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Re: V4 tranny questions Posted by eric in vermont [Email]  (#2058) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from eric in vermont) on Thu, 27 Nov 2008 14:40:14
In Reply to: Re: V4 tranny questions, David Brodbeck, Thu, 27 Nov 2008 13:00:08 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
Hello David and Happy Thanksgiving!
I have to say, after 30 years with VSaabs, I've never heard it put quite that way- what you said about using the freewheel to minimize transmission wear.
Just so everyone's on the same page, the freewheel was designed into the Saab transmission because of the 2-stroke motor. Without it, the engine provides a braking function to decelerate the car when you let off the gas. However, since you've let off the gas, there is minimal gas/oil mixture coming into the engine, so little lubrication for the moving parts gets to the motor and they tend to wear quickly. Remember, the 2-stroke has no oil sump- it's only lubrication is through the carb, so with your foot off the gas, there is little lubrication. The freewheel solves this problem by eliminating the engine braking. So in reality, it was used to counter engine wear in a 2-stroke, not transmission wear. I suppose there is less transmission wear when you use the freewheel, but that's more of a secondary effect.
The freewheel was carried over to the 95/96/97 4-stroke V-4 motor, and even into the early 99's. The problem is that they do tend to be a weak point in the car. The 2 strokes had what? 38 bhp? And the basic V-4 was rated at 65 bhp. And most of us have increased that amount with better exhaust, heads, carbs, etc. So the freewheel's tend to break! Couple that with people that don't use the freewheel gently along with their tendency to get sticky. One day they go BLAMO! Trust me, I've done it!
Personally, I love the freewheel and think it's part of the quirky Saab heritage. Countless people stop me when I'm driving my VSaab's and the majority ask about the freewheel. My 96 has a good working 6 roller freewheel and I enjoy a long downhill coast! However, my 2 Sonetts have significantly higher horsepower and don't have the freewheel feature. One came with it welded (yuck!) and the other I locked out with a sleeve (the only proper way to do it). There are many people that don't think the freewheel belongs in a 4 stroke VSaab and lock them out. That's just fine by me. However, I'll keep my freewheel in any near stock motor V-4's I have.
eric in vermont
posted by 68.142.5...
, Thu, 27 Nov 2008 14:40:14 <-- Viewing This Message, Fri, 28 Nov 2008 05:17:02
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