Cheap fix for dead cheapie Poulans

[Old2stroke]

This applies only to the small Poulan and Poulan Pros in the advertised displacements of 33cc to 42cc that have been spilling out of box stores for decades. This is for the simple clamshell engines and is not meant for any with strato cylinders or the little top handle saws. When these saws turn up dead, it usually means both the cylinder and the piston need replacement and that often makes the repairs cost more than the saw. On ebay, you can find a p/c replacement kit from china for $30.00 US with no shipping charges. It is advertised as a replacement for a lot of Partners and Poulans and comes complete with a chrome plated cylinder, non-plated 2-ring piston, wrist pin and clips and the cylinder base (mine was missing but I didn't need it) Came in 2 weeks and was a perfect fit replacement for the one on a 36cc green body that had died from low compression due to wear on the non-plated cylinder. To clear up any misinformation on these saws, there is only one cylinder casting that comes in 2 bore sizes, 38mm and 41mm and they all use the same crankshaft. The main difference between the Poulan and the Poulan Pro is the Pro has a chrome plated cylinder and a non-plated piston, whereas the regular Poulan has a chrome plated piston and a non-plated cylinder. This kit would also work with any of the Craftsman saws that use the same Poulan clamshell engine. The great thing about this kit is will fit any of these saws and upgrade them to a 42cc Poulan Pro. Just open up the muffler, retune the carb and you get a good simple saw with lots of power for light duty work.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/252619622348?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[s sidewall]

What about the strato saws built from 2006 up to now

Steve

 

[ANewSawyer]

So that is why the Poulans die, un plated cylinder wears out quick. Good to know about the cylinder replacement.

 

[s sidewall]

Man, no wonder my cylinder looks bad on my 3400, not plated.

Steve

 

[Honda_man]

Any good gasket sets?

 

[dougand3]

What about the strato saws built from 2006 up to now
Steve

I think this McCulloch 742 should match up to strato Poulans. ~$41

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cylinder-Pi...027054?hash=item3ad9411fee:g:PB8AAOSwA3dYXdSM

 

[Chris-PA]

I'd be curious what the squish clearance is. I bought one of the 2-ring pistons and it has 0.050" squish with a stock Poulan cylinder.

So that is why the Poulans die, un plated cylinder wears out quick. Good to know about the cylinder replacement.

Not really - they wear pretty well, but they are intolerant of any foreign objects in the cylinder (carbon chunks, etc.).

 

[grizz55chev]

I'd be curious what the squish clearance is. I bought one of the 2-ring pistons and it has 0.050" squish with a stock Poulan cylinder.

Not really - they wear pretty well, but they are intolerant of any foreign objects in the cylinder (carbon chunks, etc.).

Not to mention vac leaks.

 

[s sidewall]

My 06 Poulan wild thing shows 40cc on the cover but emission label says 42cc, who is right?

Steve

 

[Old2stroke]

As mentioned, this kit will not replace strato cylinders. As far as I can tell, there are only 2 bore sizes, the 38mm and the 41mm/42mm (don't know which one is the correct size). Since they all use the same crank, the stroke is the same for all engines, so there are really only 2 displacements. The various advertised displacements are marketing ploys that just reflect the length of the bar. Should have pointed out earlier that if anyone is replacing a Poulan Pro cylinder with this kit, the Pro model has coil springs for AV mounts and you should check how the springs attach to the cylinder to be sure it is an exact fit.

 

[GeorgiaVol]

I still find it strange that y'all end up with more burnt Poulan engines in this model saw. I get more melted cases then I do burnt jugs. Most of the ones I get it there is a problem other than fuel related issues, it's the case get warped by the exhaust outlet above the clutch cover. Anyway, I might get one of these just to try it out. Has anyone ported a Poulan engine like this? Or figured out a way to increase squish? I'm curious to know how much these little saws can take.

 

[scottr]

My 06 Poulan wild thing shows 40cc on the cover but emission label says 42cc, who is right?

Steve

Steve, my PP220 has a 38cc starter decal , the epa decal is 42cc so I measured the bore and it was 41mm. That makes it a 42cc engine .

 

[s sidewall]

I may check mine, I believe it's a 42cc.

Steve

 

[svk]

This applies only to the small Poulan and Poulan Pros in the advertised displacements of 33cc to 42cc that have been spilling out of box stores for decades. This is for the simple clamshell engines and is not meant for any with strato cylinders or the little top handle saws. When these saws turn up dead, it usually means both the cylinder and the piston need replacement and that often makes the repairs cost more than the saw. On ebay, you can find a p/c replacement kit from china for $30.00 US with no shipping charges. It is advertised as a replacement for a lot of Partners and Poulans and comes complete with a chrome plated cylinder, non-plated 2-ring piston, wrist pin and clips and the cylinder base (mine was missing but I didn't need it) Came in 2 weeks and was a perfect fit replacement for the one on a 36cc green body that had died from low compression due to wear on the non-plated cylinder. To clear up any misinformation on these saws, there is only one cylinder casting that comes in 2 bore sizes, 38mm and 41mm and they all use the same crankshaft. The main difference between the Poulan and the Poulan Pro is the Pro has a chrome plated cylinder and a non-plated piston, whereas the regular Poulan has a chrome plated piston and a non-plated cylinder. This kit would also work with any of the Craftsman saws that use the same Poulan clamshell engine. The great thing about this kit is will fit any of these saws and upgrade them to a 42cc Poulan Pro. Just open up the muffler, retune the carb and you get a good simple saw with lots of power for light duty work.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/252619622348?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Help me remember, is this the family that also includes the Husqvarna saws or no?

 

[svk]

I still find it strange that y'all end up with more burnt Poulan engines in this model saw. I get more melted cases then I do burnt jugs. Most of the ones I get it there is a problem other than fuel related issues, it's the case get warped by the exhaust outlet above the clutch cover. Anyway, I might get one of these just to try it out. Has anyone ported a Poulan engine like this? Or figured out a way to increase squish? I'm curious to know how much these little saws can take.

Perhaps they melt the case in hotter temps? I see the OP is in Canada so maybe the cylinders die first in cooler weather...

 

[s sidewall]

Mine started at the clutch cover before I modded the muffler and changed exhaust direction.

Steve

 

[Chris-PA]

I still find it strange that y'all end up with more burnt Poulan engines in this model saw. I get more melted cases then I do burnt jugs. Most of the ones I get it there is a problem other than fuel related issues, it's the case get warped by the exhaust outlet above the clutch cover. Anyway, I might get one of these just to try it out. Has anyone ported a Poulan engine like this? Or figured out a way to increase squish? I'm curious to know how much these little saws can take.

Maybe....

http://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/reducing-squish-on-a-poulan-clamshell.273087/

http://www.arboristsite.com/community/threads/exhaust-delayed-scavenging.292902/

 

[GeorgiaVol]

People say you can't bore cylinders but if a Poulan has a bare aluminum wall why can't you?

 

[scottr]

People say you can't bore cylinders but if a Poulan has a bare aluminum wall why can't you?

GV , here is the best thread that I've read on this question that was started by Scooterbum, 'Boring a cylinder ???????' in the chainsaw forum .

 

[scottr]

I may check mine, I believe it's a 42cc.

Steve

Steve , I checked my 2006 PP4018 with the 40cc starter side decal and the piston is 41mm , the same as my PP220 another 42cc engine .