Nik's Poulan Thread

[Modifiedmark]

Gregg,
That tree is some kind of low country euc, not indigenous to this area. Planted in wood rows and as specimen trees for their picturesque, white bark. They have a variety of common names but they are essentially a nuisance as they have a propensity to falling over around here. The timber is OK, burns well and like all eucs, is easy to cut when green but gets pretty hard when dry.
I must think like you as I nearly always grab an old saw these days - it just seems right. I have a another 4900 and 3400 coming next week - probably basket cases but I can't resist. My other problem is I buy a parts saw and then have to resurrect it. Then I have to buy another saw to have some parts on hand and get it going. I never have any parts but I have lots of saws!
I love that 203 - it is a fine looking saw. Never seen one down here and I wonder if they were ever imported. We have millions of old Macs and Homelites but not many Poulans. Lucky for me that they are not collectable here.

Al.

Seems your getting a really nice bunch of Poulan and Partner classics! I like em all, thanks for shareing.

We will see if the 4900 I got coming this week is any good or not. I would like to have a good 77cc example in the line up though.

Basically the same thing.

Yes they are, and are a couple years older. The main difference seems to be the ND ignition on them along with the Poulan name cast into the cover. Fuel cap and little bits are different, like the lack of a toggle ign switch.

 

[Modifiedmark]

If you guys want to see a good running 4200, here is a thread on the projects Chris and I worked on today..

http://www.arboristsite.com/chainsaw/181445.htm

 

[Eccentric]

There are 3 different clutch covers for the 25 series saws (not micros)
1. The standard cover off the S25DA/25D saws
2. Power Sharp cover mostly found on Craftsman 2.1/2.3 saws
3. The S25CVA cover which uses a different front handle mount that does not interfere with the clutch cover. Instead of casting a different cover without the notch for the handle (like the traditional 25s) they stamped a piece of metal and riveted it over the notch. This is your type of cover. It

Thanks for the info Joe. Of course, now I've gotta go back out to the shop and look at my CVA clutch cover. Never paid much attention to it. BTW-Sears did sell a S25 CVA with PS. They called it a 2.3PS/VL. Wonder if it had a different cover than the non-CVA PS saws. That'd be a fourth cover then right? I'll be back with the Sears model number for that saw in a minute. Wrote it down in my saw notebook..........and that's in the shop now too....


Edit:

Just went out and checked. The CVA does indeed have that plate riveted on the top of the CC. The Sears # for the 2.3PS/VL is 358.350960. Gonna go to their site and look up that saw and a non-CVA 2.3PS to see if the CC is the same part #. BRB...again..........


2nd Edit:

The 358.350950 Craftsman 2.3PS (S25DA-PS) clutch cover has sears part number 11186. The 358.350960 Craftsman 2.3PS/VL (S25PS-CVA) clutch cover has Sears part number 11252. So......................the CVA PowerSharp 25-series saws do indeed have a different clutch cover than the non-CVA PowerSharp 25-series saws....at least when we're talking Craftsman versions. Unfortunately, I don't have a model # for a non-PS Craftsman S25-CVA. Don't know if they ever sold that saw. The 358.350940 Craftsman 2.1A (25DA) clutch cover has Sears part number 11198. Guess that's four clutch cover types in total (including the non-PS CVA cover that I don't have a Sears part number for).

 

[joe25DA]

Thanks for the info Joe. Of course, now I've gotta go back out to the shop and look at my CVA clutch cover. Never paid much attention to it. BTW-Sears did sell a S25 CVA with PS. They called it a 2.3PS/VL. Wonder if it had a different cover than the non-CVA PS saws. That'd be a fourth cover then right? I'll be back with the Sears model number for that saw in a minute. Wrote it down in my saw notebook..........and that's in the shop now too....

Yup that would be 4. Good catch Aaron

 

[Eccentric]

Yup that would be 4. Good catch Aaron

Thanks Joe. Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn every now and then...

 

[zogger]

classifieds

I'm kinda looking for another medium sized chainsaw and another large saw in green.

Josh has a 3400 in the classifieds right now

http://www.arboristsite.com/classifieds.php?do=viewitem&itemid=1160

 

[Nardoo]

If you guys want to see a good running 4200, here is a thread on the projects Chris and I worked on today..

http://www.arboristsite.com/chainsaw/181445.htm

Great videos Mark - I just have to get a 4200. I have been chasing one for years and all I turn up are 4900's (and the one 8500). Got another 4900 coming tomorrow but prolly a parts saw. I just need a dawg and an oil filler cap for the 8500 but it is easier to find a whole saw than parts!
I love that Dolmar too - they sound great. Makes me wish I didn't pass on the 166 I alerted Chris to. I have a 120S in Mac colours which has some puff.

I did not find the 85cc Poulan much different to the 4900. Compression on the 8500 is down to 150 lbs which I thought was OK but the 4900 is running near 180 lbs. Maybe a set of rings is in order.
It sounds like you guys had a fine day working on those saws. When I have someone come over to help with a saw we talk so much that we never get anything done.

It is just after lunch now and after spending the morning hunting with my son I have the whole afternoon to myself. Think it is time to make one PM 340 out of two.

Al.

 

[OhioGregg]

Great videos Mark - I just have to get a 4200. I have been chasing one for years and all I turn up are 4900's (and the one 8500). Got another 4900 coming tomorrow but prolly a parts saw. I just need a dawg and an oil filler cap for the 8500 but it is easier to find a whole saw than parts!
I love that Dolmar too - they sound great. Makes me wish I didn't pass on the 166 I alerted Chris to. I have a 120S in Mac colours which has some puff.

I did not find the 85cc Poulan much different to the 4900. Compression on the 8500 is down to 150 lbs which I thought was OK but the 4900 is running near 180 lbs. Maybe a set of rings is in order.
It sounds like you guys had a fine day working on those saws. When I have someone come over to help with a saw we talk so much that we never get anything done.

It is just after lunch now and after spending the morning hunting with my son I have the whole afternoon to myself. Think it is time to make one PM 340 out of two.

Al.

A year or so ago, I got to run 67Mustang's 7700 Poulan. (77cc) next to a 5200(85cc), I honestly couldn't tell much difference power wise between em. But, the 7700 I thought was much smoother or something, at least in the wood we were cutting. Of course the 7700 is a little newer design too. I suppose the differences would only show up if cutting very big wood, with long bars. I know thats where a 5200 shines!


Gregg,

 

[little possum]

67mustangs 7700 is awesome Gregg! Seems like it hit the Rs quicker than our 5200. We thought the same thing about it being smoother

 

[OhioGregg]

What is the 203 as compared to the 306?

Like others have said. Basically the same, just minor differences. This one happens to have a compression start feature, but I think some 306's did also. 203 has an older style fuel cap, ign., etc. also. This one had a rim style sprocket on it. I don't know if it was an OEM thing or not. It was wore out. So I replaced it with one I had for a 385xp, that fit perfect.

The lack of a on/off toggle switch is quite rare on an older Poulan. Every Poulan saw I have, has one. The black button on the handle serves all the functions. Forward is on, back is off. If you push it down, it activates the compression release, then push forward to engage the throttle lock.

The other thing I noticed was the dipped on plastic coating on the front handle. But, my early 306 also has the same thing. Later ones seemed to use a rubber type slip-on cover. Something I have noticed, and ModifiedMark probably knows more about this, than me. The early yellowish/green saws all have Baird Poulan Co. on the label. All The lime/green saws that I have seen anyway, have Baird/Poulan Div. of Emerson Elec. co. Don't know if thats when they changed the colors or not, when that take over took place. Just as a side note. All my yellow/black Poulan Pro saws, have Poulan/Weedeater div. of White Consolidated Inc.

There is tons of crap I don't know about my beloved Poulans, that I wish I did. LOL:msp_biggrin: Someone should write a book!!! Mark, that would be a good project for you, after you retire! Only thing, by the time it comes out, I'll be to old to read, or dead.:msp_scared:

This long a$$ed rambling post is a result of having to much time on this rainy day (again). Watching traffic trying to wade through the flood waters down at the road and driveway. This fall is starting to look like spring did around here. Never ending rain.:msp_mad:


Gregg,

 

[FATGUY]

Like others have said. Basically the same, just minor differences. This one happens to have a compression start feature, but I think some 306's did also. 203 has an older style fuel cap, ign., etc. also. This one had a rim style sprocket on it. I don't know if it was an OEM thing or not. It was wore out. So I replaced it with one I had for a 385xp, that fit perfect.

The lack of a on/off toggle switch is quite rare on an older Poulan. Every Poulan saw I have, has one. The black button on the handle serves all the functions. Forward is on, back is off. If you push it down, it activates the compression release, then push forward to engage the throttle lock.

The other thing I noticed was the dipped on plastic coating on the front handle. But, my early 306 also has the same thing. Later ones seemed to use a rubber type slip-on cover. Something I have noticed, and ModifiedMark probably knows more about this, than me. The early yellowish/green saws all have Baird Poulan Co. on the label. All The lime/green saws that I have seen anyway, have Baird/Poulan Div. of Emerson Elec. co. Don't know if thats when they changed the colors or not, when that take over took place. Just as a side note. All my yellow/black Poulan Pro saws, have Poulan/Weedeater div. of White Consolidated Inc.

There is tons of crap I don't know about my beloved Poulans, that I wish I did. LOL:msp_biggrin: Someone should write a book!!! Mark, that would be a good project for you, after you retire! Only thing, by the time it comes out, I'll be to old to read, or dead.:msp_scared:

This long a$$ed rambling post is a result of having to much time on this rainy day (again). Watching traffic trying to wade through the flood waters down at the road and driveway. This fall is starting to look like spring did around here. Never ending rain.:msp_mad:
Gregg,

you know Gregg, I was having that same thought/concern this morning as I was walking out the door.....

 

[StinkyBunny]

This long a$$ed rambling post is a result of having to much time on this rainy day (again). Watching traffic trying to wade through the flood waters down at the road and driveway. This fall is starting to look like spring did around here. Never ending rain.:msp_mad:


Gregg,

Same here. it's been trying to rain here or has been for the last week. Damn it man, doesn't mother nature know I have wood to get in before she unleashes her fury upon us this winter!!! I'm just now finishing up the people who had trees go down from the hurricane and tropical storms. Now I have to move to the farm and clean up there. Needless to say I'll not be needing wood for quite some time, lol.

 

[edisto]

Rain forced me off the scooter and into the truck, so I finally got the 71A home from work. While I was burning gas (and leaking oil) I picked up an old door to make a bench out of too...that's what the saw is sitting on.

Here's the pics...who knew blaze orange went so well with lime green?

 

[Modifiedmark]

Rain forced me off the scooter and into the truck, so I finally got the 71A home from work. While I was burning gas (and leaking oil) I picked up an old door to make a bench out of too...that's what the saw is sitting on.

Here's the pics...who knew blaze orange went so well with lime green?

Well beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I could live without the orange.

Wait though, did someone neuter that thing with a Muffler?

 

[jhopf]

I'm working on a poulan 3700 and I am having an ignition problem. I pulled the spark plug and hooked it up to the plug wire and pulled the starter rope and I can't get a spark from the plug. So i pulled off the module (the black box next to the starter wheel) to clean it. Should the magnets on the flywheel touch the module when I put it back on? I think I read in here that is should be .012 mm away so I will check that. Would I have to pull the fly wheel to remove the gas tank in order to follow the wire from the kill switch to the module? I think it is shorting out somewhere but I'm not sure what to do next.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

I'm working on a poulan 3700 and I am having an ignition problem. I pulled the spark plug and hooked it up to the plug wire and pulled the starter rope and I can't get a spark from the plug. So i pulled off the module (the black box next to the starter wheel) to clean it. Should the magnets on the flywheel touch the module when I put it back on? I think I read in here that is should be .012 mm away so I will check that. Would I have to pull the fly wheel to remove the gas tank in order to follow the wire from the kill switch to the module? I think it is shorting out somewhere but I'm not sure what to do next.

Do you have a continuity meter? If you do just check it at the end of the wire to ground with the wire pulled off the module. It should have continuity to ground with the switch turned off and not have it with the switch turned on. Did you ground the spark plug to the engine when you pulled the rope? Yes, you have to have a gap between the flywheel and the module, usually around .010.

 

[edisto]

Well beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I could live without the orange.

Wait though, did someone neuter that thing with a Muffler?

I was told it was the EPA upgrade...

 

[Nardoo]

Edisto that 71A is a beautiful saw. I love that colour scheme and I wish I could find one like that here. We have a whole different genre of saws in Oz.
Gregg, my 4900 (with Mark's crank in it) is a blinder of a saw. Sometimes a saw is just right without doing anything. I am sure I will get the 8500 going fine too but it might need a little work.

I drove for six hours today to pick up another 4900 parts saw (and a real old Partner) and it turns out to be 4200 - I have been wanting a 4200 for 30 years! I ran one in 1982 and loved it but just did not have the money for it then so I bought a 3400 which started a love of Poulan saws that I still have.

This 4200 is nearly complete so I will not be using it for parts. All that is missing is the clutch and two bar plates. The chain brake does not operate but that is OK because Poulan themselves say they are a not necessary! I agree.

It is quite rough cosmetically but will clean up all right. I pulled the muff and the bore and piston are pristine. Compression is 155 lbs and it has a big fat spark. I resisted trying to start her up but I am confident it will be a good goer. And I like the colour of the hood even if it is a bit scabby.

Al.

 

[joe25DA]

Edisto that 71A is a beautiful saw. I love that colour scheme and I wish I could find one like that here. We have a whole different genre of saws in Oz.
Gregg, my 4900 (with Mark's crank in it) is a blinder of a saw. Sometimes a saw is just right without doing anything. I am sure I will get the 8500 going fine too but it might need a little work.

I drove for six hours today to pick up another 4900 parts saw (and a real old Partner) and it turns out to be 4200 - I have been wanting a 4200 for 30 years! I ran one in 1982 and loved it but just did not have the money for it then so I bought a 3400 which started a love of Poulan saws that I still have.

This 4200 is nearly complete so I will not be using it for parts. All that is missing is the clutch and two bar plates. The chain brake does not operate but that is OK because Poulan themselves say they are a not necessary! I agree.

It is quite rough cosmetically but will clean up all right. I pulled the muff and the bore and piston are pristine. Compression is 155 lbs and it has a big fat spark. I resisted trying to start her up but I am confident it will be a good goer. And I like the colour of the hood even if it is a bit scabby.

Al.

Nice score nardoo! That chain brake looks similar to the one on my Micro actually.

 

[OhioGregg]

Thats a first for me Al. I have never seen a Poulan in that series with a brake before. Learn something new, dern near every day. Between that and Edisto's 71 with a muffler, I learned TWO things today!


Gregg,