Chainsaw Repair

I agree with you.   I read the other thread also and had commented over there.
It could have been dropped or any number of things that lead to it splitting. 

Who knows what some of these saws have had done to them in the past.   When I bought my 3500 the clutch was welded together on it with no springs in it.   Just the extra weight in the wrong place on that clutch would have caused some imbalance.   

Could have been a casting flaw in the flywheel.  It also could have been damaged by being whacked with a hammer or dropped onto a concrete floor sometime in the past.

There were a few old Echo models that experienced FW failures.  One is the CS1001VL if I'm not mistaken.  More than a few of them have grenaded the FW.  I know a guy in Pa that has that model in his collection.  The FW blew a while back.  Thankfully, nobody was hurt.

Another Echo model with FW issues was the CS500VL.  There were so many problems that Echo had a recall of the saws.  If your 500VL fit within a certain SN range (mine is after it......dangit), they'd give you a new saw to replace it. In the wording of the recall, they blamed improper R/R of the FW during breaker points service (by homeowners, or improperly trained mechanics).........causing damage to the FW that could later result in a blown FW. 

The 500VL's after that SN range have a stronger FW (and possibly a different crank/FW taper....cannot remember now).  The 500EVL (electronic ign) saws are also not affected by the recall.  Recall is dated 1986 or so.

pics

The chain that came of 365 was Oregon 76 SL 3/8. If someone needs it for the chassis and drive links for making lighter race chain just trade me a 60dl chain or cost of replacement plus shipping to you.

are parts still available for this line of bigger poulan's?

I have everything they need. But alot is going NLA anymore.