Nik's Poulan Thread

[Bo Lowe]

Did anyone here get this? It looks more than a 3400 to me. Did any 3400 ever come with a handguard like that or black handle?
KevinUSED POULAN CHAINSAW, MODEL 3400, W/BAR AND CHAIN - eBay (item 120698569543 end time Mar-20-11 14:35:52 PDT)

I've Got A 3400 Just Like The One Pictured. I Think it Was A Late Model 3400. Also Have A S25DA With Black Handle & Black Decals
Like This 3400.

 

[kev1n]

I just picked up a 3400 this week with a green handle and the hand guard mounted to the top handle, like Kev described.

Mine isn't firing, owner says it's the coil. Needs rings in it. Dude had a home brew air filter all up on it. Cylinder looks great. Has a Pro Lite bar on it :msp_wink:

Are these things worth slapping rings in and finding a coil for?

ronco, that's a nice looking saw. I'll say $65...:msp_biggrin:

I think it's worth repairing, as does everybody this thread I'm guessing. I would go through the whole ignition system, maybe the coil is good. Rings are cheap enough. Got any pics of the homebrew filter?

 

[longbar]

Yea, some do move in and out and that's fine. Its the radial movement we don't want.
Bob

Thanks Bob. I was alittle worried at first but when they all did it I kinda figured maybe they were suppossed to.

 

[OhioGregg]

I've Got A 3400 Just Like The One Pictured. I Think it Was A Late Model 3400. Also Have A S25DA With Black Handle & Black Decals
Like This 3400.

I agree. I think that was probably one of the last of the 3400's.
From what I can tell. That would have been about the time they changed to the new style saws, like the 3450 & 3750, and when the Poulan Pro yellow saws started. With the 375 & 395 ending that line of saws.

To my knowledge, the 3400 was the first in that line, in 1978-79. With the 3700 soon being made with it. The 3700, wasn't made very long. With the 4000 replacing it. They made the 3400 for quite a few years, I guess thats why you see so many of them.

I think also, like I stated earlier, in a different post. I think they did just like car, truck, tractor manufactures did also. Every couple years, just make some minor changes, mostly cosmetic, until coming out with a new model.

Gregg,

 

[tbone75]

Poulan/Craftsman

What do you guys think of the 2.8-3.0-3.3 Craftsman/Poulans. I have one of each so far LOL.They seem to be built good.I did replace the cylinder and piston on the 2.8 with a bigger one off of some kind of poulan.3500-3600?Just wanted to see if it fit.Sounds good so far.Still need a b&c so I can try it out.

 

[Andyshine77]

Well boys, after an eternity I finally got off my lazy ass and got another 4000 together. By pics alone it doesn't look much different then most 4000's but there are subtle differnces and this one's a screamer. It's been ported, muffler modded and had the cylinder turned down. All of that isn't really what makes it special to me. What makes this special is how many people, in one way or another contributed to it. Andre helped me assemble it and rebuild I don't know how many carbs before we finally got one that was right. Brad ported it, Mark gave me the quadruple "M" muffler (Modified Mark Muffler Mod.) Appearance wise, Steve, Tim and my brother Marko were all involved in one way or another in getting me the chainbrake. Gregg was kind enought to supply the decals. One of the things that I really like is the bar. It's a Windsor Speed Tip that I stripped, polished (helps when your boss used to have a polishing shop in the basement of your machine shop) and sent out to be black oxided. So, thank you Andre, Brad, Gregg, Mark, Marko, Steve and Tim!
I'll get a video of it as soon as I sink it inot some wood. For now though Gentlemen, I present you with the Poulan Group Hot Rod CV4000


She looks even better in person, we need to get it in some wood asap.

 

[67L36Driver]

What rattle can green paint for my 361.

While I have it down waiting for parts I'm tempted to paint the darn thing. Maybe remove the jug and eliminate the base gasket.

It worked for my Pioneer but John Deere yellow was a poor match.
View attachment 177069

 

[rms61moparman]

I just picked up a 3400 this week with a green handle and the hand guard mounted to the top handle, like Kev described.

Mine isn't firing, owner says it's the coil. Needs rings in it. Dude had a home brew air filter all up on it. Cylinder looks great. Has a Pro Lite bar on it :msp_wink:

Are these things worth slapping rings in and finding a coil for?

NOPE!!!


They are junk from the get go.
Just send it to me and I'll dispose of it for you in a proper manner!!!LOL


It is only worth fixing if you want the greatest "ALL AROUND" 56cc saw ever made!

There are faster saws and there are lighter saws.
There may even have been a tougher saw or a cheaper saw.

BUT

For a smooth, light, fast, cheap, reliable saw that is built like a tank and soooo simple to work on, I'm not sure the 3400 can be matched even by the best saws of today!

And yes I may be prejudiced because it was the first saw I ever owned, bought on credit and paid off with my own labor, but I have always been a guy that wants the mostest for the leastest.
The 3400 still fits that niche very nicely.


Mike

 

[Eccentric]

Your apt to find different Poulan saws with black handles. The grey Craftsman versions had em, like the 3800. The yellow Poulan Pro versions of the 3700 & 4000 had them also. And, even some of the green Poulan 4000's had them also. There were different style decals on them also. I think they just changed things up every 3 years or so, to at least look like they were updated. Whether they were or not. Same saw, just different color & decal combos. Here is a couple black handle models, 375 & 4000.

Gregg,

Great looking 4000 Gregg! Finaly I see a green Poulan that I really like the looks of. Is that a late production 4000? I see the decals are black instead of blue. I like the way the black handle and the other black parts work with the green.

Wonderful...........................another 'must have' saw on my list. Not that I'd turn my nose up at a 'regular' all green 4000. Just when I thought I was "just about done" for a while. I believe RandyMac has a 3400 for me to pick up in June when I head up there. That will hold me for a spell. These saws are growing on me for sure..

 

[roncoinc]

4200 srocket/cliuch drum problem solved
was talking to a member this morning about replacement and i said scrounge around in spare parts and find one to fit from something else..
the sprocket on my 4200 was SO worn out the chain wouldnt spin
so i pulled the cover off,eyeballed it and started looking..
about the third one i came accross was off a 306.. calipers measured just a "rch" smaller but worth a try..
greased up the bearing,slid it on and screwed on the clutch.. drum rotated smoothly.. fired it up and at idle the chain didnt turn.. seems good to go for me even tho not listed as same one.

 

[OhioGregg]

Great looking 4000 Gregg! Finaly I see a green Poulan that I really like the looks of. Is that a late production 4000? I see the decals are black instead of blue. I like the way the black handle and the other black parts work with the green.

Wonderful...........................another 'must have' saw on my list. Not that I'd turn my nose up at a 'regular' all green 4000. Just when I thought I was "just about done" for a while. I believe RandyMac has a 3400 for me to pick up in June when I head up there. That will hold me for a spell. These saws are growing on me for sure..

I agree, I like the half black, half green combo myself. I'm assuming it was later in the 4000 history also. Unfortunately, I have never heard or seen any kind of way to tell actual years of manufacture, by serial number or other wise.

Gregg,

 

[Modifiedmark]

Did anyone here get this? It looks more than a 3400 to me. Did any 3400 ever come with a handguard like that or black handle?
KevinUSED POULAN CHAINSAW, MODEL 3400, W/BAR AND CHAIN - eBay (item 120698569543 end time Mar-20-11 14:35:52 PDT)

Like Bo and Greg said that color combo, decal style, and handguard means that it is a very late modle 3400.

I just picked up a 3400 this week with a green handle and the hand guard mounted to the top handle, like Kev described.

Mine isn't firing, owner says it's the coil. Needs rings in it. Dude had a home brew air filter all up on it. Cylinder looks great. Has a Pro Lite bar on it :msp_wink:

Are these things worth slapping rings in and finding a coil for?

ronco, that's a nice looking saw. I'll say $65...:msp_biggrin:

Don't know how much you want to spend but as of last night there was a nice used 3700 P/C on ebay. That would be a worthwhile upgrade to me.

What do you guys think of the 2.8-3.0-3.3 Craftsman/Poulans. I have one of each so far LOL.They seem to be built good.I did replace the cylinder and piston on the 2.8 with a bigger one off of some kind of poulan.3500-3600?Just wanted to see if it fit.Sounds good so far.Still need a b&c so I can try it out.

I really like that series alot. Some good improvements over the prior series.

4200 srocket/cliuch drum problem solved
was talking to a member this morning about replacement and i said scrounge around in spare parts and find one to fit from something else..
the sprocket on my 4200 was SO worn out the chain wouldnt spin
so i pulled the cover off,eyeballed it and started looking..
about the third one i came accross was off a 306.. calipers measured just a "rch" smaller but worth a try..
greased up the bearing,slid it on and screwed on the clutch.. drum rotated smoothly.. fired it up and at idle the chain didnt turn.. seems good to go for me even tho not listed as same one.

Ron that sprocket off a 306 is indeed the correct sprocket for the 4200 as well.

 

[barneyrb]

5200 tank

Mark,

Did you find a tank yet?

 

[Flintknapper]

When you get time, give it a look. The one on my restored saw is pitted up and leaking behind the front antivibe mount. No way of fixing it that I can see.

That means if and when I get a tank, I get to paint it :bang:

Yeah, I've got one Mark.

I'll get some pics posted in a bit. It would need paint (its a primered part).

Looks good, no stripped threads...just a little bit of varnish in the very bottom of the tank. It would clean up in about 30 minutes with some denatured alcohol and BB's.

----------------------------------------

This should be the correct one Mark. Take a look at it...and see what you think. Its missing the vent (screw in), but the rubber grommet for the choke is there and in good shape, trigger and lock work as they should.

 

[FATGUY]

I agree, I like the half black, half green combo myself. I'm assuming it was later in the 4000 history also. Unfortunately, I have never heard or seen any kind of way to tell actual years of manufacture, by serial number or other wise.

Gregg,

that's the best looking 4000 I've ever seen. I think I actually like that better than the orange and black ones.

 

[FATGUY]

bearing class

Hey Mark, what was the bearing class that's used on the crank on the 4200-8500 series saws? You told us at Mike's house but I don't remember.

 

[Andyshine77]

that's the best looking 4000 I've ever seen. I think I actually like that better than the orange and black ones.

Orange and black = :girl: :msp_tongue:

 

[FATGUY]

don't you have a waitress to be hitting on?

 

[Modifiedmark]

Mark,

Did you find a tank yet?

Yeah, I've got one Mark.

I'll get some pics posted in a bit. It would need paint (its a primered part).

Looks good, no stripped threads...just a little bit of varnish in the very bottom of the tank. It would clean up in about 30 minutes with some denatured alcohol and BB's.

----------------------------------------

This should be the correct one Mark. Take a look at it...and see what you think. Its missing the vent (screw in), but the rubber grommet for the choke is there and in good shape, trigger and lock work as they should.

Thanks guys but I think I got one coming.

If something don't work out, I'll let you guys know.

 

[Modifiedmark]

Hey Mark, what was the bearing class that's used on the crank on the 4200-8500 series saws? You told us at Mike's house but I don't remember.

6203