[NorsemanOBN]

I am very new to 1969 Saab Sonett ownership and have sme questions which I hope can be answered by knowledgable members of this forum.
I am awaiting brake pads and caliper seal kits but wanted to run the engine periodically to keep the battery charged and everything lubricated.
I checked the timing and it was very far advanced above 6 degrees BTDC. I will use Jack Ashcraft's timing methd when I can someone to help.
Question 1 With the car up on jack stands and the front wheels removed and pads removed from calipers with the trans in neutral and engine idling at 800-1000rpm the front axles rotate. I can easily stop one axle at a time from turning with my hand. Is this normal?
When I place the transmission in freewheel in this same situation the engine races up to about 3000RPM !
I obviously don't let it rev this high for long but I am curious why this happens.
The transmission shifts nicely through the gears and the clutch seems to work fine. I have never driven the car with the freewheel engaged. Thanks for any help you might offer.

 

[Joshinator99]

If you’ve got Jack Ashcraft’s books, you know he’s no fan of the freewheel mechanism with V4 applications and I agree. Installing the lockout sleeve is the bare minimum you should do….

 

[NorsemanOBN]

If you’ve got Jack Ashcraft’s books, you know he’s no fan of the freewheel mechanism with V4 applications and I agree. Installing the lockout sleeve is the bare minimum you should do….

I don't intend to use the free wheel but I am curious about the high idle revs when engaged. I had freewheel on my 1947 Packard and it was an interesting device but much more robust than the Saab I guess.

 

[Joshinator99]

I don't intend to use the free wheel but I am curious about the high idle revs when engaged. I had freewheel on my 1947 Packard and it was an interesting device but much more robust than the Saab I guess.

I agree, that is quite odd. To the best of my recollection, the freewheel lever only goes to the gearbox. So if there’s no connection to the engine, why the change in idle speed? So weird!

 

[NorsemanOBN]

Very strange indeed! I can't figure it out. The timing is right, the carb idle is adjusted , and the throttle linkage is working. The engine does not appear to be under any load when the FW is locked out. I will look tomorrow to see whether there is an interference bewteen the lock out cable and the gas pedal linkage although I didn't notice any movement in the throttle linkage when I manually move the FW . Interesting for sure.