Poulan 306-SA Restoration

[iowa]

I've been looking for a 306 for a while now. My dad loaned his out a couple yrs. ago after we had a bad ice storm. The friend he loaned it to had it stollen from him. He bought it new from a hardware store and back in 79' it was probably one of the best saws you could buy. He used it for cutting firewood and whenever we had bad storms, etc. He doesn't cut firewood anymore, but having one handy for a job would probably be nice.

I found this one on CL in the St. Louis area. I politely asked the guy if he would send the saw as I'm in the Springfield area. He said he would. He was asking $50 for the saw. When he gave me the total with shipping Fedex he said I owed him $60 paypal. I agreed and 2 days later its on my door step.

The ad stated it had great compression but didn't run. I didn't care. I can fix. The pictures in the ad showed a nice complete saw.

First impressions out of the box, was WOW. For a 30 yr. old saw it was in fantastic shape. There is some corrosion on the end of the handle and some paint missing. But nothing horrible. I took some pics of before disassembly so you can see for yourself. I did pour some mix into the tank and down the carb. After 2 pulls it fired up and ran a short while. Gummed Carb.?? dunno

After taking most of the saw apart tonight I really don't think it's had more than 2 gallon through it. If that. The piston and cylinder look very shiny and nice. Just a tad bit of galling at the exhaust port on the piston. Nothing bad though. I did find out why it didn't want to stay running. The fuel line in the tank was completely rotted and brittle. It wasn't hooked to the nipple outlet! I'm sure if the fuel line was good the saw would run perfect!!

I believe this has the original hard nose bar and chain that comes with it. The chain has been sharpened by the sharpening job on the saw I'm sure..

Here's some pictures. Please let me know any info. you have on these saws. Tips or tricks. I'll be giving this to my dad for his birthday in June. If I can wait that long!!!

 

[iowa]

couple more pics

 

[FATGUY]

find an ipl and lots of ziplock bagies to keep everything straight. Take lots of pictures. It all seems self explanitory when you're disassembeling it, but when you go to reassemble it's not so self explanitory. Be prepared to spend twice as much time and money. Don't use spray paint. Tightten the flywheel properly....Enjoy, it's a lot of fun

 

[iowa]

I would also like to find the decal that goes on the round area on the clutch cover. Is that possible?

 

[FATGUY]

that's not going to be easy. Check with lawnmowertech37.

 

[epicklein22]

Nice saw! Good luck with the restoration.

BTW, that roller tip is a nice plus. Looks cool, functions great and worth money to some racers.

 

[Modifiedmark]

Judging by the muffler, decompresson valve and the clutch, you have a later model saw there.

It should also by my guess be a electronic ign model, but most should have had a decal stating such on top of the flywheel cover, but then again I have never seen the decals that are on the side of the filter cover before.

Let me know if it is a electronic ign.

I just made a couple cuts with that same Barracuda chain the other day and it sucks! First time I cut with that chain in probably 25-30 years.

The chain on my Dayton was .404 pitch so you will probably need a new 3/8's rim to switch it over.

I have the IPL for that saw and am waiting for your email to send it to you.

 

[MS460WOODCHUCK]

I have clutch covers with both stickers for the 306a some have the numbers and some have the letters that spell thirty-o-six. The lettered ones are older.
The sharpening system on the 306sa is junk. At least on what I have came across. If you just change the clutch cover to the standard 306a it won't be a sa. The sa's were the last of the Thirty-o-six's and had the tin mufflers that did not sound near as good as the cast ones.

 

[iowa]

Thanks for all the information and pm's guys. This helps out a lot..

 

[Modifiedmark]

I have clutch covers with both stickers for the 306a some have the numbers and some have the letters that spell thirty-o-six. The lettered ones are older.
The sharpening system on the 306sa is junk. At least on what I have came across. If you just change the clutch cover to the standard 306a it won't be a sa. The sa's were the last of the Thirty-o-six's and had the tin mufflers that did not sound near as good as the cast ones.

Well it will still be part SA with the decompression valve.

 

[iowa]

It was rainy-snowy and cold out today. I tore the saw down and put it in the dishwasher for a good cleaning. Turned out pretty good.

 

[Modifiedmark]

Well it looks about like the Dayton/245 that I had to take back apart today. In about that many pieces also. Found out it had a bad brg in it that I didn't catch the first time.

Got the numbers and will call Motion Industries Monday to get them.

Them style Poulans are sure easy to work on.

Glad your piston and cyl look good, dont lose any of those rod needle brgs!

 

[iowa]

Don't worry. I got all the needle bearings. It sure will be fun putting them back in there. Guess that's what good ol' grease is good for! The crank bearing was a bit rough after going through the washer. I took it and cleaned it well and blew the crap out of it. It now runs nice and smooth. I put grease on it as well...

 

[Modifiedmark]

Those needle brgs are easy if the piston is off the rod. Not so easy when the piston is in the way.

 

[iowa]

Those needle brgs are easy if the piston is off the rod. Not so easy when the piston is in the way.

I'm leaving the piston on the con rod for sure. It'll be ok with grease. They shall stick like glue then..