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T O P I C    R E V I E W
christophePosted - 27 Aug 2019 : 13:56:03
Hello there,
I just brought back to France a 1979 Saab 96 I found in Belgium. I had to deal with some minor engine issues that prompted me to take the cylinder heads off. Upon examination, it appears my engine is not original to the car. These later models are supposed to have the 1,5L engine with a double choke Solex carburetor. My engine is a 1,7L version (with a 1mm overbore) equipped with the little Fomoco carb. Besides, one of the cylinder head dates back to 1977, the other one was cast in 1980 and my inlet manifold is a 1976 model!
While searching on this Forum, I came across some information about reconditioned engines with an additional serial number (or date code?) stamped near the original one. I’d like to ascertain the model year of my engine block and thought someone here could shed some light on all this. The original serial number is TJ 12350. The extra stampings are MX B and 6M10.
On the other hand, it would be very interesting too if somebody could indicate me where the date code of the cylinder block is to be found.
I took the liberty to post this here as Saab 96 are pretty scarce cars in France, and the info about them too.
Nice day to all.
Christophe

15   L A T E S T    R E P L I E S    (Newest First)
christophePosted - 01 Sep 2019 : 18:23:41
Finally, everything went OK once I had removed the alternator. I just had to use a new bolt to replace the stripped one. The engine is almost ready to run. I still have to align the front silencer. It was badly out of alignment and banging the body. By the way, it is a real PITA to put back the exhaust in place alone.
mellePosted - 01 Sep 2019 : 00:00:27
The mounting points for the brackets are identical on Saab and Ford engines, Ford just used different brackets on most models.

www.saabv4.com
christophePosted - 31 Aug 2019 : 23:22:59
Yes, it did fit. But I noticed that the bottom bolt was in very bad shape. It's thread looks like it had been screwed into the support instead of being pushed. My car is equipped with the 55 amperes alternator, so I assume they used the old bracket onto the Ford engine. This might explain the trouble. Hopefully, I will give you additional information about this tomorrow.
Good night, mon ami.
Christophe.
mellePosted - 31 Aug 2019 : 22:06:36
quote:
Originally posted by christophe
I also noticed that the holes of the alternator support did not align well. Is this considered as normal after milling the head?
Did it fit OK before? If so, the long straight or sometimes curved (different types have been used) bracket is probably upside down or back to front. If Saab bracketery has been used that is; Ford used several different types for different applications and also Saab changed the design slightly over the years.

No rush with the scanning mon ami!

www.saabv4.com
christophePosted - 31 Aug 2019 : 21:57:21
This will take some time as I'm currently on holidays but I'll try this as soon as I get back to the office.Today, I put back the carb on the engine after fabricating a new choke rod to replace the piece of wire I found. I also noticed that the holes of the alternator support did not align well. Is this considered as normal after milling the head?
mellePosted - 31 Aug 2019 : 15:16:54
That'd be awesome!

www.saabv4.com
christophePosted - 31 Aug 2019 : 15:13:35
I'll try to scan it at my office. It seems to be a 71-72 version translated (strangely, sometimes!) from the English version.
mellePosted - 30 Aug 2019 : 23:12:37
French version of the official workshop manual would be great for my site, but I appreciate it's a lot of work to scan if you don't have an auto feed scanner.

www.saabv4.com
christophePosted - 30 Aug 2019 : 22:50:36
Thank you for your offer. I already have the French version of the Saab shop manual and the Haynes manual. I might also have this one already. I have to check this.
mellePosted - 30 Aug 2019 : 17:01:33
Bonjour, I have this one, which has a pretty good section on the engine (my French is quite poor though!):



Happy to scan the relevant parts if any use. For my website I'm mainly interested in factory manuals.

www.saabv4.com
christophePosted - 30 Aug 2019 : 16:39:37
Of course, no problem.
I'll let you know what I find. Apparently, one these two could do the trick.
mellePosted - 30 Aug 2019 : 15:56:20
If you find one and you're willing to scan it, I'd be interested in having it on my site.

www.saabv4.com
christophePosted - 30 Aug 2019 : 15:49:29
Thank you, Melle. I've already downloaded this one and it's been a great help as it deals with later models. There seem to be slight differences between the Saab and the Transit in regard of the carb and the distributor. This might be overkill but I really like to know what parts I have on my car. Besides, the Transit has not a lot a followers in France and the manual won't cost more than a few euros.
mellePosted - 30 Aug 2019 : 15:17:43
Why would you need a Transit manual? Download the Saab factory manual from my website (http://www.saabv4.com/index.php/saab-factory-manuals/saab-v4-factory-workshop-manual-english/) and you should be golden.

There were several differences between Saab and Ford engines, but as far as they're applicable to your engine they've all been ironed out already, or the engine wouldn't fit your car. The most obvious that spring to mind are a "reversed" sump and shorter oil pick up pipe on some models, spigot needle bearing instead off oilite bush, flywheel/ clutch assy, engine mounts and air filter housing on some models. I've written an article on converting Ford engines for Saabs in Dutch years ago and I still mean to translate it to English and upload it to my website.

www.saabv4.com
christophePosted - 30 Aug 2019 : 13:09:52
Apart from the sleuth work that I like a LOT, I am also motivated by avoiding any mistakes. These engines did not had a lot of modifications but trying to do the right job in conjunction with the wrong shop manual might prove trying. Well, now, I have to find a Ford Transit shop manual…
My engine just waits for its carb to be fired up again. Hopefully, this will happen during this Week-end.
Here are the codes I found. Of course, I'll try to find the missing ones.

Year (letter) Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
1968 (H) HL HY HS HT
1969 (J) JC JK JD JE
1970 (k) KB KR KA KG
1971 (L) LJ LU LM LP
1972 (M) ML MY MS MT
1973 (N) NC NK ND NE
1974 (P) PB PR PA PG
1975 (R) RJ RU RM RP
1976 (S) SE SL SY SS ST
1977 (T)

Happy weekend to everyone, especially to the nerds!

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