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PYM35
V4 Beginner

France
97 Posts

Posted - 18 Jun 2020 :  20:04:41 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Thanks very much Melle ! So if I understand correctly, as long as those marks are aligned, I can reassemble the camshafts without fear ?
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PYM35
V4 Beginner

France
97 Posts

Posted - 18 Jun 2020 :  20:32:35 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Forget what I just wrote Melle, just a misunderstanding from my side. Sorry !
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christophe
V4 Fanatic

France
224 Posts

Posted - 19 Jun 2020 :  13:32:53 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Hello Pierre-Yves,
I just saw your recent post. Glad to see the progress. Yes, I think you misunderstood something as you don't have to touch the camshaft to work on the cylinder heads. You just have to set the valve lash after torquing the heads. Don't forget that you have to turn the balance shaft anticlockwise to do this properly. Feel free to phone if needed: 06 31 02 31 64.
Nice weekend to all.
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melle
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
3830 Posts

Posted - 19 Jun 2020 :  16:49:39 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Ah, a little confusion there indeed. Not to worry, we'll get there!

www.saabv4.com
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PYM35
V4 Beginner

France
97 Posts

Posted - 27 Jun 2020 :  09:56:01 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Hello All, hello Christophe,
Sorry for the late reply. Many thanks for giving me your mobile number, for sure I will ring you if I have any doubt.
Have a nice weekend all.
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PYM35
V4 Beginner

France
97 Posts

Posted - 05 Jul 2020 :  12:36:37 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Hi Guys,
Ok, next monday was spent rebuilding the engine. Heads were clean, valves relapped, surfacing made (1/10 deformation was noticed). It took me 6 hours to reassemble all the parts together. The car started at first attempt. After fixing all the leaks this and there, I made the draining of water. All went well, everything seems to work fine and seems to be at its place. Next step will be a road test but I can't for the moment, as the car has no licence plates.
Thanks all for your advices.
Best Regards.
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christophe
V4 Fanatic

France
224 Posts

Posted - 07 Jul 2020 :  16:03:18 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Glad to know your car is now reassembled. I assume you are trying to get "collection" papers. It took me two months to get the FFVE paper, then another month for my title, but this was before the Covid...
Nice day to all.
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PYM35
V4 Beginner

France
97 Posts

Posted - 07 Jul 2020 :  20:01:20 Show Profile Reply with Quote
That's right Christophe. I received today the text message telling me that my dossier was registered at FFVE. Now, another 3 weeks waiting. And 3 weeks more to get the car licenced in France. Too bad, I was expecting a nice drive on the coast in summer. Next year, obviously.
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christophe
V4 Fanatic

France
224 Posts

Posted - 07 Jul 2020 :  23:36:32 Show Profile Reply with Quote
If everything goes well, you might be able to enjoy your car in September. I almost drive mine daily right now and it is obvious that the current temperatures are not it's cup of tea unless on open roads. While crossing the town this afternoon, I had to put the heater on to stabilize the temp at a reasonable level.
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melle
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
3830 Posts

Posted - 07 Jul 2020 :  23:56:23 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Make sure the rad and overflow bottle caps seal properly, they often don't (a local plumbers merchant will have a rubber washer to solve the problem). I'm hardly getting a chance to drive V4s these days, but I used to drive them long and hard and sat in heavy traffic a lot too, and I've never had cooling issues apart from when a cap started leaking and when a head gasket blew.

www.saabv4.com
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christophe
V4 Fanatic

France
224 Posts

Posted - 08 Jul 2020 :  10:21:31 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Thanks for the advice, Melle. I check the coolant level every day. I did not loss a drop of it so far, so my system seems to be airtight. I noticed two things. When the engine is really hot, the coolant level goes from normal to the maxi; also, when you shut the engine, its temperature continue to rise. Finally, I took the habit of opening the bonnet after each "hot session" to cool the engine more quickly.
Nice day to all.
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melle
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
3830 Posts

Posted - 08 Jul 2020 :  11:02:08 Show Profile Reply with Quote
My car didn't lose coolant either, but the system wouldn't effectively pressurise, which lowers the boiling point.

www.saabv4.com
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christophe
V4 Fanatic

France
224 Posts

Posted - 08 Jul 2020 :  13:35:43 Show Profile Reply with Quote
No, my system is keeping all the pressure as intended. My coolant recovery cap is an RC12 - 10PSI model but I don't know if it is the right one for this car. I will have to check this. I might even take the Evans route as I intended to test it.
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melle
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
3830 Posts

Posted - 08 Jul 2020 :  13:54:50 Show Profile Reply with Quote
I always use 83 degree thermostats (standard is 88 or 89); opinions vary if the stat opening a little earlier keeps the temperature down overall, but it works for me. I have no experience with Evans, but I personally think it's a waste of money as I've always found regular coolant to be adequate. Of course that's just my opinion (keep in mind I'm a tight Dutchman!), and I'm interested to hear your experience if you're to try it out.

Also worth checking the ignition timing and AFR when an engine is running hotter than desirable.

www.saabv4.com
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christophe
V4 Fanatic

France
224 Posts

Posted - 08 Jul 2020 :  14:46:25 Show Profile Reply with Quote
I have not checked the thermostat yet. Well, it works but I do not know its operating temperature. The infrared thermometer is in the boot as I like to monitor the temp of the gearbox (it whines a little, especially on 2nd gear), so I will use it for the thermostat too. A friend tried Evans coolant in his Traction Avant cabriolet and had nothing but praise about it. In a nutshell: no boiling = no loss of coolant = no overheating engine = no blown head gasket. Ignition timing is spot on and I never run on lean mixture. By the way, I am currently sipping a Ciney beer! So, you are a CASO (Cheap Ass Saab Owner)? Don't worry, this happens to nice people too! Of course, I am just joking. This is just a nod to the Studebaker Drivers Club where I belong too and where the Cheap Ass Studebaker Owner originated.

Edited by - christophe on 08 Jul 2020 19:33:28
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