Poulan 306

[Jasonrkba]

Picked one up in a lot I purchased today. Any opinions from someone with experience using one? Paid $60 for the lot. Really just wanted the 306.

 

[Bobby Kirbos]

60cc of 10k RPM WOT, but super torque that will pull all day and rattle your teeth. I've got its big brother, the 245. Same bottom end, different slug and jug (think MS650/660).

Replacement parts are available around the internet, but crank seals can be difficult to find. One side (the flywheel IIRC) is a standard size and still in production. The other side however is an odd combination of dimensions and is no longer made. They are out there though.

When I did the rebuild on mine, I dumped the obsolete points ignition and put in one of those Oregon solid state modules.

The carb has a mechanical governor built into it. It's actually pretty neat considering it was designed in the late 60s/early 70s. When it senses a particular vibration, it opens some ports and dumps fuel into the intake, dropping the RPMs. When you tune it, start with the high end VERY rich, and work your way into the 2-stroke note. It is easy to confuse the 4-stroke note with the governor kicking in.

As for mix, I'm running mine at 32:1.

Also, Oregon did make a rim & drum for the 306/245. It is now obsolete as well, but again, look around because they are out there.

 

[Jasonrkba]

I have this question in the poulan thread but more people may see it here. Does the nipple that the fuel Line goes on screw in or pop out to change the lines?

 

[Bobby Kirbos]

I don't think it comes off. I don't recall seeing anywhere that a wrench would grab. I suspect it's a press fit. The other side of that nipple has another nipple inside the fuel tank. I suspect the only way to change the line in the tank is to open the tank.

You need 2 different size pieces of tubing - 1 size for inside the tank, and another for that short run from the tank to the carb.

 

[jltrent]

A shame that parts are NLA for these and lots of others. THe same for the 3400, 3700 4000 series saws as some parts are NLA and they will cut with any new saw.

 

[Jasonrkba]

I started pulling it apart today. Here is a good lesson to all about the importance of cleaning behind the flywheel. I learned this from some helpful folks on the Homelite site. There is no way the manual oiler was functional.

 

[gumneck]

Seems like you got a good deal for those 3. Especially if the red craftsman is a 2.3. I like em.

 

[Jasonrkba]

The poulan 2775 needed a good cleaning, fuel line and carb kit. I opened up the exhaust while I was at it. It runs great and will be my new loaner. The red craftsman is a 2.1, figure thats the one I'll flip. Cleaning the 306 is a two day job. One of the seals are going to be difficult to locate. #1936

 

[hotshot]

That 530001936 seal is readily available from TCM/Dichtomatic #068091VM, and so are the other two in that saw.

Search for a thread with “seal finders” in the title, started by “modifiedmark”...