VSAAB -- The Vintage SAAB Mailing List
Date: Sat, 29 Apr 2000 01:12:11 -0400
From: "nickmir" <nickmir@gateway.net>
Subject: West of Sweden SAAB/ Above and beyond

About 2 months ago , I found West of Sweden on the internet. Since then,
I've bought the Mod 96 shop manual, rebuild kits, and a gasket set from Chip
Lamb. I also purchased a Weber Carb from W.O.S. When I started restoring
my 96, I told Chip that my only experience with old cars was with VW's.
Chip told me that the Weber carb was a bolt on installation, with minor mods.

When I received the Weber in the mail, I told Chip that I didn't think the carb
would fit. After Chip talked me through the installation, (and some of my
questions were really basic, like, what's a PVC valve) I discovered that my
stock air cleaner wouldn't fit. Now, I know that with old imported cars, there's
never an absolute, (i.e., this part is on this year, and this year only) and who
knows what previous owners have done, and even though Chip told me
that my stock air cleaner would fit, it just DOESN'T FIT.

Frankly, I was embarrassed to keep pestering Chip on this matter, and I
posted a message on VSAAB for advice. When Chip read my posting, he
sent me an air cleaner free of charge. I never asked him for one, and I did
not expect him to do this. I can't see NAPA, Pep Boys, or any other parts
house doing this. I just thought that fellow VSAABer's should know what
an asset Chip Lamb is to our hobby.

Kent
nickmir@gateway.net
1967 Mod 96

>You [West of Sweden SAAB] also collect the $130, I have been a mechanic for over 40 years and I
>only replaced a pressure plate when it showed signs of wear.

But that's the mechanic's view of the world.

It is to a mechanics benefit NOT to replace the clutch when the motor is
already out (about a seven hour service bill), because then the mechanic
gets to charge for service AGAIN in a few months, when the clutch finally
goes!

>Most pressure
>plates will last well over 100,00 miles so like I said why do you
>replace.

Because both the springs and the fingers become worn.

In general manufacturers used the softest possible springs, because
otherwise customers complained that the clutch was too stiff (interferes
with the process of atrophy, I guess). The clutch is holding with minimum
force. when the springs begin to get tired, the clutch really doesn't hold
on hills or during interesting driving.

Wear on the clutch fingers is not visible, so you don't KNOW about this
until you've already disassembled the clutch to replace the springs.

The easiest course is to install a new or properly rebuilt pressure plate
and clutch disk as a matter of course, if the motor is already out.

>Well we got the answer you are in the business of selling parts.

The parts cost are marginal. The actually valuable thing --- is the
consultation time.

For example, a Saab MECHANIC replaced the auto transmission in my aged
mother's 900, to fix a problem that it somehow still had after the
transmission was replaced. The Saab MECHANIC then shrugged his shoulders
and said that he wasn't responsible for "such an old car" as an '88. My
mom, after paying once, couldn't afford to pay twice. A dealership also
couldn't find the problem, and could only suggest changing the transmission
again...

Chip made a single adjustment to some cable coming out of the transmission
and attaching to the throttle, and the car's been fine ever since.

Cheers
Rob
1968 SAAB 96 V4 PRO Rally Car