Craftsman 3.7 / poulan 3700 value and specs?

[Wagnerwerks]

Hi all. This is my first post, but I have already gleaned a great deal from this site. I am in the market for a wood cutting saw. Looking for something in the 50-60cc range. I almost bought a refurbished husky 455, but decided to go used. I'm a mechanic and do a lot of small engine work so an older saw doesn't scare me. I found a very nice 3.7 craftsman for 125 with a new bar and chain. Wondering if
that's a decent deal. Also can't seem to find HP and weight on this saw.

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

-Kris

 

[brokenbudget]

good saw welcome to the site.
look here for info:
Model Profile: 3700

 

[Wagnerwerks]

Bought it

Well, It's on the way. If anyone can lead me in a good direction for cool upgrades or a good deal on parts, please let me know. Thanks!

 

[Guido Salvage]

You need to toggle over to the Chainsaw Forum. At the top of the page there is a "Sticky" that contains a Poulan thread. Post any questions you may have there and they will be glad to help.

 

[Wagnerwerks]

You need to toggle over to the Chainsaw Forum. At the top of the page there is a "Sticky" that contains a Poulan thread. Post any questions you may have there and they will be glad to help.

Thank you very much!

 

[redunshee]

Thank you very much!

Yup. Go there. A lot of the guys will help. We love our old Poulans and this first thing to do is to open up the muffler a bit. It'll wake up the venerable 3700.
Bob

 

[blsnelling]

$125 sends way too high to me for a 3700. I'd much rather have a 4000 with a plated bore. I paid $100 for a mint 4000.

 

[Wagnerwerks]

The collector saws link is great. Ty guys. Well of course after hitting the buy button, I found info that contradicted all the other research I did. The saw I bought is actually a grey 3800. The guy listed it as a craftsman 3.7 "same as a 3700". So I guess I get a chrome piston not cylinder. :msp_unsure: Are there many other changes to the 3700 vs 3800? I'd like to compile them for the next guy to have a clear answer. Here's the info I have so far:

358.356091 Craftsman 3.7 = Poulan 3800
All info available is here:Model Profile: 3800

I keep reading that there are only minor (except for the chrome swap - piston/cylinder) but the weight is way dif. on the classic saw site.

 

[redunshee]

$125 sends way too high to me for a 3700. I'd much rather have a 4000 with a plated bore. I paid $100 for a mint 4000.

I agree to a certain extent, Brad. Craftsman saws seem to bring less than there indentical Poulan brethren. Lately though I've seen 3700 go in that price range. esp. on Ebay. Your 4000 purchase was outstanding but I think was an exception to the general selling prices . You got one hell of a deal.
Bob
Ps I totally agree that I'd take a 4000 over a 3700 but a 3700 beats a 3400 to heck.

 

[Wagnerwerks]

$125 sends way too high to me for a 3700. I'd much rather have a 4000 with a plated bore. I paid $100 for a mint 4000.

yeah... maybe I got hosed. I paid $90 plus $30 shipping. But at the same time, the saw looks mint and if I get a few years out of it, it will be fine with me. I heat with wood and cut for my aging g-parents too. I need a bigger saw and a new pro series wasn't in my budget. I have a 488 and 360 shinny now, so this will just get added to the stable. I couldn't find anything else in this cc range that wasn't BEAT for anything close to this one. Maybe I'll throw a 4000 piston/cylinder on it when it dies. I think I can do that, right?

 

[Wagnerwerks]

The collector saws link is great. Ty guys. Well of course after hitting the buy button, I found info that contradicted all the other research I did. The saw I bought is actually a grey 3800. The guy listed it as a craftsman 3.7 "same as a 3700". So I guess I get a chrome piston not cylinder. :msp_unsure: Are there many other changes to the 3700 vs 3800? I'd like to compile them for the next guy to have a clear answer. Here's the info I have so far:

358.356091 Craftsman 3.7 = Poulan 3800

I keep reading that there are only minor (except for the chrome swap - piston/cylinder) but the weight is way dif. on the classic saw site.

 

[blsnelling]

I'm not familiar with a 3800.

 

[Modifiedmark]

I'm not familiar with a 3800.

Apparently you're not too familiar with a 3700 either by recommending a 4000 over it just because of the chrome bore.

A 3700 is also a chrome bore with a thin ring piston and when muffler modded they will run right along side a 4000

I also think that a clean 3800 with a new bar and chain is a fair price is 125 dollars . What else are you gonna buy that's better for that price ?

I just sold a nice Craftsman/3800 and it brought $160 plus shipping so at least someone else disagrees with you .

 

[Wagnerwerks]

blsnelling- Thank you for your help. Opinions are welcome!

Modifiedmark- I'm glad to hear the $ I got was fair. I was thinking along the same lines... What else could I get with a mag case and bigger cc's for that price? Nothing I could find. I'm a novice at this older saw stuff. I can fix anything, but if it doesn't have a VW or land cruiser emblem, I need to do my homework

I'm gonna head over to the poulan sticky and ask about mods. Thanks again guys.

 

[OhioGregg]

I gotta agree with Mark on this one. The 3700 Poulan, and usually the red 3.7 Craftsmans are the same. The 3800 is the same cc (61) but with the plated piston, like most of the gray Craftsmans. Far as power goes. Not a whole lot of difference in the 3700 & 4000. I would much prefer a 4000 also, like Brad said. But cutting firewood, your not gonna notice much difference. I use both myself. 61cc to 64cc.

Price wise, I don't think that was to bad. I have got several 4000's at that price, but then have to put some work into them. Have seen some go in the $200-300 range. I wouldn't worry about the plated piston/bare bore thing either. The 3400 has the same setup. And, there are tons of them out there still working great, and have been for years.:msp_biggrin:


Gregg,

 

[Roanoker494]

Where the 3800 would not be my first choice it would certainly be in the top 5 for that money. Keep the air filter clean and watch for signs of it sucking fine debris through the carb, this is probably one of the biggest flaws with this series. The biggest differences between the 3700 and 3800 is the 3800 has the bare cylinder and the piston rings are thicker. As far as upgrades the best one will be the muffler mod, you will not regret it, but you could always find a Poulan 4000 "HD" air filter assembly.

 

[Wagnerwerks]

I know I'm just missing something here, but can someone direct me to a good muffler mod tutorial on this? At least some pictures? I can't even find a good post for a 3700. Help please.

 

[67 Mustang]

I know I'm just missing something here, but can someone direct me to a good muffler mod tutorial on this? At least some pictures? I can't even find a good post for a 3700. Help please.

Here is one that Mark has done.

http://www.arboristsite.com/stickies/98495-63.htm#post1763420

 

[67 Mustang]

The collector saws link is great. Ty guys. Well of course after hitting the buy button, I found info that contradicted all the other research I did. The saw I bought is actually a grey 3800. The guy listed it as a craftsman 3.7 "same as a 3700". So I guess I get a chrome piston not cylinder. :msp_unsure: Are there many other changes to the 3700 vs 3800? I'd like to compile them for the next guy to have a clear answer. Here's the info I have so far:

358.356091 Craftsman 3.7 = Poulan 3800
All info available is here:Model Profile: 3800

I keep reading that there are only minor (except for the chrome swap - piston/cylinder) but the weight is way dif. on the classic saw site.

You'll note that his weight included the bar and chain on the 3800 and there's no mention of that on the 3700 description. Probably didn't include it. There's not that much difference in weight. As long as the saw is in reasonable shape you'll be happy. Still have the Craftsman 358.356091 I bought new in 1987. I don't think you overpaid for the saw based on the prices that saws have been selling for on eBay lately.

 

[OhioGregg]

Yes, The added outlet is important I have just drilled a couple holes in the front of the muffler. Due to lack of welding skills like Mark posses.:msp_wink: You could maybe find a 4000 muffler. They have an added outlet on the side. I think all of us, remove the very restrictive spark screen in them also. Then drill out the holes in the center baffle larger.

Here is a 4000 muffler.

Here is another pic of one done by Mark.

Gregg,