Poulan 306A Stud or Dud?

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rob206

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Well the Poulan thread was pretty interesting to read and it got me to wondering what people's thoughts were on the Poulan 306A? My dad sort of gave his to me, but it does not currently run. I have a new muffler for it, but I haven't really tried to diagnose the problem yet. I won't be able to diagnose much anyhow, as I'm not mechanically gifted.

Anyway, I noticed some people have this model and was wondering how it does? How would you rate to it's competitors of the time?
 
The 306 was the best of its time in my opinion. They are one good saw and very light weight for the amount of power. They last 4-ever, my dad ran his 25-30 yrs ago and cut alot of wood and is still running it. I have had mine for 12 yrs and for the longest time it was my only saw and it has never let me down. They out cut the Homelite Super XL and the Stihl 041 farmboss, I have seen this 1st hand.
 
Well the Poulan thread was pretty interesting to read and it got me to wondering what people's thoughts were on the Poulan 306A? My dad sort of gave his to me, but it does not currently run. I have a new muffler for it, but I haven't really tried to diagnose the problem yet. I won't be able to diagnose much anyhow, as I'm not mechanically gifted.

Anyway, I noticed some people have this model and was wondering how it does? How would you rate to it's competitors of the time?

the 306 is a Stud diffintly not a dud
 
Thanks for the feedback. I really would like to get it running again. My dad bought it used from a friend of his at work and my dad didn't really use it too much himself. He lent it out to a friend of his sometime during the 90's and it was still running when it was returned to my dad. My dad's buddy used it to clear some of his property. Since then it has sat in my dad's garage for many years, unused, and now doesn't run.
 
A little late getting to the party but I do have a lot of respect for the 306A, we bought 2 of them in 1979 and run them hard for 5-6 years, by that time the tin mufflers had cracked and broken so bad it would make your ears bleed to run them. Had to retire them back then but have since replaced the mufflers and they now run real well.
Pioneerguy600
 
Thanks for the feedback. I really would like to get it running again. My dad bought it used from a friend of his at work and my dad didn't really use it too much himself. He lent it out to a friend of his sometime during the 90's and it was still running when it was returned to my dad. My dad's buddy used it to clear some of his property. Since then it has sat in my dad's garage for many years, unused, and now doesn't run.

rob if you can put it on the shelf till after i get this bankruptcy finalized im going back into the ope business and will have a new online store site which will consist of Obsolete Poulan Homelite McCulloch parts as well as current Briggs Tecumseh Kohler Kawasaki Engine parts ATV aftermarket parts oregon parts etc.

i have about 10 sources that are holding there inventory till i get restarted one of them has obsolete poulan and homelite as well as prestolite and phelon pts condensers and coils but i will not let his info out cause i want that inventory

but im going to wait till i get restarted to go get it

i have to drive about a good distance but i will drive to go get the items

depending on the trustee and what they want to take off me i may or may not loose my inventory of old parts

i will just tell them if they want to hassle with that inventory then go ahead they may not be able to sell it

but the paper work will be what will be overwhelming

happy 4th weekend for you
calvin

and since i wont have any bills to pay i will be moving into a warehouse structure where the inventory will be counted boxed pictured and put on quickbooks software with bin location
hopefully the warehouse will be big enough to house all the inventory as far as local folks is concerned i will have repair shop for mobile service only
i will also become a corporation probily a S corp

and will have internet access so i can be at the warehouse 9am - 5 pm 5 days a week

good thing about that is it is about 3 -4 minutes from the post office
 
Last edited:
Lawnmowertech
The 306 is on the shelf in my garage and isn't going anywhere. I was able to locate a new muffler and baffle for it, but there is more work to be done on it. When I tried to start it, it didn't pop at all. I guess I need to check for a spark first of all and take it from there. If you get these old Poulan parts I may need your service.

Happy 4th of July.:cheers:
 
306A is a great saw! Rob, check the p&c for scoring by looking through the exhaust port if you haven't done so already. Check the fuel line. Very likely broken or in pieces if it has sat up for a while. Great threat on here by ModifiedMark on fuel line replacement for 306.

http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=91227

I don't pull the flywheel but help fish the line down from the top with a small wire. Make sure plug is in good shape. It's an easy find CJ8 set to .025". Good luck. Let us know your progress. Want to hear about it running soon.

Steve
 
306A Won't Stay Running

I was given one of these saws. It looks pretty good and clean. I replaced the fuel lines and filter. I need to locate the gasket for the fuel tank cover, mine is seeping now.

Also, I can't get it to run other than putting fuel directly in the carb. Fuel won't come up the fuel lines. I took the top off the carb. I think those gaskets are hard. I was able to suck fuel through the lines from the top of the carb (yick). Does this saw have the Tillotson HS Carb? I know parts for these things are hard to find. Wondering about the Fuel tank cover gasket and positively identifying the carb. The numbers stamped in the carb are 196A938. From the few pics on the web, it looks like a Tillotson.

Would the fuel problem likely be a bad diaphragm?
Thanks in advance.
Marty
 
I was given one of these saws. It looks pretty good and clean. I replaced the fuel lines and filter. I need to locate the gasket for the fuel tank cover, mine is seeping now.

Also, I can't get it to run other than putting fuel directly in the carb. Fuel won't come up the fuel lines. I took the top off the carb. I think those gaskets are hard. I was able to suck fuel through the lines from the top of the carb (yick). Does this saw have the Tillotson HS Carb? I know parts for these things are hard to find. Wondering about the Fuel tank cover gasket and positively identifying the carb. The numbers stamped in the carb are 196A938. From the few pics on the web, it looks like a Tillotson.

Would the fuel problem likely be a bad diaphragm?
Thanks in advance.
Marty

marty sounds like the carb diaphragm may be brittle
as far as the gasket

the fuel tank cover gasket i have those in stock
http://www.cmsmallengines.net/poulan-tank-gasket-530-019005-530019005-fits-306a-245a-p3520.html


i also have two fuel tank covers they are gray in color

i will let them go for $ 5.00 each whoever wants to have a spare since that item is nla from poulan
let me know calvin
 
I was given one of these saws. It looks pretty good and clean. I replaced the fuel lines and filter. I need to locate the gasket for the fuel tank cover, mine is seeping now.

Also, I can't get it to run other than putting fuel directly in the carb. Fuel won't come up the fuel lines. I took the top off the carb. I think those gaskets are hard. I was able to suck fuel through the lines from the top of the carb (yick). Does this saw have the Tillotson HS Carb? I know parts for these things are hard to find. Wondering about the Fuel tank cover gasket and positively identifying the carb. The numbers stamped in the carb are 196A938. From the few pics on the web, it looks like a Tillotson.

Would the fuel problem likely be a bad diaphragm?
Thanks in advance.
Marty

Surely a rebuild kit for the carb is what you need.
 
marty sounds like the carb diaphragm may be brittle
as far as the gasket

the fuel tank cover gasket i have those in stock
http://www.cmsmallengines.net/poulan-tank-gasket-530-019005-530019005-fits-306a-245a-p3520.html


i also have two fuel tank covers they are gray in color

i will let them go for $ 5.00 each whoever wants to have a spare since that item is nla from poulan
let me know calvin

Good news on the tank gasket.... :clap:
How about an air filter for the 306A?
Do you have the carb kit for the 306A?
Marty
 
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