On the Citroen SM with 3.0 Liter Maserati engine and 3 speed automatic transmission, it is very important to remember this. If you remove the torque converter for repair, it’s possible when reattaching it to the engine to attach the torque converter to the crankshaft pulley in any one of four positions, only one of which will be correct.

Mounting the torque converter up in the wrong position will cause the timing hole in the bell housing to not line up with the timing mark on the converter housing.

To prevent this from happening, it is very important to set the position of piston No.1 of the motor at TDC . After you do this, position the converter so that the timing mark lines up with the peephole in the bellhousing.

Always remember to check twice and do once.

Take care of those Citroën SM engines they don’t make them anymore!

Later, Denis

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This is just a short reminder to all you Citroën SM lovers out there.

It is extremely important to get in the habit of checking and correcting, if necessary, the tightness of the bolts fastening the differential shaft extension housing to the Citroen SM gear box .

This should be checked after any repair involving removal of the motor, the gear box, the drive shafts or the front suspension units.

The tightening torque is 10.5 to 13.5 m.kg. (76 to 98 ft. lbs.)

Stay safe!

Denis

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Here is a quick tip when setting the dwell on your Citroen Traction Avant 11B, the 11BL, or the 15/6. It also works on your Citroen D Model, both 3 main and 5 main bearing models. You can use it for the Citroen GS and pre 1982 GSA or the Citroen SM as well. It even works for the Citroen CX. For that matter, it works for any Citroen model that you may have that is equipped with a distributor with points.

This method can also be used on any car, truck, or motorcycle out there that has a distributor with points.

Assuming you have set the timing and the gap on the points it is now time to set the Dwell. Here are the steps to follow:

• Remove the distributor cap.

• Remove your spark plugs.

• Pull the coil wire from your Citroen’s coil.

• Make sure your Citroen’s transmission is in neutral.

Now connect up your dwell meter. If you have a Citroen D Model you can use the nice little starter relay that is located on the positive post of the battery.

If you are not setting the dwell on a Citroen D Model, then you want to use a remote starter trigger switch that is available at the same auto parts store that you obtained your dwell meter from.

Now we will assume you have a good starter and a fully charged battery.

Get your favorite small, flat blade screwdriver in hand. Flip on your ignition. So with your Citroen’s ignition on, your favorite small flat blade screwdriver on the points adjusting screw in the distributor and the dwell meter turned on, push the relay or starter trigger button and turn the engine over.

As you will notice with the spark plugs removed, the Citroen engine is able to turn over quite quickly with no compression. In fact it will turn over fast enough for you to see what the dwell is and adjust it very quickly.

So hopefully this little tip will let you adjust your Citroen dwell accurately and in a very short amount of time, without having to turn the engine on and off to take your distributor cap on and off.

Best of luck, and please leave your comments and questions.

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Boy, this is how everyone should get the oil in their Citroëns changed. I think my SM is due. :0)

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To all you people who have been asking about my Citroën collection and which ones are my favorites, here is a tour of my mostly French garage.

It Includes:

1971 DS21 , 1981 GSA Break Special, 1956 Traction Avant Normal 11B, 1973 SM with 5 speed manual 3 liter V6 Maserati engine , Chapron (pedal car :0( ), 1987 CX GTI 2.5 Liter 5 speed, 1991 Peugeot 505 SW8, 1956 Lincoln Continential Mark II, and much, much more…

Hydronumatic Suspension demonstrated. Enjoy.

Denis Foley

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On many Citroën SM’s, the front cover of the air filter assembly can be found distorted sufficiently to permit a partial volume of air to enter the carburetors directly, by-passing the air filter cartridge.

It is possible to correct this by using a strip of foam rubber. To do this:

• Obtain a strip of foam rubber, 1/4 x 1/2 x 15 inches approximately.
• Remove the original seal embedded in the front cover.
• Compress the strip of foam rubber into the seat of the original seal.
• Replace the original seal on top of the foam rubber insert.
• Replace the cover. It will require a little extra effort to replace the clamps, but the original seal being hollow, will have the characteristic of taking up the variation of distortion around the perimeter of the cover.

Note: At the 600 mile inspection, or at each periodic maintenance check, it is ABSOLUTELY IMPERATIVE that this be checked and corrected.

This will keep your Citroën SM from leaking dirty and unfiltered air into the air induction system thus preventing premature wear of your three 42 mm. downdraft Weber Carborators and it’s Maserati engine.

Keep your Citroën SM in prestine condition, they don’t make ‘em any more.

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