Nik's Poulan Thread

[rms61moparman]

Your air filter can't be much worse than some of these beauties that were on some saws I acquired.
You would think folks would realize a filter is on there to serve a purpose, but evidently not.

And your right! There isn't a much more menacing sight, than a 3400 with a banana nose bar.

Gregg,

Filters like those are exactly why I have to smile when SOME on this site start making a big deal about "filtration"!!!LOL
They were among the worst air filters ever to begin with and then they lost their flocking and were even worse.
But it is AMAZING how many of them ran like that for years and are still going!!!

Yeah those aluminum bores with plated pistons were just plain JUNK!!!LOL


Mike

 

[dave76]

Well I put all the kids together for group pic.

I just modded the 4000s muff with the 4200-8500 style exhaust pipe.... Sounds real nice. I couldn't wait to paint it had to hear it.

 

[OhioGregg]

Filters like those are exactly why I have to smile when SOME on this site start making a big deal about "filtration"!!!LOL
They were among the worst air filters ever to begin with and then they lost their flocking and were even worse.
But it is AMAZING how many of them ran like that for years and are still going!!!

Yeah those aluminum bores with plated pistons were just plain JUNK!!!LOL


Mike

LOL, Funny you mention the "junky plated pistons & aluminum. bores" Was gonna tell Zogger not to worry. The old plated pistons seem to hold up VERY well!!!


gREGG,

 

[joe25DA]

Joe, I think we got them bars about the same time, as I recall. I have another one like it, but black, with green Poulan on it. Both are 16 inchers. At the time I was hoping to find an 18" banana nose bar, as that was what was on my 3400 when I bought it new. All I have ever seen are 16's. Not that it makes much difference anyway. I just don't seem to use a 3400 much anymore. I guess thats either the good or bad thing about having so many saws to choose from. LOL


Gregg,

Yeah, I think your right. I have another 16" banana nose just like those. I actually havent cut with my 3400 since I test cut with it right after the re-build.

 

[OhioGregg]

Dave, If I didn't know better, I would say you been out in my shop takin pictures!!!


Gregg,

 

[dave76]

LOL, Funny you mention the "junky plated pistons & aluminum. bores" Was gonna tell Zogger not to worry. The old plated pistons seem to hold up VERY well!!!


gREGG,

Yeah look at all the Micros that are still around running 35 years later, and that was the best consumer saw back then. Probably 90% of those saws had chrome pistons, a few of the later 2300s and PPros had the chrome bore.

 

[dave76]

Dave, If I didn't know better, I would say you been out in my shop takin pictures!!!


Gregg,

Shhhhh, don't tell anybody that........Thats a secret.:yoyo:

 

[zogger]

wire screen and hepa 95 dust masks

First, thanks for all the nice replies guys! Really!

Hey, I have a box of the heavy duty dustmasks, N95s actually, anyone ever use one (or a regular lesser cheaper one) for a field expedient cover over the worn out but still there wire screen filter part, as discussed and pictured above? I am thinking a mask cut to fit and a hot glue gun or some gunk in a tube action to hold it in place. Or..too restrictive, plug up fast? They allegedly take down to some ridiculous small particle size. Or how about coffee filters?

I'm not cheap, I just like cobjobbing and field expedient stuff A saw mod is a saw mod... heck, I make all my small four stroke filters now, still working on a large piece of foam I got someplace, just cut a piece to fit the housing, massage a bit of oil into it, when nasty, replace.

How about it, what sort of home made filters have you done, and did they work?

 

[OhioGregg]

First, thanks for all the nice replies guys! Really!

Hey, I have a box of the heavy duty dustmasks, N95s actually, anyone ever use one (or a regular lesser cheaper one) for a field expedient cover over the worn out but still there wire screen filter part, as discussed and pictured above? I am thinking a mask cut to fit and a hot glue gun or some gunk in a tube action to hold it in place. Or..too restrictive, plug up fast? They allegedly take down to some ridiculous small particle size. Or how about coffee filters?

I'm not cheap, I just like cobjobbing and field expedient stuff A saw mod is a saw mod... heck, I make all my small four stroke filters now, still working on a large piece of foam I got someplace, just cut a piece to fit the housing, massage a bit of oil into it, when nasty, replace.

How about it, what sort of home made filters have you done, and did they work?

I'm certainly not above cobbing stuff to make do in a pinch. I made a filter for my 5200 when I first got it. The flocking was mostly gone on it. They are a two piece filter that screws together though. I cut some foam to fit the two halves, after trying to remove the remaining flocking. Seemed to work. But, have since found a NOS filter for it and replaced it.

They are a little harder to come by though. The 3400 filters are readily available. And cheap. So I think I would just buy a new one.
The filter for the 4000 is a nylon type and is much better, but will not fit under the cover of the 3400. Not saying its impossable to make a better filter for a 3400, just hardly worth the effort, when the real thing is available.

Here is a pic of the 4000 style air cleaner. If you could make something like that, that would fit under the cover, you might have something.

Gregg,

 

[Carl Anderson]

Hi, I don't own a Poulan but my dad has two. One is a small one with 14" bar, I'll have to go look at it to get the model number. He has had it for about 35 years, my mom bought it for him new when I was about 4 or 5 years old. It wasn't running a few years ago due to sitting around in the case too long and my dad let some "mechanic" get it running again and he promptly froze it up. I don't think he was dumb enough to run it on straight gas, my theory is he ran it too lean. So my dad went out to Sears and bought a new Poulan Pro (260 I think) which he doesn't like all that much.

Anyway, I was poking around dad's basement the other day, picked up the little Poulan and I was able to pull it over easy. Somehow it freed up all by itself. I'd really like to get this running for him for old times sake. I remember him cutting in circles around big trees to get the 14" bar to take them down. He cut a ton of wood with that little thing and I know he'd love to have it back, especially now that he is older and the little saw is nice and light. The newer Poulan Pro is not half the saw as far as quality goes as that little green one, not to mention that he can't get the gas cap off, we all know that story, and he hates the stupid safety throttle so it would be cool to get the old one going again.

Any suggestions on next steps? Should I just try to fire it up and adjust the carb so it's not running too lean and see what happens or is a rebuild in order first?

Thanks!

 

[scottr]

Hi, I don't own a Poulan but my dad has two. One is a small one with 14" bar, I'll have to go look at it to get the model number. He has had it for about 35 years, my mom bought it for him new when I was about 4 or 5 years old. It wasn't running a few years ago due to sitting around in the case too long and my dad let some "mechanic" get it running again and he promptly froze it up. I don't think he was dumb enough to run it on straight gas, my theory is he ran it too lean. So my dad went out to Sears and bought a new Poulan Pro (260 I think) which he doesn't like all that much.

Anyway, I was poking around dad's basement the other day, picked up the little Poulan and I was able to pull it over easy. Somehow it freed up all by itself. I'd really like to get this running for him for old times sake. I remember him cutting in circles around big trees to get the 14" bar to take them down. He cut a ton of wood with that little thing and I know he'd love to have it back, especially now that he is older and the little saw is nice and light. The newer Poulan Pro is not half the saw as far as quality goes as that little green one, not to mention that he can't get the gas cap off, we all know that story, and he hates the stupid safety throttle so it would be cool to get the old one going again.

Any suggestions on next steps? Should I just try to fire it up and adjust the carb so it's not running too lean and see what happens or is a rebuild in order first?

Thanks!

You could take off the muffler to look at the piston, rings, and cylinder for scoring.

 

[Snyper438]

Hi, I don't own a Poulan but my dad has two. One is a small one with 14" bar, I'll have to go look at it to get the model number. He has had it for about 35 years, my mom bought it for him new when I was about 4 or 5 years old. It wasn't running a few years ago due to sitting around in the case too long and my dad let some "mechanic" get it running again and he promptly froze it up. I don't think he was dumb enough to run it on straight gas, my theory is he ran it too lean. So my dad went out to Sears and bought a new Poulan Pro (260 I think) which he doesn't like all that much.

Anyway, I was poking around dad's basement the other day, picked up the little Poulan and I was able to pull it over easy. Somehow it freed up all by itself. I'd really like to get this running for him for old times sake. I remember him cutting in circles around big trees to get the 14" bar to take them down. He cut a ton of wood with that little thing and I know he'd love to have it back, especially now that he is older and the little saw is nice and light. The newer Poulan Pro is not half the saw as far as quality goes as that little green one, not to mention that he can't get the gas cap off, we all know that story, and he hates the stupid safety throttle so it would be cool to get the old one going again.

Any suggestions on next steps? Should I just try to fire it up and adjust the carb so it's not running too lean and see what happens or is a rebuild in order first?

Thanks!

Definatly look at the piston, hopefully you'll be lucky and it'll be in good shape. As long as it is, i'd go with a carb kit, new fuel lines and filter and a good cleaning. That way it's done and ready for a few more years of work with regular maintenance. Good luck!

Ed

 

[zogger]

clean it nd rebuild it

Hi, I don't own a Poulan but my dad has two. One is a small one with 14" bar, I'll have to go look at it to get the model number. He has had it for about 35 years, my mom bought it for him new when I was about 4 or 5 years old. It wasn't running a few years ago due to sitting around in the case too long and my dad let some "mechanic" get it running again and he promptly froze it up. I don't think he was dumb enough to run it on straight gas, my theory is he ran it too lean. So my dad went out to Sears and bought a new Poulan Pro (260 I think) which he doesn't like all that much.

Anyway, I was poking around dad's basement the other day, picked up the little Poulan and I was able to pull it over easy. Somehow it freed up all by itself. I'd really like to get this running for him for old times sake. I remember him cutting in circles around big trees to get the 14" bar to take them down. He cut a ton of wood with that little thing and I know he'd love to have it back, especially now that he is older and the little saw is nice and light. The newer Poulan Pro is not half the saw as far as quality goes as that little green one, not to mention that he can't get the gas cap off, we all know that story, and he hates the stupid safety throttle so it would be cool to get the old one going again.

Any suggestions on next steps? Should I just try to fire it up and adjust the carb so it's not running too lean and see what happens or is a rebuild in order first?

Thanks!

Just tke your time and start taking it down, clean as much as possible from the beginning. Don't blow dirt into the exhaust port or carb pport side or down the impulse hole. At a minimum a thorough cleaning, new fuel lines and fuel filter, rebuild the carb with a kit,etc, perhaps new ring or rings. I use an air compressor carefully for the first overall cleaning. Find you the Illustrated Parts List or IPL for that particular saw, that will help you see how it goes together and comes apart and then you can look for parts you may need.

Just take your time. I'm still a rookie working on saws but it is the same for most any engine device, just go slow, keep track of parts, take pictures or make notes as you go, etc. If it ain't stuck, it'll run again with some work, probably better than new when you get done. I mean have you seen some of the before and after pics on this site with ancient rusted together junk some of the guys have restored? And a lot of times it ain't much, just cleaning and the new fuel lines seems to work on tons of "non running" saws.

But new gaskets and seals all around, etc..peace of mind.

Perhaps there is a more experienced member near your neck of the woods might want to help you one afternoon? If you have done the first good cleaning and acquired what parts you might need in advance..perhaps you could do that.

 

[OhioGregg]

Carl, From the sound of it, your dads saw must be a S25 or a Micro version. Others have given great advice! First ck the piston/cylinder condition. If all looks good there, then replace all fuel lines & filter. And rebuild the carb. I see your in Conn. To bad your not a little closer to Joe25DA. in Mass. He is pretty much The expert on refurbing those old 25's.

Probably looks like one of these, or a Micro version of them.

Gregg,

 

[scottr]

First, thanks for all the nice replies guys! Really!

Hey, I have a box of the heavy duty dustmasks, N95s actually, anyone ever use one (or a regular lesser cheaper one) for a field expedient cover over the worn out but still there wire screen filter part, as discussed and pictured above? I am thinking a mask cut to fit and a hot glue gun or some gunk in a tube action to hold it in place. Or..too restrictive, plug up fast? They allegedly take down to some ridiculous small particle size. Or how about coffee filters?

I'm not cheap, I just like cobjobbing and field expedient stuff A saw mod is a saw mod... heck, I make all my small four stroke filters now, still working on a large piece of foam I got someplace, just cut a piece to fit the housing, massage a bit of oil into it, when nasty, replace.

How about it, what sort of home made filters have you done, and did they work?

Hey Zogger, some guys use a nylon prefilter (panty hose) or other fine mesh nylon like in the member moddoo thread on prefilter.

 

[zogger]

Hmmm..that could get interesting...

Hey Zogger, some guys use a nylon prefilter (panty hose) or other fine mesh nylon like in the member moddoo thread on prefilter.

"hey, honey,c'mere" "Here, first put these on. oh yes, lovely, oh my....now hold still while I very carefully cut small squares off...ya that's right.."

I'm game!

 

[GoRving]

Which 306 muffler did you use? FYI they had the same tin mufflers as the 245's.

If your talking about replacing the 245 muffler with the cast aluminum muffler from a early 306, then you will be fine as well, even though the 245 never came with that one as far as I know.

Thanks! It is the cast one, and it runs great, so I guess it's ok.

 

[rms61moparman]

It wouldn't be the first time I slid an air filter into the toe of a nylon stocking, twist tied it off and cut off the rest!
Actually works very well!!!

Poor people got poor ways!


Mike

 

[brokenbudget]

heres my $15 special

hadn't ran in 10 or more years. threw a new fuel line, filter and carb kit into it. runs weely weely good:msp_thumbup:
the blue bar makes it faster:biggrin:
so does the homelite case

 

[rms61moparman]

heres my $15 special

hadn't ran in 10 or more years. threw a new fuel line, filter and carb kit into it. runs weely weely good:msp_thumbup:
the blue bar makes it faster:biggrin:
so does the homelite case

That is really close to stealing!!!LOL


Mike