>James,
>I think you are talking about the "Free Wheeling Device that Saab
>designed in the mid-60's. It was a very unique piece of technology.
The biggest reason why SAAB used the frewheeling clutch was the 2 cycle
engine employed in these early cars. 2 cycle engines use oil in the gas
(petrol) to lubricate. Consider what a hard, closed throttle deceleration
while in gear would do to a 2 cycle engine. No added fuel, therefore no
added lubrication, while the weight of the car was forcing the engine to
spin at an elevated rpm. Obviously, a major lack of lubrication to the engine.
BTW - from what I have heard, this engine was a blast to drive.
Jack Brooks
1960 TR3A
1988 SAAB 9000S, 4 cycle engine
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