Jump to content

I boughted a Saab


Uncle Jimmy

Recommended Posts

Sucking eggs time...............if engine is coming out, I seem to remember those V4 engines have fibre timing wheels....which collapse in time.....steel ones are available.............

They do indeed, as does my Volvo and the 140s, too. Apparently they give prior warning of disintegration; they are available for the V6 Cologne but are a slightly different teeth size so you have to buy the whole set which ain't cheap!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 6 months later...

I had to break the inner grease covers on the driveshafts open and extract the UJs rather than pull the UJs from the box; I'm not sure if they simply pull out or not. I pryed them around a bit but wasn't going to get too heavy handed.

The gearbox is fit to handle the standard 65bhp; the work I'm going to have done to the engine will mean it makes 90, maybe even 100 bhp, so the box will need some mods...That and I needed a better look at the bottom of the scuttle.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I removed the front suspension arms whole, with hubs and driveshafts. The spring compressors I had were too long so I bought some shorter ones. I cranked them up as tight as I dared but still the spring wasn't going to come off the bottom cup.

Stupidly I hadn't realised that the cup and bottom suspension arm are, once the two bolts are removed separate. Then the cup can be slid out and the spring removed.

post-18107-0-47230900-1501370904_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've only ever changed springs on a relatively modern car, the Saab has soft springs but they are very long so they take a lot of winding in. Modern cars are I imagine the opposite, short with a much higher spring rate.

I was considering lowering the Saab a little, changing the driveshaft geometry, problems with tyres binding on the wings and the cost of lowering springs mean I'm going to return to that in the future. Maybe.

post-18107-0-33869600-1501371347_thumb.jpg

post-18107-0-92502000-1501371374_thumb.jpg

post-18107-0-48896800-1501371400_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Looks good.

What's the plan to upgrade the power??

Although the engine ran sweetly enough, as it's out it seemed sensible to at least get unleaded valve seats. I came across a twin choke manifold and then decided to go further. It will have a later 1700cc crank, so a displacement increase of about 200cc, maybe more if I have a rebore, lightweight Pinto pistons, big valves, higher lift cam, lightened fly wheel, big bore exhaust, twin choke carb.

More than that becomes very expensive, you could spend £10k just on the engine...

Doing what I'm planning is a compromise, the gearbox will still need internal strengthening. I'll need to upgrade the shocks and front anti roll bar and look into improving the brakes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2.8 V6. Embrace the understeer.

I have a friend who is an expert on these and has some rare spares. Let me know if you are struggling with anything, parts won't be free but the advice should be.

Thanks! I'm not even going to attempt the engine/gearbox work myself, I know it will be expensive! It will probably be the last car I do a great deal to so I want it to be done right. I will be doing all the welding, painting, running gear and electrical work so I'm not short of jobs, advice gratefully received!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ah, just caught up with this thread, I see you have the V4 engine of doom with the carby in the middle. Just make sure all fuel pipes and connections are hunky-dory otherwise the V fills up with petrol and the whole lot goes whoooomph, blistering all the paint on the bonnet and discolouring your undercrackers.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not as bad as the Lotus twin cam I owned where the pipe between the two Dellortos was made from the brittle, clear pipe, a few have gone up in flames from that bugger leaking. I have a variety of Nikki twin choke carbs I shall be trying eventually so all will be re plumbed. I shall be attempting to get over 100 horses from that V4; I'm looking forward to the day I have it dynoed with all Skylines and Evos.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm enjoying this so far and I think I'll continue to do so. I knew from the get go it was going to be a LOT of toil and dough. I still have back muscles and haven't been banished by the 'community' just yet so I think all will be well for a while. I just feel that the days of being allowed to cover oneself with a layer of oil/grease, smoke tobacco products in public and grin at strangers whilst holding a 2' adjustable spanner are drawing to an end.

Perhaps put some clothes on next time rather than just castrol gtx and pipe :-)
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Look what I have stashed away awaiting resurrection later this year.

post-19075-0-52634600-1501604903_thumb.jpg

At the moment the front wings are both removed and

stripped of paint and primed

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDW4iKQzcK4

This video was taken 9 years ago when I was still using it.

 

This might interest those who think their car is too far gone

Thinking of that yellow Visa.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g97lgTU9ypU

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Look what I have stashed away awaiting resurrection later this year.

attachicon.gifSaab in garage.jpg

At the moment the front wings are both removed and

stripped of paint and primed

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDW4iKQzcK4

This video was taken 9 years ago when I was still using it.

 

This might interest those who think their car is too far gone

Thinking of that yellow Visa.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g97lgTU9ypU

Exellent! A fetching shade of green too; a little earlier than mine? It does have the chrome mirror(s), single circuit brakes?

Do start a thread, any photos of oily bits and weldage will be most appreciated.

I never had an iota of interest in Saabs until last summer, arguably the 96 is a rather drab little car; they grow on you though. Like old Volvos they are very well put together, in an honest, unpretentious way that is the perfect antidote to the fuss and complexity of modern vehicles.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's a 1976 96L.The brakes are dual circuit.I bought it from Graham McDonald who is a specialist in Bromyard, Herefordshire.I used it for 3 years then put it away due to lack of time and money.

The four wings had been replaced and resprayed (not by Graham McDonald) but they microblistered while the car was stored. I've removed the front wings and stripped and primered them.The rears are next then there are about 6 small bits of welding/bodywork to do.Then the screens etc have to be removed the bodywork flatted and ,assuming some money I'm expecting arrives, the car will go for a respray.Then mechanical recommissioning.

Once I start in earnest there will be a thread.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...