1973 Saab 96 V4 - My Latest save.

[madwelshman]

Hey everyone,
I've been on here for quite a long time now but until now, only commented on other peoples threads and put on a couple of Wanted ads.
Anyway, I'm a HUGE classic Saab fan and currently own 6, 5 of them being 99's and now, a 96 as well.

This car was laid up/dry stored back in 1980 and hadn't moved until I attached a rope to it and dragged it out into the daylight a few weeks ago.

Here's a few pics as found and dragged out/loaded up.

[madwelshman]

Gave the car the obligatory jet wash off to get a better idea of what's what.
13-14yrs of dust blasted off and, it looked like this.

[jpsmit]

Looks like a very solid start! I am envious of these kinds of barn finds (though SWMBO would certainly kill me if I brought another car home!)

Well found!

[madwelshman]

I know what you mean, my very own SWMBO wasn't overly 'enthusiastic' when I said, by the way honey, I'm picking up Another SAAB this weekend.
The car was advertised on the Saab owners club website. I contacted the owner, he sent me loads of pics and told me what he wanted for it.
It's not in bad condition, all the important areas are solid/solid enough.
I've had a new battery on it and checked to see what works and what doesn't. Pretty much everything electrical works and, the engine turns over as too. No spark though, so didn't attempt to start it. I'll leave that for another day.
Just gotta keep an eye out for some spares for it now, maybe even a parts car, all depends how far away it is.

Will

[madwelshman]

Well, connected a charged battery the other day to see what electrics were still 'alive'.
After a short delay, the ignition lights came on, 'Good start' I thought. Lets try some lights and other things. Mmm, ignition lights gone off.
Check all fuses (only 12 in total) and connections on the fuse box. Check earth connection. Try again, same result :-(
Checked starter motor and found the main battery lead
was loose. Tightened that up, Feeling confident now!! Ignition on, bingo. Side lights? YES!! 3 out of 4 ain't bad. Headlights (ignition lights still on), Wipers? Ooh, that motor doesn't sound so good. Strip wiper motor, lubricate, rebuild, test. Yippee!! NEXT!
Demister fan. Mmm, nice squeak/screech. Strip, lubricate, re-fit. Ah, all quiet and working fine.
'Now, will the engine turn over'. Fuel pipe disconnected (Petrol's 34 years old!). Plugs out, diesel & WD40 mix into cylinder bores, dip the oil, Nice clean oil and on the mark as well. Right, moment of truth, lets turn the key.
Ignition and . . . . . starter. Engine turns over a little slower a first, but slowly gains speed. No nasty noises and when the key is released from start position, the oils pressure light comes back on about a second later, so there's oil pressure.
Have ordered points and condenser, carb removed for strip and clean. Once the bits arrive and I get another chance to fiddle with the car I'll put the ignition bits and carb back on, give it a separate fuel supply and see what happens.