Rebuilding An 80s Saab Engine And Gearbox | Saab 900 Classic Revival | Part 13 

This engine could as well be now sitting at a Saab museum RIP SAAB [*]

Watching you dismantle and reassemble the SAAB engine has given me a new appreciation for its design. The engine sits on a literal gear box, driving through chains at one end, into a gear set which doesn't use all the space in the "box". The "box" has almost flat access covers, neat. Then integral with the "box" is the differential which also is removed easily through an opening in the end of the "box". Overall a compact, accessible engine, gearbox, diff combination. Beautiful design.

I was driving around yesterday thinking about my own Saab repairs which made me remember your videos and how much I enjoyed watching them. I hope you're doing well.

Very nice job! And very slick editing skills too, M539 Restorations will be proud! 👍🇬🇧

Magnificent rebuilt mate! It seemed like we were waiting for ages, but it was well worth it. Can't wait till you slip that into the old girl and we all hear her running!

Can't wait to hear this engine run. Being from Sweden and a lot older than you it's really nostalgic and nice to see you restore a car from my youth. Been around since the Volvo and I still think this is one of the best car channels on RU-vid. Cheers mate. 🍻🥰

You are a certified Belgian legend, Sir! God bless you!

AHHHHHHH A 900! My first car was a 1986 900 SPG with the boost cranked up and bigger injectors. Good memories and good times.

This is the vid i needed to see, now i want to do my gearbox, im not a mechanic but nobody ever shows all the steps and explains the process, Bravo, Very Well Done!!!!😊

I said "wow" several times... what an engine!!!

Very nice job. I am reminded that using a cordless driver for all the nuts and bolts is a godsend. I recall with some misery the time it took to do all that stuff up with simple hand tools in my youth. All that time I spent will never be returned.

That was an awesome build. You actually heard the compression when you spun the engine by hand. Nice to have help from dad too. Beautiful job. Always a pleasure to follow you. Keep up the great work. 😊

Memphis, that is one heck of a nice looking engine and gearbox. I am glad that you stepped outside of your comfort zone to do this project. It shows that you are growing both as a person and as a RU-vidr. Keep up the very entertaining content.

Excellent rebuild on the engine. You didn't mention if the piston rings had been changed or not. Seemed like ages since the last video but well worth the wait. So good to see a young chap undertaking such a task in a professional way. Very well done.

My goodness you’re clever! That engine looks better than when it left the factory. I love your attention to detail, resilience when things don’t go quite right, perpetual positivity and humour. You’re not like any mechanic I know here in the UK 🤓. Brilliant video Memphis, keep up your awesome work 💪👌👏

Fantastic job done properly. I can't wait to hear it going again.

Shout out from South Africa. Been watching your videos for a few years now and your builds are so satisfying and relaxing to watch. Keep it up.

Basically the Saab 900 is my dream car

Amazing! What a result. Now I'm looking at my 900 and thinking could I do that? You make it look incredibly simple but really worth the effort. Very much looking forward to the brakes and suspension.

Best video in the SAAB segment yet!

What a beautiful result when it was finished. Well done man, I was glued to the screen :)

This is what great content about cars looks like

Wow, did not expect the engine to get to mint condition! Cool.

You deserve positive comments, great video and tool skills

I watch Memphis videos, when I’m overwhelmed or tired, because it’s so relaxing. Great job with the rebuild and with the quality of your videos. Keep it up mate! ;)

Loving the videos. Just recently bought back into the classic 900 Saab family here in Australia so these have been really informative. Keep up the great work, awesome stuff!

Really great work. It made my palms a little sweaty to see the chain just sitting there - memories of building my 9-5 Aero B235R engine - I was always terrified it'd drop into the timing cover and get tangled up so I never let it sit without a bit of wire through the links to hold it in place. Suffice to say I was happy to see your cam sprocket go on! Looking forward to a successful first start. I have an '87 900 Aero I am at the beginning of restoring - your channel is a great reference and inspiration to keep going.

So cool, I still see these saabs on roads and they are nice :)

Great rebuild. Looking forward to hearing it run.

Following your involvement with this old SAAB with great admiration. You have to go to Sweden for some car meet when your project has reached its goal.

Hi Memphis......we both went "WOW" At the same time when you were rebuilding the gearbox 😂😂😂

Wonderful job. It's a beauty. It is so clean, you could put it in the living room.

And now a word from our sponsor, Jupiler.

The engine turned out really nice. I think you should part the SAAB on the valve cover the same as the block. Something to make it pop. Thanks for sharing your journey.

Hi Pal. Great video, thanks. I look forward to watching them. Take care 👍

Hi Memphis, You made my day 👍 Just go on soon…

Lovely job and the Civic comment was epic. Keep up the god work!

As someone who will very shortly do a rebuild of a 900 engine and gearbox, this is amazing.

I can't wait to hear that engine fire up

next time when you rebuild cylinder head, to seat the spring locks use some assembly grease to stick them to the valve. Also, after you seat them it is recommended to hit it one time with a hummer an some socket to make sure locks are seated properly.

Get some JB weld around the corroded pipe flange and sand it smooth 24 hours later. Doesnt look like it will seal otherwise. Fantastic work 😊

Big piece of good work. It's good to see someone with such a passion for cars.

Alright Memphis! LFG!

Finally!! I've been waiting so long for this episode!

Yeah, been waiting for this! We should do a collab, got enough broken vehicles myself haha

Beautiful job Memphis!!! Looks like a really pro job. Great progress and waiting for the bit of the rebuild.

I recommend replacing all the pressed-steel core plugs on the block while it's out. They look fine on the outside but they could be rusty and ready to start leaking on the back side.

This build's theme is called "perfection".

Outstanding and very well edited. Perfection!

19:20 - I always been a big Honda fan, but the Civic statement made me lol big time! 😂

That was excellent, I’m very impressed and happy with the decisions you made. If I’m being SUPER knit picky I would have liked to see how you setup those timing marks, like how you knew the pistons & valves were set right before putting the chain on, etc. But fantastic stuff man. Thanks again for making such an awesome video.

First class work mate! Somehow YT didn't show me this video and I only just thought to check before watching your new video tonight.

Wow! Your work is amazing man! It comes out like new 😍👌🏻 As a Swede I must thank you for saving a legend 🙏🏻🇸🇪

Really nice! the thing your removed but didn't know what was, I believe it to be the inlet for an engine heater unit, so you could pre-heat your engine on cold days to lessen the effects of heat cycles on the block :D Also, it would mean that the car was warm when you wanted to drive

She looks great!!! Don’t forget the oil!

I just love a clean and rebuilt engine going into a refurbished engine bay

I always love to watch your struggle with old fart like this Saab

This was satisfying to watch! Like your jokes too.

I would change the thermostat housing or at least, tig refill it and lathe turn it, same for the metal sorrounding the coolant passages. Sweet rebuild dude

If you want a faster oil prime when starting the engine pack the oil pump with grease when installing it.

Well done buddy, great job 👏 can't wait to hear this bad boy

Very nice job, sir. Small suggestion for you: Being that your water neck is pretty heavily pitted, it might be in your best interest to coat it in some JB Weld or similar epoxy and sand it smooth so the pits get filled and eliminate the possibility of a coolant leak. Looking forward to more videos and seeing this thing rip!

You could put that 16v head on that 8v block.

Great work Memphis

Really impressed. I never bother to like or subscribe, but today I have. So good to see someone doing things carefully, thoroughly & properly.

Looking forward to seeing your Saab on the road! Keep us updated with that Civic you got in the garage lol.

Very Impressive..It looked easy on RU-vid put I know it took quite an effort to get a result like this. Can't wait to see the full complete of this project.

Awesome Job 👌 the result is amazing. Can't wait for the next Video. Greetings 👋

Really nice job Memphis, this channel is getting better and better every video.

A fantastic result, it was so enjoyable watching the engine / gearbox build. There's nothing better than turning grimy parts into shiny items. Very satisfying. Well done.

Absolutely lol’d at the civic joke. Amazing rebuild! Love the series and your commitment to the car

Sensational! It's not a robust mechanic, but it's not complex either. I found it all very simple. Congratulations!

Excellent video Memphis, near enough a step by step guide for what I also need to undertake, I'm at the stage of 'if its not broken don't fix it' 😅🤞 Awesome seeing old skool mechanical disassemble, clean and rebuild, especially the finished product, it will look perfect in the finished car. 👌👍

Engines have to be used, if they are used and maintained by changing the oil regularly they usually never rust, this things is why when a car is stoped for a couple of years, you start it and it has issues that it didnt before. Combustion engines have to be used for them to be reliable. This is gonna be an amazing machine when its finished. Good job.

Memphis!!!! This was amazing. My first video watching again after being away for a while during the Greta restro... I used to have a SAAB 900 and I loved it and all the strangeness about the car and layout. How the engine was 180 degrees mounted, sat on top of the transmission, and had the flywheel facing the rear of the car! WTF?!?!?!! I would be curious to discuss with you further, quite seriously, about an internship (self-funded) to learn about working more on Swedish cars. I currently own a 2023 Volvo S90. My first car I bought was a 1981 Volvo 240DL. Second car was a 1984 Peugeot 505 STi TurboDiesel. Third was a 1985 Volvo 240 GL. Then the SAAB 900.... then lost track, left the US and when I returned to the US, my father got me a 2013 Volvo S60. I got it in July of 2020. I totaled it in November of 2020! Insurance and bank of dad got me another 2013 Volvo S60 in December. Come April 2021 I trade in the S60 and get a 2018 Volvo S90... I like the Swedes!

Hello from Sweden. Nice work 👍🏆

Great work. I am envious of your attention to detail

It sure does look nice, good work! Can't wait to see it in the engine bay!

Fantastic job! Your videos are very therapeutic and I am thoroughly enjoying this Saab series

Great stuff Memphis!!! Giving me big inspiration for my 20vT engine rebuild

So glad you could do it !! Outstanding job, still with your quietness.

Good job mate. Really enjoyed watching that video.

Great video, yet again. We'll done, you're doing this car proud.

Well done…great job fella!!!

Excellent work.

GG Memphis! Awesome!!

My biggest respect! Really looking forward to see the engine running again :)

Well done!

Excellent work. I got a 16 valve turbo, and it probably will need something like this too. But as always with old cars there is tons to do.

I have my 350k km Saab 900 convertible 16v soft turbo in dry storage, you are inspiring me to getting started .

Awsome job men!!!! Greetings from NY

Great work! And thanks for the addresses, they might come in handy while working on my E30 318is. :)

Very very very nice job!!!!

I open the video and saw 45 minutes... Yes!

This Dude Stays in BEAST MODE! I'm currently having total engine & gearbox redone on my 93 900 turbo convert. But no way am I tackling it myself. I'm paying the shop. lol...

Beautiful job!

Beautiful work! Oh, and thanks for all the editing effort of all those little torque wrench mini-montages; strangely satisfying to watch!!

Great work! You did that really fast to be honest - your last episode doesn’t seem that long ago and you managed a great edit on top! Hat goes off to you sir!

Great Work. Your videos are so professional, and your presentation is coming on in leaps and bounds. Tight editing means no wasted footage, and you achieve what you set out to do. Always look forward to your posts. Keep up the good work.

Fantastic 👏 great rebuild!