Poulan Pro 330 First Use Review

[leeave96]

I finally got around to buying one of these Poulan Pro 330 chainsaws and even later got around to using it the other day cutting a bit of firewood. Here is what I found:

1. The spark plug was :censored: near seized when I went to replace it with an NGK plug. Finally got it out, but not without thinking I'm going to break something first!

2. Fired-up the saw and tuned the carb a bit after it had a chance to warm-up.

3. Saw has plenty of power for the 22" bar.

4. Carb DOES fluctuate at idle, no matter how you adjust it AND if you don't set the idle a bit high, the saw will randomly stall.

5. Oiler puts out way to much oil - I'll have to adjust it another day.

6. I didn't feel the saw was overly heavy even with the 22" bar, but it was much more noisey than I expected and the muffler is stock.

7. The 22" bar was OK. I prefer a 16" bar and at some point will change it. the longer bar was handy in as much as I didn't have to work my aching back as much when sawing stuff on or near the ground.

8. Even though the stock spikes have been throughly panned on this forum, I found they work OK, just really big!

Finally, I like tinkering with these chainsaws and Stihl is my preference. This Poulan seems like an OK saw, but upon first impression, don't think it is in the same class as a Stihl.

Is it a keeper, yea. If I had to only own one saw, maybe something else.

More later as I use it and get used to it.

Thanks!
Bill

 

[TADD]

I appreciate your review. I had similar experiences with saw at idle, my biggest issue was saw running on high rpms after cut with no throttle applied, just found it annoying. Did not have any issues with spark plug.

Based on other reviews I have went ahead and removed the carb. and ordered a Walbro HDA-49 carb. have heard it is big improvement (picked one up for $20 plus $12 S/H). Didn't really need this saw just alot of buzz about it being good deal. My Husky 350 does the limbing work that I need out of a 50cc saw with a 16" NK bar and chain it is quite nimble.

With the 330 I have modified the muffler, and removed the base gasket waiting on carb.. I have ordered 22" Oregon Skip chain to see how it works (my first experience with skip chain) with this saw. I have ran it with the standard 3/8 on a 18" bar with good results. Might go with .325 NK on a new 18" if not happy with the 22". I don't regret the puchase, I think it will all work out well in the end just not the saw out of the box I had hoped.

 

[TADD]

Just finished last post and checked mail and had received the carb. and new chain. Put new carb. on went with Cliff R previous posts on fitting carb, that being I used a drill (I believe #12) bit to fit the intake elbow from old carb to new carb to accept the larger fuel line, worked great for me. Slapped on 22" bar and new skip chain, has not been 24 hours on copper RTV at cylinder base so will have to wait till this weekend to see how she does.

 

[jd548esco72]

humm, i wonder if one can fit a carb from another saw to the 330? i got a couple stihl and husky carbs just laying around--LOL

 

[TADD]

How is it working out?

It seems to have some great specs for the money even if a new carb is needed.

I bought one but I haven't used it yet

Sorry my other posts seemed to run on, as I read them now they are hard to follow. To answer your question it has been a good saw I can't say the carb change totally fixed the run on... but I do think it helped, it was a cheap change anyway (about $28 on ebay). The saw has performed well all winter. I was really impressed with the use of the skip-tooth on the 22" bar it seemed to like it real well, the saw could maintain high rpm's through the whole cut. I think you will like the $200 investment.

 

[Old51AVE]

My spark plug was a bit tight as well... It is a good idea to always service the spark plug in an aluminum head engine with the engine warm! You got a steel plug in an aluminum head, so the differences in the coefficient of thermal expansion can make it challenging, unless you use them to your advantage! Having said that, a lil copper coat or other anti-seize on the threads upon installation isn't a bad idea either, just keep it ON the threads and don't slop any on the tip, it's conductive!

Just posted on another 330 thread about the idle, mine WAS doing it (slightly) before I gave it some good workouts, now it's FINE!! Poulan will warranty it, though, as was said in an earlier post!!

Cheers

Old51AVE :greenchainsaw: