Nik's Poulan Thread

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If you're able to check the compression on the saws I think you'll find the 3700 has higher compression than the 3800

Yeah, you guys are right. I gave the 3800 3.7 to my cousin, not because I wasn't happy with it but he wanted a bigger saw and really liked it. Who am I to deny a guy from a good saw! Anyway he loves it so that's all that matters. I think his had around 135psi and my 3.7 and 3700 have a bit over 150 which is high for these saws. Those both feel as strong as my 2 4000s and my PP395.
 
Yeah, you guys are right. I gave the 3800 3.7 to my cousin, not because I wasn't happy with it but he wanted a bigger saw and really liked it. Who am I to deny a guy from a good saw! Anyway he loves it so that's all that matters. I think his had around 135psi and my 3.7 and 3700 have a bit over 150 which is high for these saws. Those both feel as strong as my 2 4000s and my PP395.

Joe when I dropped the cylinder on my 3800 I got 150 PSI out of it. When I dropped the cylinder the same amount on my 3700 I got 180 PSI. There is something about the design of the two thin rings that just makes better compression.
 
Anybody here get this? Guido?

1a0ab9727fe9961c52f7f57ccc7e2ce9_zps0decbcd4.jpg


I sent an email about 6 hours after the ad was put up, with no response, and it was deleted 24 hours later. :(
 
Joe when I dropped the cylinder on my 3800 I got 150 PSI out of it. When I dropped the cylinder the same amount on my 3700 I got 180 PSI. There is something about the design of the two thin rings that just makes better compression.

Boy, I dont know what you guys did to get compression like that? If I've gotten 140-145 on my saws, I immediately run in the house and kiss my wife. If it hit 180, watch out!
Bob
 
Boy, I dont know what you guys did to get compression like that? If I've gotten 140-145 on my saws, I immediately run in the house and kiss my wife. If it hit 180, watch out!
Bob

Bob, I built a 3700 for a guy last year and it was real close to 200 but I did put the jug on my lathe and take some off the base. If you want some compression on a Poulan just send the short block over here and I'll fix you right up....
 
Mark, I feel kinda dirty to admit it but the Stihls are what fund my shabby green obsession. And the 1020 is missing a starter cover so I think I'll sell it for scrap.:msp_wink:

No problem there, I understand completely, just ribbing you some. The only thing I like better then taking some money from some Stihlheads hand is taking it knowing that its money that one of my local Stihl dealers won't be getting.:rock:
 
Yep. I saw it too.:D

As Allan and Tim said...................the Stihls are good for sellin' to pay for good stuff....:D

Some models of Poulan and Craftsman are doing well as sellers this year. I have several that I wouldn't want to sell though. Poulan 25s are kinda the exception, much better for cutting than selling. I saw another rare 250A on ebay recently. lol
 
Boy, I dont know what you guys did to get compression like that? If I've gotten 140-145 on my saws, I immediately run in the house and kiss my wife. If it hit 180, watch out!
Bob

Just wait until you run one with 180 psi.

I do not want to know what you would do then.

279921d1361208017-img_1557-jpg


Although I did get the timing backwards on this one and had to go back and correct it. I had 4 degrees retarted and took it to 4 degrees advanced. I was so convinced it took several people to get me thinking straight on it.

View attachment 279921
 
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What do I have here?

It's a red Craftsman 3.7 18, although it's now wearing a 20" bar and chain. It seemed a little low on compression so I started it up by priming it since it hadn't been started in months and was dry before I fueled it up. It ran okay so I shut it off and checked the compression and it showed 120 psi. I pulled the muffler and it was a two ring piston. Both the piston and cylinder were shiny so I couldn't guess which was chrome. The piston only had slight scarring at the top, above the top ring. Between the rings it was gold colored.
 
It's a red Craftsman 3.7 18, although it's now wearing a 20" bar and chain. It seemed a little low on compression so I started it up by priming it since it hadn't been started in months and was dry before I fueled it up. It ran okay so I shut it off and checked the compression and it showed 120 psi. I pulled the muffler and it was a two ring piston. Both the piston and cylinder were shiny so I couldn't guess which was chrome. The piston only had slight scarring at the top, above the top ring. Between the rings it was gold colored.

If it has thick rings then it's a 3800 with a chromed piston and bare bore. If it has thin rings then it's a 3700 with a bare piston and a chromed bore. If you're unsure about the rings, pull the muffler on a 3400 and look at the rings. Those are thick, and a 3800 will have rings of the same thickness. A 3700 will have rings that are about 1/2 as thick.
 
If it has thick rings then it's a 3800 with a chromed piston and bare bore. If it has thin rings then it's a 3700 with a bare piston and a chromed bore. If you're unsure about the rings, pull the muffler on a 3400 and look at the rings. Those are thick, and a 3800 will have rings of the same thickness. A 3700 will have rings that are about 1/2 as thick.

I'm kinda guessing about this but it looks to be the thick rings. I figured the gold on the side of the piston was the undercoat for the chrome plating. I don't think I've ever had one of these saws with the chrome bore yet. I'm down to only two of these now, a 3400 and the 3.7. The 3400 seems to have a lot more compression but I haven't tested it yet.
 
Since I didn't have much else to do and we have this balmy weather today(58 degrees, 20 below wind chill) I went to the shop and took both the mufflers off from the 3400 and the 3.7. The rings appear to be the same thickness on both saws so I'm presuming that the 3.7 is really a 3.8. I also noticed the 3.7 also had a muffler mod so I did the same on the 3400.
Do you think it would do any good to re-ring the 3.8 to up the compression a little or is the aluminum cylinder the problem?
 
Ok gurus..... I bought some stuff today that you will be interested in. I need some ID help with old poulan numbers.

Here are a few...

24085
10531
23389
24769
25954
69033
27184
11564----some of you may know this one off the top of your head..lol.

I have tons more. It was a good day, but my saw money is spent... Lol
 
0218131557.jpg

0218131556.jpg

245 I just picked up today, It seems to be in nice shape!
It's missing the carb and spacer, but well worth the $20!
So...Anyone have a carb and spacer?


0217130745.jpg

Todays mystery: Two Poulan 361 cylinders Why are they different? Or is one possibly not a 361?
The bores are the same, one has a boss for a decomp.
thanks!
j
 
0218131557.jpg

0218131556.jpg

245 I just picked up today, It seems to be in nice shape!
It's missing the carb and spacer, but well worth the $20!
So...Anyone have a carb and spacer?


0217130745.jpg

Todays mystery: Two Poulan 361 cylinders Why are they different? Or is one possibly not a 361?
The bores are the same, one has a boss for a decomp.
thanks!
j
Should I throw them in the same box as your reed block? they are yours if you want them, I will PM you with some trade material.
 

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