust port of mine from '79, it sure looks like alum. piston and plated bore- just didn't want to check surface hardness with a scriber, though. :msp_unsure:

Per Clymer Chain Saw Service Manual, 10th Edition section on Poulan 375, 385, 395, 3400, 3700, 3800, 4000:
"All models are equipped with a cylinder that has a chrome plated bore except later Model 3400 that is equipped with a silicon impregnated cylinder bore."

The 2 rings in mine are noticeably thinner than 3/32", and things look way better than I'd expect after thousands of hours of runtime, were it a plain alum. bore.

 

[Modifiedmark]

Interesting you should say that about the 3400. Looking into the exhaust port of mine from '79, it sure looks like alum. piston and plated bore- just didn't want to check surface hardness with a scriber, though. :msp_unsure:

Per Clymer Chain Saw Service Manual, 10th Edition section on Poulan 375, 385, 395, 3400, 3700, 3800, 4000:
"All models are equipped with a cylinder that has a chrome plated bore except later Model 3400 that is equipped with a silicon impregnated cylinder bore."

The 2 rings in mine are noticeably thinner than 3/32", and things look way better than I'd expect after thousands of hours of runtime, were it a plain alum. bore.

You know, I swore when I worked at the dealer years ago, that I seen a 3400 with a chrome bore. It would have been around 79-81 or so.

I got to thinking later that it could have been a rebuilt cyl as they used to overbore them, chrome them and supply a oversized piston for them.

But if you bought yours new you would know for sure if it was original. Does yours have the adjustable oiler on it?

I really think the aluminum bore is way underratted though, they all lasted forever it seems.

 

[CTYank]

You know, I swore when I worked at the dealer years ago, that I seen a 3400 with a chrome bore. It would have been around 79-81 or so.

I got to thinking later that it could have been a rebuilt cyl as they used to overbore them, chrome them and supply a oversized piston for them.

But if you bought yours new you would know for sure if it was original. Does yours have the adjustable oiler on it?

I really think the aluminum bore is way underratted though, they all lasted forever it seems.

Mark,
The saw's engine is as it came out of the box back when, original as it can be, allowing for slight wear. According to info I can find, it is NOT one of the earliest series (with adjustable oiler); it has manual oiler and automatic with a fudged-up diaphragm. It has no chain brake nor bolt-on front-hand kickback protector.

Clymers says they are ALL chromed cyl, or silicon-impregnated; Mike Acres' site says "plain alum." Somebody's wrong. The thin rings on mine would seem to make plain alum unlikely.

Makes me wonder about what was going on in Shreveport. (I won't mention Monday or Friday here.)

 

[Modifiedmark]

Mark,
The saw's engine is as it came out of the box back when, original as it can be, allowing for slight wear. According to info I can find, it is NOT one of the earliest series (with adjustable oiler); it has manual oiler and automatic with a fudged-up diaphragm. It has no chain brake nor bolt-on front-hand kickback protector.

Clymers says they are ALL chromed cyl, or silicon-impregnated; Mike Acres' site says "plain alum." Somebody's wrong. The thin rings on mine would seem to make plain alum unlikely.

Makes me wonder about what was going on in Shreveport. (I won't mention Monday or Friday here.)

Well you never know and first thoughts is that maybe your got a 3700 P/C but the 3700 didnt come out till about a year later then the 3400's.

If yours is for sure thin steel rings it seems it would have to be a chrome bore. The 3700 cyl is a 1.875" bore. Maybe yours was a late 3400 and the 3700's were just coming out and you got lucky!

You can still get the oiler parts for your 3400 just so you know...

 

[gunnarfan]

Time to get off my duff and take some pics. This is a "new to me" saw on a trade and I really haven't given it much face time.