Nik's Poulan Thread

[ChipsFlyin]

Goofy weather at camp this weekend. Cleared up in about 2 hours.

Outside. Trusty 3.3.


Inside. Nice mix of poplar, black locust and maple.

 

[Acornhill]

Oh boy long way from home today

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[Chris J.]

...

Inside. Nice mix of poplar, black locust and maple.

...

Is black locust the wood that throws off burning bits, like osage orange?

I'm asking this ignorant question because a fireplace in Houston in more cosmetic than functional, nice to look at but pretty much unnecessary.

 

[OhioGregg]

Oh boy long way from home today

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I will look for you on tv today! Are ya wearin a green poulan shirt? Lol

Gregg

 

[Acornhill]

Yes

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[ChipsFlyin]

Is black locust the wood that throws off burning bits, like osage orange?

I'm asking this ignorant question because a fireplace in Houston in more cosmetic than functional, nice to look at but pretty much unnecessary.

Locust can do quit a bit of popping and snapping. If you find a piece full of black six legged friends there is more. It can attract carpenter ants just under the bark.
We keep the screen pulled most of the time. The stone in front of the fire is at least 18 inches deep. In combination of the 2 we don't have any problems.

I know what you mean about cosmetic. Even though the fireplace has a built in blower with outlets on both sides and the front it is still not efficient. Loaded and left alone it will only last 2-3 hours if that. There's been talk about upgrading but it is just not the same as an open fire and all the stone. With a furnace for use through the wee hours of the morning we decided to maintain the classic look.

 

[Modifiedmark]

From what I hear, they are pretty much a boat anchor. Poulan should have boosted the 8500 up another 10 cc or so.

Wouldn't that have been nice.

I should have brought that saw to the GTG for you to run and make up your own mind!

You don't hear me bragging on them though do you?

My main gripe on them is the weight and the way the Germans put them together.

I think if the 8500 would have been kept around to be made into a larger model, I think the crankcase would have had to be enlarged and the stroke made a bit longer which would have gave it a weight increase also, though it wouldn't have had to be a major increase.

My 8500 will out cut that 6000 in wood that size in the picture, but then again it will out cut my Husky 2100 in that size wood also. Ask Brad, they will out cut a P60 as well...

 

[Modifiedmark]

Yes

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You should warn someone before you go posting that.

 

[ChipsFlyin]

I should have brought that saw to the GTG for you to run and make up your own mind!

You don't hear me bragging on them though do you?

My main gripe on them is the weight and the way the Germans put them together.

I think if the 8500 would have been kept around to be made into a larger model, I think the crankcase would have had to be enlarged and the stroke made a bit longer which would have gave it a weight increase also, though it wouldn't have had to be a major increase.

My 8500 will out cut that 6000 in wood that size in the picture, but then again it will out cut my Husky 2100 in that size wood also. Ask Brad, they will out cut a P60 as well...

How's the 8500 compare to a 288xp? I'm not saying anything good or bad about either saw. Just curious.

 

[fossil]

I should have brought that saw to the GTG for you to run and make up your own mind!

You don't hear me bragging on them though do you?

My main gripe on them is the weight and the way the Germans put them together.

I think if the 8500 would have been kept around to be made into a larger model, I think the crankcase would have had to be enlarged and the stroke made a bit longer which would have gave it a weight increase also, though it wouldn't have had to be a major increase.

My 8500 will out cut that 6000 in wood that size in the picture, but then again it will out cut my Husky 2100 in that size wood also. Ask Brad, they will out cut a P60 as well...

My 5200 is the most WOW saw I have. Not much that would keep up with it when it was introduced I'll bet. It would eat any of the Homelites or Pioneers in that displacement class easily. No contest.
I will say I really like your 2100.

 

[Modifiedmark]

How's the 8500 compare to a 288xp? I'm not saying anything good or bad about either saw. Just curious.

I can't answer that, never had a 288 in my hands.

My guess would be the newer, bit larger displacement would handle it in smaller wood. You notice I was comparing them in say 30" wood and in that I think the 5200 would put on a good showing.

 

[Modifiedmark]

My 5200 is the most WOW saw I have. Not much that would keep up with it when it was introduced I'll bet. It would eat any of the Homelites or Pioneers in that displacement class easily. No contest.
I will say I really like your 2100.

Yeah I like the 2100 too! In larger wood the extra 15cc would start to show with it.

If there was another 85cc saw out at the time that would hang with a 5200, I don't know what it would have been.

I had just got that 2100 about the time I finished building my 8500 and had a good day going with some friends over that day to try them out. Chris was there, Super 3 and Mopar Mike and when we were out back running those saws it was Super 3 who noticed and said I think that Poulan is out cutting that Husqvarna.

We started paying attention and he was right.

 

[Hoggwood]

I finally gave up on one of the most frustrating series of saws ever created I reckon. Mini Mac. A handful off well used ones came my way and I've been fighting with them on and off for 6 months or so. Pulled the plug on them tonight. The yellow nightmare they are.

I went and pulled this 34oo off the shelf, fired it up and let it idle after I bagged and tossed the Macs.

Catharsis...

 

[ChipsFlyin]

I can't answer that, never had a 288 in my hands.

My guess would be the newer, bit larger displacement would handle it in smaller wood. You notice I was comparing them in say 30" wood and in that I think the 5200 would put on a good showing.

Thanks. 30" wood - Old school American torque monster

vs a few more RPM. I do not know if I would want to run them side by side.

 

[Modifiedmark]

Ever struggle trying to replace the intake gasket on a 3400 series saw while the jug is still on? End up pulling the jug to get it done?

I was replacing one the other day for a guy and of course I had to make a gasket for it when it hit me, no need to cut the outside of the gasket perfect and if I left the bottom part go all the way down to the case, it would not move around when slipping the intake back in place.

A 1/4 drive long extension with a 5/16" swivel socket makes it easy to get to the intake bolts..

Besides I didn't want to pull the jug, yeah its not that hard and would only take a couple minutes, but then I would have to clean it all up first then might end up having to make a base gasket too.

I should have taken a picture with the gasket in place before I put the intake on but this picture should give the idea...

 

[Modifiedmark]

One other thing as well, there seems to be some difference of opinions as to the correct fuel line size on these.

The correct fuel line is 3/16" OD, but sometimes that don't fit tight because the holes in the plastic tank get stretched out then I use a 117x211 size line. When that don't fit I use a rubber grommet to fix the hole back to original size.

The grommets are less then a buck for two at lowes..

 

[s sidewall]

Good post on the grommet, cheaper than a tank.

Steve

 

[redunshee]

One other thing as well, there seems to be some difference of opinions as to the correct fuel line size on these.

The correct fuel line is 3/16" OD, but sometimes that don't fit tight because the holes in the plastic tank get stretched out then I use a 117x211 size line. When that don't fit I use a rubber grommet to fix the hole back to original size.

The grommets are less then a buck for two at lowes..

View attachment 493652 View attachment 493653

Once again, invaluable info. I'll have to try the intake manifold approach. Have always removed the cylinder.

 

[fossil]

Good stuff Mark. Those manifold gaskets can be a pain

 

[Chris J.]

I came across the below-linked YouTube video while doing some research, and thought that some of y'all might get a laugh out of it.

WARNING-- NSFW

WARNING--NSFW

WARNING--NSFW

The video contains some strong cuss words, and anti-Poulan comments. You have been warned.