Nik's Poulan Thread

[dave76]

Speaking of piston and cylinders, I tore my 361 down and there is some serious carnage in there, the saw was basically seized, and I had to pry the jug off the piston, the rings are broke in three places, the piston is scrored, toasted and gouged, the cylinder has about at least a 1/16" inch gouge from the top of one of the transfers to almost the top of the cylinder, the rest is scored badly. So I need a P&C or I'm gonna just junk it. Mabe paint it up and put it back together for show..............:msp_wink:

 

[Modifiedmark]

Speaking of piston and cylinders, I tore my 361 down and there is some serious carnage in there, the saw was basically seized, and I had to pry the jug off the piston, the rings are broke in three places, the piston is scrored, toasted and gouged, the cylinder has about at least a 1/16" inch gouge from the top of one of the transfers to almost the top of the cylinder, the rest is scored badly. So I need a P&C or I'm gonna just junk it. Mabe paint it up and put it back together for show..............:msp_wink:

Dave, thats too bad, but 361's come along from time to time and don't bring a whole lot. Probably better to just find another with a good P/C and use yours for parts.

Just so you know though, if you do happen to find a jug, the 306 used the same piston and rings.

 

[StinkyBunny]

Here is one that has been mentioned before.

Lisle Corporation

I will warn y'all about Lisle tools, DO NOT buy their Torx bits. They suck!! I needed a T55 and got 2 of them from SEARS and snapped both of them off doing the rear brakes on my truck.

Think I'll still pass on the modern Poulans. The WoodShark I owned back around 2001 was more than enough to convince me to stay far away of today's Poulans. Wouldn't stay running for nothing. Got the Carb adjusted several times to no avail. As soon as the WoodShark returned to idle it died. Never met a Chainsaw that required to lock the throttle to start it either. Now they're even worse because somebody with the IQ of a Rock decided to fix something that wasn't broken. I'm talking about that Craptastic Tool-Less Chain Adjustment System. I like Poulans, just NOT the modern models.

My Farmhand 2900 has been a damn good saw. I got it in 1998 from HD and it's never had a down day and I've shown it no mercy when I'm cutting. I run a 20" bar on it and have never had an issue with that size bar.

 

[WillBrayJr]

My Farmhand 2900 has been a damn good saw. I got it in 1998 from HD and it's never had a down day and I've shown it no mercy when I'm cutting. I run a 20" bar on it and have never had an issue with that size bar.

If they work for you then great but I'm still stay with their older models. Besides I was never really too fond of Chainsaws with plastic Cases.

 

[8433jeff]

the problem is the cylinder I was given has cross hatch scratches, evidence of somebody trying to clean it up. The guy I got it from recieved it in that condition. I suppose I could just put it together and see what happens, but from what I have read the likelyhood of a good outcome is pretty slim. My thoughts of a very dilute acid treatment to re-expose a couple microns of silica could improve the chances somewhat. If the cylinder in its present condition would be considered usable by someone of experience, I will use it as is. If it is considered junk, I would have nothing to loose by trying to replicate the origional manufacturing process. I can't ruin what is already ruined.

To quote someone often quoted this week of the year when confronted by people intent on doing the wrong thing-"I wash my hands of this".

 

[dave76]

After reading through all of Poulans new saw IPLs, they make basically two saws, the 46cc and the 42cc. All saws listed below 42cc are actually 42cc, as all share the same P&C, everything from the 3314 up to the 4218. Only difference is some have AV and some don't.
So you can pick up a 3314 from Lowes for $109 here right now. They were on sale for $79, Not bad for a 42cc saw........:biggrinbounce2:

 

[dave76]

I am not intent on doing anything, just asking if anyone has tried it. It seems not.

If the cylinder is O.K. in its present "lightly sanded" condition I will leave it alone, I don't want to wreck it. Since I have no experience with these things I am asking opinions of those who do.

If it is already wrecked, a little experimentation can't hurt. The worse thing that happens is I wreck $5 worth of new piston rings.

I have no intention on selling this saw, if I did I would spend the $50 and get a new cylinder for it. :msp_mellow:

Steve in the past I have gone a little pyscho with trying to find new cylinders and pistons and even trying to be too perfect, but then I have to realize as someone said before, I'm not building a race engine, am only concerned with getting decent compression. I've run pistons that I've filed the grooves flat, sanded cylinders with emery cloth, just flipped the rings and all the machines actually ran fine.

 

[WillBrayJr]

After reading through all of Poulans new saw IPLs, they make basically two saws, the 46cc and the 42cc. All saws listed below 42cc are actually 42cc, as all share the same P&C, everything from the 3314 up to the 4218. Only difference is some have AV and some don't.
So you can pick up a 3314 from Lowes for $109 here right now. They were on sale for $79, Not bad for a 42cc saw........:biggrinbounce2:

IF I was to get the little Green Thing I'd just get it at Wal-Mart for $98. Something like that you don't wanna spend any more money than necessary:msp_wink:

 

[67L36Driver]

After reading through all of Poulans new saw IPLs, they make basically two saws, the 46cc and the 42cc. All saws listed below 42cc are actually 42cc, as all share the same P&C, everything from the 3314 up to the 4218. Only difference is some have AV and some don't.
So you can pick up a 3314 from Lowes for $109 here right now. They were on sale for $79, Not bad for a 42cc saw........:biggrinbounce2:

I only had six apart and that's the impression I got. I measured bores on 2050, 2150's and two Craftsman (40 & 42cc labeled) and they were all the same. I had no accurate way to measure stroke but the cranks looked the same.

 

[OhioGregg]

This is crazy I just went out to the barn and looked at my 3314. You are correct. It says 33cc on the recoil and clutch cover, but it says 42cc on the I.D.tag! It runs real good for a 33cc saw!
I paid $59 for it on clearance at Sears. A little muf mod is in its future.

Is it just me? or is it the camera angle? Looks like your 372xp has a 14" bar on it too! :msp_biggrin:

Gregg,

 

[dave76]

This is crazy I just went out to the barn and looked at my 3314. You are correct. It says 33cc on the recoil and clutch cover, but it says 42cc on the I.D.tag! It runs real good for a 33cc saw!
I paid $59 for it on clearance at Sears. A little muf mod is in its future.

I was just checking a reviews site on the 3314 model, and the concensus is the saw starts like crap idles like crap, stall all the time, recoil stop working after a while, most said the chain dulled quite quickly. Everyone agreed though that the $100 price was OK but not worth it to deal with all the crap. Most said they would never buy Poulan again.

Funny thing is, if most of these people were informed that yes $109 dollars is great, but after you buy it, it really needs to go to a saw shop to be properly set up which will cost a few extra bucks. Then it won't be so hard to start and idle, and most people wouldn't wear the recoil starter out in two months, plus most of the saws wouldn't score the P&C. So yes Homeowners do give the modern Poulan a bad rap. Most people I talk to would never even think to take their brand new product to a shop to be tuned properly, most say it's brand new why does it need to be tuned??....... I tell most of friends and family, when you buy a new gas power tool, give it to me before you use it so I can set it up right.

 

[tbone75]

I was just checking a reviews site on the 3314 model, and the concensus is the saw starts like crap idles like crap, stall all the time, recoil stop working after a while, most said the chain dulled quite quickly. Everyone agreed though that the $100 price was OK but not worth it to deal with all the crap. Most said they would never buy Poulan again.

Funny thing is, if most of these people were informed that yes $109 dollars is great, but after you buy it, it really needs to go to a saw shop to be properly set up which will cost a few extra bucks. Then it won't be so hard to start and idle, and most people wouldn't wear the recoil starter out in two months, plus most of the saws wouldn't score the P&C. So yes Homeowners do give the modern Poulan a bad rap. Most people I talk to would never even think to take their brand new product to a shop to be tuned properly, most say it's brand new why does it need to be tuned??....... I tell most of friends and family, when you buy a new gas power tool, give it to me before you use it so I can set it up right.

I am with you that.I tell all my family and friends to bring it to me before you ever start it LOL I have 5 of the new Poulan 3314-3516-4218 tore down.They are all the same.42CC Not one thing inside is different?Must be a cheaper way to make them?

 

[Modifiedmark]

4000 apart.

What a mess. Never seen a crankcase so full of crap.

 

[joe25DA]

4000 apart.

What a mess. Never seen a crankcase so full of crap.

Looks like an XL12 I did a year ago. Looks like water got in there and calcified the crank case

 

[Modifiedmark]

Looks like an XL12 I did a year ago. Looks like water got in there and calcified the crank case

Yep, thats my guess as well.

There is a little pitting in the crankcase, but I think it will be ok. If not I have a 3700 crankcase I can use but I don't think I will need it.

I'll get it cleaned up more tomorrow.

 

[rms61moparman]

4000 apart.

What a mess. Never seen a crankcase so full of crap.

You might want to think about putting bearings and seals in that one!!!:msp_wink:


Mike

 

[Modifiedmark]

You think?

Already got them :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[8433jeff]

If I had a extra case, I think thats the route I would go. But you're the boss where you're at, Mark, and do good work.
What do I know anyways?
Done for the GTG?

 

[a. palmer jr.]

3500

Here's one I've been tinkering with for the last few days..finally got it to go but still having a little trouble with the clutch. I think one of the shoes broke but it's still hanging on, till I find another clutch for it. The saw sounds pretty good for an oldie.

I just found a clutch for it..not as rare as I thought!

 

[67L36Driver]

Looks like an XL12 I did a year ago. Looks like water got in there and calcified the crank case

Katrina victim?......................Yuck!