[KkVaidya]

Originally Posted by ilangop

Hi Vaidya, Did you happen to test the light spread with the new setup. Is the installation straight forward? How much is the wattage of the bulbs used now? Is that a P45T or P43T bulb inside?
-Ilango

The spread is satisfactory. Just that the parking lamp is not there as the OE lamp had it integrated inside the main unit. But nothing to crib about. I find it gives a better spread without that parking lamp insert.

Installation required the mounting bezel from the Maruti 800 that needs to be drilled in place of the original bezel.
I am running on 60/55W P45t bulbs.

[Scarlet_Rider]

Originally Posted by KkVaidya

Had been planning since long but finally changed the OE headlamps to rounded corner headlamps from Maruti 800 - type 2.

Looks nice! If possible do post pics of the spread in low and high beams. How do you find them compared to the original ones?

Originally Posted by ilangop

As we removed the old gearbox...

How is the testing going on with the new 5 speed gearbox?

[ilangop]

The long wait was over and brought the vehicle off the jack after a final inspection of all fasteners, electrical connections & fluid levels. When I was all set for the road trial I was surprised by my wife that she wanted to join me for the trial. I was happy for the confidence she had on me. So me, wife and our 5 year old daughter went for a 5 km long drive near the Chennai airport road. That is one small stretch where there is enough space to slot in the 5th gear.
Once in 5th gear it was a world of difference. At 70kmph the engine was still at 2000 rpm and not more than 2500 rpm at 80kmph. It seems like the car is ready to cruise all day long at 90kmph with the engine still at around 3000 rpm.
During our highway drives I notice that at 90kmph the rpm needle stays near 3500 rpm, while I feel 3000 as an ideal number for sustained cruise. So with the 4 speed box I never cross 80-85 kmph during sustained cruise. Planning a trip to my native town this month end. I will be able to get the fuel economy figures during this trip.
Some capital assets. At the end of every DIY I always end up archiving on some new tools. This time it was the clutch setting tool & a mini grease pump. Used the grease pump to grease the propeller shaft UJs and the steering joints. However I am still hunting for the right grade of grease for the UJs.
The gearbox tunnel was covered with a sticker type insulating material and now the heat felt near the park brake area has drastically reduced. The gear stick was buffed and painted black with spray can and I had installed the new 5 speed gear knob bought off aliexpress long time back while I started dreaming of 5 speed in my car.

[ilangop]

As mentioned in the initial post, the reverse gear switch access hole on the transmission tunnel needed to be shifted.
The attached picture shows the old reverse switch access hole blanked now and painted white, the new location of the hole with the original cover in place and the plate with welded bolt for the gearbox bracket.

[bikertillidie]

It's great to see your 5-speed dreams finally reach fruition .. how does she drive now ?

[KkVaidya]

Originally Posted by ilangop

Once in 5th gear it was a world of difference. At 70kmph the engine was still at 2000 rpm and not more than 2500 rpm at 80kmph. It seems like the car is ready to cruise all day long at 90kmph with the engine still at around 3000 rpm.

This is great work Ilango.
Can you give a comparison if you had recorded the rpm at a given speed in the old 4 speed box versus the new 5 speed box?

[ilangop]

Just wanted to share my experience on how I rescued myself from a clutch cable failure.
While I and a friend took out the car for a casual spin about 2 kms from my home suddenly there was no load felt on the pedal. Surely indicating something wrong with the clutch. Luckily this happened while he was trying to shift gear and the stick was at neutral. He couldn't upshift. I asked him to pull the car the side and we both quickly identified the problem.
We parked and locked the car right there and headed home. From the 100s of metal pieces collected in the screw box I found one that would do my job. An L shaped piece. Drilled a hole big enough for the clutch cable inner to pass through while stopping the outer. Asked my friend to keep the cable pulled so that I could insert the L piece. Adjusted the clutch free play and reached home safe.
Placed an order for the clutch cable as I couldn't find it from any source close by and installed it too. All ok now.

[ilangop]

Originally Posted by KkVaidya

This is great work Ilango.
Can you give a comparison if you had recorded the rpm at a given speed in the old 4 speed box versus the new 5 speed box?

Hi All,
With my employer offering work from home and daughter exempted from her annual exam due to Corona Pandemic we decided to travel to my parents place and stay there for a while until things fall in place. Started off our journey from Chennai to Trichy ay 7:30 AM on Saturday and reached my parent's home at 12:40. The car was in 5th gear for most part of the journey. The 4th gear ratio in the Premier 118NE gearbox and this new one is 1:1. While the 5th gear ratio is 0.821 as per the datsun 1200 forum. I was able to record the vehicle speed and engine speed in the video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qEifDjA69M

As I slot in the 5th gear we can see the engine rpm drop and the car feels relaxed at higher speed. Previously I used to keep 80-85 kmph on highways as I wouldn't want the engine to revv hard. Now I am able to cruise at 100 - 110Kmph with the same engine speed range.

Though started off with a full tank I am yet to assess the fuel economy as I haven't filled it back. Will keep you guys posted while I fill in fuel again. Overall I am totally satisfied with this mod, and regret PAL didn't think of this for their customers even after seeing Esteem and HM Isuzu powertrains with 5 speed boxes.

[Torq]

A blast from the past!
Taken circa 1997-99 in varandh ghat, near Bhor, Pune.
Have very fond memories of this majestic sedan from my childhood. We used to travel a lot. For logistical reasons, dad had it converted to LPG, with domestic gas cylinder being used.
Imagine this, with a ~200-250₹ cylinder, this car used to go 350-400 kms at a single stretch. We had bought this as a payment against past dues from an individual. Had it for almost 8 years. During her last few years she developed a lot of issues, with maintainence getting too expensive.
Sadly due to rust issues, RTO registration issues, dad had to let this go.

P. S. Dad sold it in scrap. I was so so miffed about it then

[KkVaidya]

Found these useful instructions for converting from the Hitachi DCG306 carburetor to Mikuni along with a picture of the Spacer required for this conversion.

[Cessna182]

A good review of the 1.38 D. It feels refreshijg to see a reasonably well maintained model. Lots of interior pieces have been replaced possibly due to lack of parts, but the car retains its original engine, gearbox, suspension and character.

The wheels and mirrors are quite out of place though. I don't know the video creator, but this variant was not related to the Padmini. It was called the 1.38D. But I am really glad that someone took the pain to create a video about this car, hence the minor factual inaccuracies can be forgiven.

https://youtu.be/TFlqPGg-JU4

[ilangop]

As many are aware, PAL decided to go with Mikuni carburettor system with electronic fuel pump post 1995, my car is one such species. With 1.15L kms on the odo I had planned a 370km long trip from my home town to in-law's place. We started off at around 12:30 PM and the drive on the NH is for 280kms and then detour to a SH. As we passed by a village and it was 6:30 PM the engine died out suddenly. Tried cranking a few times, engine would sputter and die again. I was assured it cannot be a problem with the carburettor as I had cleaned it a month ago. Checked for spark and it looked good. Pulled out the fuel inlet pipe and could see no fuel coming out. I realized that the electronic fuel pump had broken down after serving for good 25 years and 1.15L kms.

I was with my family and in laws. The village where we got stranded comes to a halt by 8PM and nearest spare parts shop was at least 30 kms either ways. So I thought of improvising some idea such that I could carry a can of fuel in the cabin and could gravity feed and drive away. As I was collecting materials for the same, my FIL turned against placing fuel can into the cabin and has to drop the idea. So we parked the vehicle in custody of a shop nearby and left the place by a taxi.

The next day I purchased a new pump and some long hoses and headed back to the village (a 45km ride on a two wheeler). Plan A was to place the pump temporarily in the trunk and plumb it retaining the original pump. To remove the old pump I need to get under the car. My intention was to start the car and bring it back home as soon as possible. Luckily this idea worked out and brought the car home. The pump I bought was V-Tech make and had paid 1300 Rs. Had no choice to search around for more options or negotiate as this was the only auto parts shop at my in-law's place.

Why Murphy was watching? - I always had the practice of carrying a spare electronic fuel pump while I travelled outside the city. This was the first time I didn’t carry it and the pump broke down. LOL.

[ilangop]

Hi folks,
Just wanted to share that the window garnish beading of a Tata Ace suits perfectly in a 118NE. Though it didn't bear a Metal cladding, it did serve the purpose at a lesser price. Could be used as an interim option if you are hunting for this beading at an acceptable budget.
- Ilango

[Dee_aRe_Cee]

https://youtu.be/xpJALSl7Fek

A friend of mine recently picked up this NE118, thought we'd do a walk around and talk about the car before we started with modding it.

[inderpalgill]

Dear Friends,
Need your help I just wanted to know where is the chassis number punched in 118 NE, any clue and if possible pictures will be highly appreciated
Thanks
Gill