Poulan Wild Thing (42cc) vs Husqvarna 346 (45cc) What's the difference?

[777funk]

Poulan is or was a division of Husky as far as I know. So aren't these two basically the same saw?



Ok of course they're not. One is over 1HP stronger than the other in stock form. I've been on a little bit of a kick to get the maximum potential (within reason) out of the common 42cc Poulan clam shell design. I like the saws to a certain extent. They're light. They cut ok for the money. They can be had for basically nothing (I've gotten them free on a few occasions).

So my question is, with a similar displacement, what makes the coveted Husqvarna saw so much more powerful?

I realize this is a case where it all adds up, but what do you think would be the most influential differences?

Differences (relating to the engines only) I can see:
-air filter with cloth and large surface area instead of restrictive sponge
-carb
-better transfers (most likely)
-one is a clamshell (poulan)

I've seen in a video that just the air filter removed adds 1/2HP to a 3hp saw. So obviously breathing is a big deal.

I wonder if I were to fab up a 346xp air filter and carb onto the 42cc Poulan how much I'd gain. I have muffler modded the Poulan saws and noticed a pretty big difference.

Similarities I'm aware of (without owning a 346xp):
-displacement is close
-piston is 1 ring only on both saws.

This is not about other comforts of the saws; only the engine's power. Obviously, they're two completely different experiences in handling.

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

Nope not same. Not even freaking close either.

Husky owns poulan for awhile now.

Poulan was purchased by Elux 1984, which closed its Shreveport factory in 1988. In 2006 Electrolux spun off Husqvarna into its own company.

Clamshell plastic saw v/s mag cased real saw.

1999 first year 346 OE 42mm bore

 

[777funk]

Nope not same. Not even freaking close either.

Husky owns poulan for awhile now.

Poulan was purchased by Elux 1984, which closed its Shreveport factory in 1988. In 2006 Electrolux spun off Husqvarna into its own company. In 2022

Clamshell plastic saw v/s mag cased real saw.

1999 first year 346 OE 42mm bore

Right, and nice pictures. Of course they're not even close. I take it that you hadn't seen the rest of my post. Obviously not the same saw. But from an engineering/physics standpoint, I am curious what makes such a huge difference in two similar sized saws?

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

Right, and nice pictures. Of course they're not even close. I take it that you hadn't seen the rest of my post. Obviously not the same saw. But from an engineering/physics standpoint, I am curious what makes such a huge difference in two similar sized saws?

When you get a OE 346 42mm and do same work to it and compare. Then I will read again.

I own and owned both to know several times over.

No comparison and the 346 have anti-vibe. Not rattle your teeth like the poulan CLAMSHELL.

Out of the box full 3/8 round chisel work chain. Poulan WT aint pulling no full 3/8 chain.

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

But the poulans can be built as they do that for a sawfest class here. Joe even built one and several others I know did too. Neat to watch them on pipe, nitrous, alky/nitro etc.

But still not the same level of OE 346.

Few pics of builds over the years I have saved and me timing one year.

 

[Michael E]

I too am interested in the opening question: What exactly makes the difference in power? Compression? Air flow? Carburetor? Exhaust?

 

[OM617YOTA]

These days I wouldn't even consider a saw without antivibe for anything but hanging on a wall as shop decor.

 

[irhunter]

Seems to me, a better first question would be:

Wild Thing v. Husky 345.

Since we know the 345 can have a 346xp cylinder (plus, this and that) bolted on...producing a more-or-less plastic-bottomed 346.

Roy

 

[Old2stroke]

I too am interested in the opening question: What exactly makes the difference in power? Compression? Air flow? Carburetor? Exhaust?

Seems to be a lot of people with a reading disability, can’t get anyone to address the OP’s issue. Add port size, timing and polish to your list

 

[777funk]

Seems to be a lot of people with a reading disability, can’t get anyone to address the OP’s issue. Add port size, timing and polish to your list

Yes indeed. The question is: Why are they such different animals?

Instead, we have... no they're not the same. I guess my mistake is the first line of the first post. Most of the replies are to this instead of the title of the thread and the rest of post #1 as in, what's the difference? Why the difference?

We already know they're not the same. A 42cc Poulan is only 2HP whereas a 346xp is approximately twice that.

Maybe it's sort of unknown territory. It's unknown for me, thus the post.

 

[Chainsaw Pete]

We already know they're not the same. A 42cc Poulan is only 2HP whereas a 346xp is approximately twice that.

Maybe it's sort of unknown territory. It's unknown for me, thus the post.

It is not unknown territory. I know very little about two strokes, but I've been working on 4 cycle car and mc engines for most of my adult life, so I'll take a crack at answering your questions...from a common sense (but not necessarily factual) point of view. First, you have a 3 cc difference. Next compare the carbs. On old Guzzi's you could up the hp by increasing the carb's diameter so it flows more air/fuel mix (I have no idea what the saws' carb differences might be). For your two saws, intake port size and configuration as well as timing will make a tremendous difference. Add gains by better exhaust port size, positioning/timing. I've not even mentioned compression and/or squish bands.

Your question is comparing apples to oranges - they are engines probably with more differences than similarities. Why do Porsche engines put out more hp than their cousin VW flat 4 engines? Same thing - better breathing, better exhaust, bigger carbs, etc.

Could you make a Poulan's HP output the same as a Husky's? Probably at great expense of time and work. You might even need to put some Poulan components on a milling machine and significantly change some dimensions. Would it be worth while? Perhaps as a learning experience, but it makes no financial sense.

 

[ElevatorGuy]

Both are junk.

 

[djmercer1]

I will take a stab at this by comparing to something i know a bit more about - tho I am a civil guy not mechanical...

you question is similar to asking why the lb7 made 300hp and 500 ftlbs and the new models 550hp and 1050ftlbs while same displacement and many similarities (talking about the duramax).... the difference was breathing and fuel supply mostly as GM evolved the powerplants.... having said that, many guys did mod the lb7 to make more power than the latest l5p - def a cost to doing this....

as to the difference in the poulan and the husky u mentioned and exactly how it impacts output - not sure if anyone has ever borke both down side by side to do the verifications and required upgrades to close the gaps....

 

[777funk]

I will take a stab at this by comparing to something i know a bit more about - tho I am a civil guy not mechanical...

you question is similar to asking why the lb7 made 300hp and 500 ftlbs and the new models 550hp and 1050ftlbs while same displacement and many similarities (talking about the duramax).... the difference was breathing and fuel supply mostly as GM evolved the powerplants.... having said that, many guys did mod the lb7 to make more power than the latest l5p - def a cost to doing this....

as to the difference in the poulan and the husky u mentioned and exactly how it impacts output - not sure if anyone has ever borke both down side by side to do the verifications and required upgrades to close the gaps....

This is true. My son mentioned the Ford 351 engines in different applications having double the HP. All of that is based on fuel and air (and in some cases a bottom end built to handle it).

I saw on here a saw racer putting bigger carbs on Homelite's biggest saw for quite a bit of a gain. Of course he did more than that. But I think that was the big one.

Similarly, I have read that a Johnson 9.9 and Johnson 15 horse was just a carb swap.

So I wonder how much this would help these little saws. I'm by no means interested in racing them or putting pipes on etc. But if I could get the 2HP up to closer to 3.5HP like my 026 (or the 346xp), that'd be a pretty nice improvement.

 

[ElevatorGuy]

You’re looking to almost double the hp of those saws!? You’re dreaming, I don’t think nitrous would get those to 3.5 hp.

 

[777funk]

You’re looking to almost double the hp of those saws!? You’re dreaming, I don’t think nitrous would get those to 3.5 hp.

I've seen these saws running on regular gas pulling .325 with a 16" bar just as well as my 026. So, it is possible. This guy has 16" full chisel not sure what pitch and it's doing some pretty decent damage.

 

[RedneckChainsawRepair]

I've seen these saws running on regular gas pulling .325 with a 16" bar just as well as my 026. So, it is possible. This guy has 16" full chisel not sure what pitch and it's doing some pretty decent damage.

One of the video's with that saw says 3/8LP.

Stihl makes a great full chisel chain and what I set locals up with on plastic poulans when they want a upgrade.

I use my $5 saw with that chain for cutting apple for smoker.

 

[irhunter]

So I wonder how much this would help these little saws. I'm by no means interested in racing them or putting pipes on etc. But if I could get the 2HP up to closer to 3.5HP like my 026 (or the 346xp), that'd be a pretty nice improvement.

I think, if what you're looking for is mostly a hobby...maxing out a Wild Thing seems like an interesting thing to do.

If what you want is the easiest/cheapest way to get 346xp yank, staring with a blown-up Husky 340/45/50 would be a good approach.

Roy

 

[OM617YOTA]

Stihl makes a great full chisel chain and what I set locals up with on plastic poulans when they want a upgrade.

I ran these disposable Poulans back in the day and still have a pile of chains left that I use on my 80v Kobalt electric saw. When I finally burn through all of them, I'll look into this Stihl full chisel, thanks for the tip.

 

[777funk]

One of the video's with that saw says 3/8LP.

Stihl makes a great full chisel chain and what I set locals up with on plastic poulans when they want a upgrade.

I use my $5 saw with that chain for cutting apple for smoker.

I was wrong. The guy isn't using 325, he's using full sized (regular) 3/8. Looks strong at that. My 026 pulls 325 about this hard.