Author Topic: Interesting happening with PP 255  (Read 526 times)

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Offline Jet A-1

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Interesting happening with PP 255
« on: November 17, 2012, 08:59:16 pm »
Hi folks.  I recently joined this forum but have been lurking here a while now gleening info on maintaining saws.  I've takne an interest in hotrodding them as well (especially those Wildthings, but that's another topic for another time). 

I recently loaned out my trusty PP 255 to a friend who had a couple of old powerline poles he had to cut up and get rid of.  He did so but in the process, apparently, had an issue with my saw.  He said "something" happened to it and it wouldn't spin the chain.  After getting it back and having a quick look, it turns out he was trying to run it with the brake on.  He ran it enough to wear through the band and even melt a bit of plastic on the housing!  But, here's the interesting part, when I gave the starter a tug the cord stayed out.  I thought that was strange as it ran perfect when I loaned it out (I just installed a brand new coil).  So I popped off the starter and immediately saw that the pulley was worn very oddly.  The center of it was worn oblong.  So I never really thought any more of that and went and bought a new pulley, fitted it and got it all back in working order.  Next I figured while I was at it I would give it muffler mod and a new tune for some fun.  I also took the clutch off to have a closer look as is worn bad from the loose chain and the brake being on (still have to get a new band too).  While I was messing with it I noticed that the whole engine was moving around an awful lot..... and then noticed the four bolts missing from the bottom of the saw!!!!  Which explains the oblong hole in the starter pulley and why it was hanging when it was pulled and also explains the ridiculously slack chain.  The engine must have been jumping all around in the body.... weird.  But how come the crankcase never split open with no bolts in it?  It definately ran as I saw the pile of cut poles he had by his garage.

I'm not sure if it's worth bothering to put any money into this saw.  The piston and cylinder look good but it'll need a complete clutch, those four bolts, a brake band (possibly the whole assembly).  All is not lost though.... To make amends he gave me a decent looking Husky 359 that he got in some deal or another.  He had never used as he couldn't get it going.  I had a couple tugs at it and after a bit of fooling and I had it running, but it needs a bar and chain (and a few mods probably....8)).  It is however worth a good bit more than the 255.... in fact it's probably the best saw I've ever owned.

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Offline 660magnum

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Re: Interesting happening with PP 255
« Reply #1 on: November 17, 2012, 09:10:19 pm »
I'm sure you will enjoy the 359
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Offline Cut4fun .

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Re: Interesting happening with PP 255
« Reply #2 on: November 17, 2012, 09:17:12 pm »
Interesting story for sure. Never heard of losing all 4 bolts.  They do use sealer between the clamshell cylinder and case, might be what saved it.

You will like the 359  ;)


Offline Cut4fun .

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Re: Interesting happening with PP 255
« Reply #3 on: November 17, 2012, 09:36:12 pm »
Just wanted to see a poulan pro 255.


Offline Al Smith

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Re: Interesting happening with PP 255
« Reply #4 on: November 18, 2012, 08:31:48 am »
I've got a clam shell Craftsman/Poulan of around 46 cc that was given to me .It also wallered out all the mount bolts .How I found that out is because of the way that one was made when the engine rocked up in a power cut it would disengage from the oil pump. No bar oil ,smoked the bar a tad bit .Also screwed up the start pulley too I might add which is why I got the thing in the first place .My wifes cousin got tired of replacing start pulleys after three of same in about two weeks .

The fix was drilling out the mount holes to 1/4" and re tapping the holes to 1/4" 20 and installing grade 8 socket head screws .

Offline Jet A-1

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Re: Interesting happening with PP 255
« Reply #5 on: November 18, 2012, 09:59:42 am »
Okay, my mistake about which bolts fell out (duh, what was I thinking - Ishouldn't be working on stuff late in the evenings in the dark  ;D)  It turns out it wasn’t the lower end bolts but rather the motor mount bolts.  I was thinking they were the same ones but after completely dismantling the saw I see what happened. 

Has anyone ever had problems with loose fasteners on Poulan saws?  Every screw or bolt I took off this saw was loose or just a smidge past hand tight.  No wonder the four motor mount bolts fell out.  All the bolts and screws seem like they were about to fall out.  It looks like the oil pump gear is hollowed out to since the motor was pulled tight on the PTO side when the chain was trying to be tightened.  One of the spacer sleeves for the motor mount bolts fell out too.  I'm guessing this saw has been slowly self destructing for a while, even before I loaned it out.  It was my back up saw so it never really got much use so it seems strange that it would practically fall apart.  I guess later this I'll swing 'round to my local saw guy and scrounge the parts for the reconstruction.  I like the idea of tapping out the mount bolts though.  That and/or blue Loctite!  I chased the threads (they are M5 x 0.8 apparently) and they are good so if I can find the sleeves and four bolts I'll go that way.

I did, however, port match the muffler/shield/gasket and open the muffler up a bit (widened the existing outlet "cut" and two 3/8" holes in the front plus a few more 3/8" holes in the spark arrester while leaving the screen intact).  Also ditched the carb screw preset sleeves or whatever they are called, so I can give this thing a proper tune.  Next time out it'll either go or blow!

Offline 3000 FPS

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Re: Interesting happening with PP 255
« Reply #6 on: November 19, 2012, 12:21:04 am »
I have a poulan 295 that did the same thing.  All the motor mount screws backed out.   I put them back in with blue lock tite.  I have not had a problem since.
PP 505, 475, 445.

Offline Jet A-1

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Re: Interesting happening with PP 255
« Reply #7 on: November 21, 2012, 01:21:58 pm »
I was going to buy new bolts (they are M5 x 35mm I believe) but one of those spacer sleeves is missing as well.  Plus the oil pump plunger is worn bad as is the black plastic oil pump housing, and the brake band is worn through....and, and.....  I think I'll just put this saw on the back burner until I find a donor saw for parts. :( and move on to another one.

 

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