older crafsman chainsaw parts needed

Hi,

I am a newbie to the forum, so please forgive any ignorance that I may show.

I just was given an early 1980's vintage craftsman 3.7/18" chainsaw. Part number 917353731 (s/n 0540m 12514). It belonged to my Dad to I don't mind putting some cash into for sentimental reasons. I also like the larger 60 cc engine!

The piston is gouged and I am assumming it has poor compression (not yet measured). Also my Dad had the bar and sprocket changed but he can't remember what he had it changed to. The chain that is on it now has S1 stamped on the links (Dad has gone through so many chainsaws over the years that even this one may not be the correct one)

What I need is a new muffler, bar, chain, and sprocket. I am guessing that I also will need Cylinder, piston, rings and the Carb rebuild kit. I got some part numbers from the Sears website
Muffler=676a27
cylinder=9579r
piston=643a12
piston rings=643a18
carb kit= 300-944

Sears no longer carries any of this stuff. Can anyone point me towards someone that may have this as NOS?

Many thanks in advance

Ethan

 

this saw is probably made by homelite or poulan/weedeater. a local saw shop could tell you which one.

 

It is a poulan according to the model#. (917 is the prefix for American Yard Products, and they own Poulan).

 

Would you suggest looking for parts for a Poulan 3.7/18"

When I was taking it apart I did notice that the engine was Roper model # 643m108 if that is anyhelp

 

I have not had any luck finding your parts or part#'s online, You might try this toll free phone and dealer locator on the poulan website, they should get you pointed in the right direction if the parts are still available.
http://www.poulan.com/support.asp
You might also see if there is a small shop in your area that you can take the saw into and work 1st hand with someone, (theres still a few mom n pop shoppes out there and just becuz they are not listed as a "....Dealer" does not mean they cant fix or find the parts )
You also might search on ebay for a used one.

 

I second the Ebay suggestion! Deals can be found.

 

Hello,

thanks for the tips. I am still having problems finding parts. I did get the saw running and I could use some advise on tuning the Walbro Carb.

Also, does anyone know where I can find a chain that is stamped 'A1'?? Or what saw it belongs too? (My dad thinkks he had the bar and sprocket swapped)

e

 

Gently seat both the H and L screws, then back them out about 1 1/2 turns. Crank up the saw and rev it up to full throttle. Find the position of the H screw where the engine screams, and then back it out until the engine gets a little flutter to it. Then bring it to idle and adjust the L screw until the engine idles well, and still has good throttle response.

 

If it still has the original sprocket, you can get a 20 inch bar and chain combo B78 at Home Depot that will fit. You can get another original sprocket replacement at Sears Parts Direct (different part #, same part). Go to the old model # and part # to find the replacement. You can get an 18 inch chain to fit that sprocket also at Home Depot B72. My saw has a Tillotson carb. My saw Model # is 917.353762, and I do have the original book for it. It is also not a Poulan, it is a Roper. Roper and subsequent owners have all gone out of business. For parts, you will just have to search the net.

 

Actually, I believe the 917 vendor code is for the old Roper Corp, now AYP, that provided Sears saws. Poulan vendor code is 358.
Poulan, Weedeater, AYP, and others are now under the auspices of Husqvarna Power Products.
somebody correct me if I'm wrong,
thanks,

 

Yes, poulan made items start with 358 for sears. When I posted this, I was thinking about how AYP owned poulan, and 917 is the prefix for AYP, so I thought it was poulan made. Maybe not. Roper was also bought by AYP. If the saw starts with 917, it was an old roper saw. They are obsolete and parts are not available for it anymore. Of course, none of that probably matters now as this thread is nearly 6 years old.