Nik's Poulan Thread

[Modifiedmark]

Any idea why the gas and oil caps on my 655 are so tight that I have to remove and install them with a pair of pliers. I can't detect any signs of them being cross threaded and they appear to be correct but boy are they tight. Anybody got a spare gas cap they could spare. I bought another oil cap on eBay to try.

Not really sure about that. You might ask Arrowhead, I thought he told me something about this situation before.

I know the cap was that way on my Poulan 6000 when I got it and I spent some good coin on a NOS one for it. Set the old one on the shelf for a few months then found I needed a cap for my Dolmar 133 project and thought about the 6000 cap.

It had evidently shrunk from sitting and now works fine on both saws. Must have swelled up from the gas/ethanol and shrunk back when it dried out?

 

[a. palmer jr.]

The 306/245 muffler loosening problem is easily cured with the right sized bolts. There a #12 bolt but I have seen them where someone has stuck #10 bolts in them.

The threaded holes in the cyl are very deep and you need bolts to use all the available threads. This is especially true if your running a cast muffler on them as the base is much thicker.

I'll try finding some long #12 bolts and see how they do. This saw may have seen several owners and by the time I get them it's hard telling what's been done to them. I imagine this one has the same bolts that were for the tin muffler.

 

[Modifiedmark]

It is my belief that the tin muffler stays put on the saw a little better than the cast one unless you do some modifications.

Yes because like I said the cast muffler is alot thicker and it makes the bolts too short.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

Yes because like I said the cast muffler is alot thicker and it makes the bolts too short.

How long do you think I should get? I guess I can always buy some too long and cut them to fit.

 

[Modifiedmark]

How long do you think I should get? I guess I can always buy some too long and cut them to fit.

Thats the best way, that way you can use all of the threads in the hole. I also use lock washers on them.

 

[Eccentric]

Too bad to hear your saw is broken. Lucky for you you won't have to worry about it since you're giving it to me.

Sez the guy that has won a saw in each of the last two big fund raising raffles...

 

[67L36Driver]

Not really sure about that. You might ask Arrowhead, I thought he told me something about this situation before.

I know the cap was that way on my Poulan 6000 when I got it and I spent some good coin on a NOS one for it. Set the old one on the shelf for a few months then found I needed a cap for my Dolmar 133 project and thought about the 6000 cap.

It had evidently shrunk from sitting and now works fine on both saws. Must have swelled up from the gas/ethanol and shrunk back when it dried out?

Yup, the PP gray fuel caps expand when exposed to fuel. The black Pioneer lids are unaffected. Difference is in the plastic formula.

 

[blackoak]

thanks blackoak. gonna try to get it off tonight. when i start it it doesn't want to turn the chain; just in fits and starts. i know the sprocket teeth are way worn out. anyone know where i can get a sprocket?

I can probably find you a clutch drum and a rim sprocket. Let me know if you need it.

 

[jerrycmorrow]

I can probably find you a clutch drum and a rim sprocket. Let me know if you need it.

here's some pix of my clutch and drum/sprocket and muffler. definitely need the drum/sprocket and probly the clutch. not sure if clutch has a facing on it or not; mine doesn't.
also, the cast muffler pieces don't fit well together. they sorta rock. is there some sort of gasket material i could use to make them fit better? other than being somewhat cattywomp the muffler is in good shape although needs longer bolts and has no spark screen.

 

[Kostas]

I am using this:

View attachment 247815

 

[Showme]

Yup, the PP gray fuel caps expand when exposed to fuel. The black Pioneer lids are unaffected. Difference is in the plastic formula.

I kind of thought it might. E something like that. Thank you. I guess I'll keep my eyes open for black ones.

 

[wendell]

Sez the guy that has won a saw in each of the last two big fund raising raffles...

I was just trying to be helpful. Poor guy couldn't get it started and now can't get the gas cap off. He seemed like he was really frustrated so I told him I'd buy it from him. It just makes me sad to see someone struggle with a saw like that.

 

[Chris J.]

I was just trying to be helpful. Poor guy couldn't get it started and now can't get the gas cap off. He seemed like he was really frustrated so I told him I'd buy it from him. It just makes me sad to see someone struggle with a saw like that.

Wendell, your altruism is inspiring !

 

[hemiyota]

.400 pitch chain?

Anyone ever heard of it? Someone gave me a Lombard S-AL-42 (Not a Poulan but just about a 361:hmm3grin2orange. It had a rim style sprocket, and the only marking was 400-7. I'll be switching to 3/8. but was curious.......

 

[Chris J.]

I received a couple of tophandle Craftsman chainsaws, 358.355161 & 358.355160, this afternoon. I gave them a quick go-over, but it was too damned hot to worry about photos, so the feePay link will have to suffice for now:

2 craftsman chainsaws | eBay

The seller dropped them in a box just the way they're shown in the listing; he didn't remove the B&Cs, use any packing material, or drain them. The bottom of the box was soaked in oil & mix (I'm surprised that the USPS didn't flag them as hazardous), & one of the bars was sticking out through the box.

There is good news. I was expecting them to be totally fried parts-only saws, but...
Both P&Cs look good through the exhaust, compression seems good.
The bars have plenty of life in them, the Craftsman bar doesn't seem to have been used much (both chains are safety).
They should clean-up nicely, the one that's missing the carb is esp. nice under the crud.
The cleaner one looks as though someone installed a new fuel line, but the carb is missing, not sure why .
One sprocket looks barely used, the other is wornout (I'll need to check my tub-o-sprockets for a spare).
As far as I can tell, there's no grinding in the bottom ends, and no excessive play in the crankshafts.

I didn't test for spark, that'll be done later.

Your thoughts, please: On the 'clean' saw I get a clicking from the starter side when I turn the engine using the clutch. It appears that the starter pawls are dragging on the recoil/not retracting (if that makes sense). That doesn't happen on the other saw.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

I received a couple of tophandle Craftsman chainsaws, 358.355161 & 358.355160, this afternoon. I gave them a quick go-over, but it was too damned hot to worry about photos, so the feePay link will have to suffice for now:

2 craftsman chainsaws | eBay

The seller dropped them in a box just the way they're shown in the listing; he didn't remove the B&Cs, use any packing material, or drain them. The bottom of the box was soaked in oil & mix (I'm surprised that the USPS didn't flag them as hazardous), & one of the bars was sticking out through the box.

There is good news. I was expecting them to be totally fried parts-only saws, but...
Both P&Cs look good through the exhaust, compression seems good.
The bars have plenty of life in them, the Craftsman bar doesn't seem to have been used much (both chains are safety).
They should clean-up nicely, the one that's missing the carb is esp. nice under the crud.
The cleaner one looks as though someone installed a new fuel line, but the carb is missing, not sure why .
One sprocket looks barely used, the other is wornout (I'll need to check my tub-o-sprockets for a spare).
As far as I can tell, there's no grinding in the bottom ends, and no excessive play in the crankshafts.

I didn't test for spark, that'll be done later.

Your thoughts, please: On the 'clean' saw I get a clicking from the starter side when I turn the engine using the clutch. It appears that the starter pawls are dragging on the recoil/not retracting (if that makes sense). That doesn't happen on the other saw.

My first thought is that I could never get away with shipping a saw to someone like that! I box mine up with a bunch of packing and tape, reinforce the box and still have trouble with the P.O. getting them there in one piece.
Second thought is I really like those Craftsman and Poulan micros, have a couple, one just like the one of yours on the right. Mine is actually a 2.3 18" but I felt it would be happier with a 16" bar and chain and have ordered a new chain for it. Those saws will clean up nicely and can be made to run well with little effort but don't expect to get much from them on ebay. For some reason, unknown to us, those saws don't seem to bring much. I'd much rather have one of those than the newer versions of Craftsman saws that size.
On the clicking you're probably right, maybe the pawl springs are broken or missing. Easy to find out!

 

[Chris J.]

I've been trying to focus on the 2.3/38cc Poulans & Craftsman saws with AV. This was one of those "I'll make a small bid to see what happens, I'll probably get outbid anyway" bids. The grunge on the saws had me worried about the condition of the P&Cs, I was relieved when they had compression, and decided to take a look through the exhaust.

I don't plan to run the 16" bars on the Micros. I have some 12" Partner bars that Ed sent me for my Skilsaw 1616, need to check to see if they'll work on a Poulan Micro.

Hmm....Poulan Micro V. Skilsaw 16XX....actually I think we already know the winner .

 

[joe25DA]

On the way to work yesterday i spotted some tools on the side of the road, and among them some green...The stuff was covered in dew (being 5:50am) clearly the guy put it out to be picked. I found a decent Black/green 2000 complete so I grabbed it. When i got to work I pulled the muffler and found the p/c scored up nasty. Some dumba$$ straight gassed it to death. But if anyone needs it for parts it has them all and its clean. Ill post pics if theres interest.

 

[barneyrb]

I received a couple of tophandle Craftsman chainsaws, 358.355161 & 358.355160, this afternoon. I gave them a quick go-over, but it was too damned hot to worry about photos, so the feePay link will have to suffice for now:

2 craftsman chainsaws | eBay

The seller dropped them in a box just the way they're shown in the listing; he didn't remove the B&Cs, use any packing material, or drain them. The bottom of the box was soaked in oil & mix (I'm surprised that the USPS didn't flag them as hazardous), & one of the bars was sticking out through the box.

There is good news. I was expecting them to be totally fried parts-only saws, but...
Both P&Cs look good through the exhaust, compression seems good.
The bars have plenty of life in them, the Craftsman bar doesn't seem to have been used much (both chains are safety).
They should clean-up nicely, the one that's missing the carb is esp. nice under the crud.
The cleaner one looks as though someone installed a new fuel line, but the carb is missing, not sure why .
One sprocket looks barely used, the other is wornout (I'll need to check my tub-o-sprockets for a spare).
As far as I can tell, there's no grinding in the bottom ends, and no excessive play in the crankshafts.

I didn't test for spark, that'll be done later.

Your thoughts, please: On the 'clean' saw I get a clicking from the starter side when I turn the engine using the clutch. It appears that the starter pawls are dragging on the recoil/not retracting (if that makes sense). That doesn't happen on the other saw.

Chris, I straightened one of those out and gave it to my father. He is now 81 and needed a small saw for cleaning up limbs and such. It has been a decent runner (100% stock) and plenty durable for him. It's about like any of the 2300's it'll run like you take care of it.....

 

[Chris J.]

It's been over 36 hours since post was made? Y'all Poulan guys are really slipping.

Can anyone direct me to the correct IPL(s) for the two Craftsman saws, 358.355161 & 358.355160, or the correspoding Poulan IPL(s)?

I've tried to track down IPLs for the two Craftsman saws, but every link I've found takes me to a Poulan Owners Manual for the 1800 2000 2300. The Craftsman manuals usually include a Parts List, the Poulan manual doesn't. At the the Sears site, PartsDirect?, all I'm finding for download in the Poulan OM.