Chainsaw Repair

I've always thought that folks put too much stock in a closed port design over any open port design (and in particular, a 'quad port' type closed port type over every other design).  Several of my favorite saw designs have open port transfers.  Poulan 4200-8500 CounterVibes.  82cc McCulloch 10-series (SP80/81, PM850/800/805/8200, DE80).  SXL-925 Homelites.  All of those saw families have reputations for being strong work saws.

Most either have four open ports (one 'divider' bisecting the open transfer port on each side) or six open ports (two dividers on each side).  I'm not talking about racing saws or being the fastest through a cant (although guys have had success doing that with some of these designs.........notably the big CounterVibe Poulans). 

Talking about running a bar on the 'large side' of the range for the saw's displacement class without struggling.  At the time these saws were produced, closed port designs were already in use in other models.  There's little new under the sun.  Piston port engines aren't a 'newer' or 'more modern' design than reed valve engines.  They're both OLD designs (as are rotary/disc valve 2-strokes).  Not at all saying that open port jugs are better than closed port designs.  Just that the closed port designs aren't the only game in town when it comes to making power.

The "nothing new under the sun" is very true..
I Got a chance to actually put the Poulan to work Tuesday. Cut cedars with it. It behaved well and runs a 20" w/3/8" cutters fine.
Oils well also.
At 54cc, it could be put in the same class as the popular 029/290, but I'd give it a slight performance edge, along with a whole lot simpler design to work on.
I opened the muffler up a touch, and didn't see any earth shattering improvements. As it wasn't really restricted too bad from the factory.
Still rather quiet.