[kasli]

Originally Posted by h14

The car was back from Aathinarayan workshop few weeks ago and I was able to drive it on Saturday when I got to Coimbatore. The car drives and behaves better than ever. The steering and gear lever play is gone. Gear shifts are butter smooth, especially the reverse. The ride quality too is better after the change of bushes.

Thanks to Mehul for suggesting me this place

The below is the list of works carried out and the labour charges:

1. Changed complete rubber bushes - 200
2. Changes suspension upper arm bush - 300
3. Phased upper arm shaft - 150
4. Adjusted steering play - 75
5. Adjusted clutch play and fixed one spring - 50
6. Changed gear rod bush - 50
7. Changed differential oil - 250
8. Soldered battery terminal - 60
9. Repaired FL door lock - 50

Total = 1285/-

Cost of spare parts in below images:

Car lined up at the garage today. I just went there as I was not happy with the carb setting. He was happy to check and tune it to my satisfaction.

So now all set and ready to conquer Ooty on Sep15

Is there a rally in Ooty

[h14]

Nope, not a rally. Its just a FIAT meet in there.

[samsag12]

Originally Posted by h14

The car was back from Aathinarayan workshop few weeks ago and I was able to drive it on Saturday when I got to Coimbatore. The car drives and behaves better than ever. The steering and gear lever play is gone. Gear shifts are butter smooth, especially the reverse. The ride quality too is better after the change of bushes.

Thanks to Mehul for suggesting me this place

The below is the list of works carried out and the labour charges:

Attachment 972750

1. Changed complete rubber bushes - 200
2. Changes suspension upper arm bush - 300
3. Phased upper arm shaft - 150
4. Adjusted steering play - 75
5. Adjusted clutch play and fixed one spring - 50
6. Changed gear rod bush - 50
7. Changed differential oil - 250
8. Soldered battery terminal - 60
9. Repaired FL door lock - 50

Total = 1285/-

Nice to see your Fiat getting its much needed attention, man those bills are surely a nostalgia for me. Still very reasonable that too for a Italian model. Otherwise here in Lucknow, i have to shell out a few Rs 500 notes to get a small problem sorted out say changing a accelerator cable and all.
But now i have stopped visiting garage and do most of the things myself including mechanical work.

BTW that workshop pic with Fiats parked in line is surely an epic one.

[h14]

Thanks samsag12! I still believe that I have not spent enough time with my SS :( Waiting for my vacations.

[h14]

So once everything was done, on 21st morning, I gave it a nice shampoo wash and a quick wax job. Was delaying this waxing since I wanted to get all the workshop jobs done as I did not want to take the car back to any workshop after waxing. But that did not happen

At about 11 am I took it our for a drive and while coming back, I noticed that the temperature reached the half-way mark which was not normal. By this time, I almost reached home and once I parked it inside, the temperature shot up a little over the half mark.

I then immideately opened the hood and found coolant to have leaked, the radiator was not hot which indicated that it was almost out of water and carefully removed the cap and my guess was right, the radiator was empty.

I then filled up water, allowed the engine to cool down and then switched off the engine once the temp dropped below half mark. Now still the water was leaking and I traced it to be leaking a core from the top part of the radiator.

So it was time to visit the garage again my waxing is gonna go to waste

Since the leak was from the top part, I decided to carry plenty of water, top up at intervals and reach the garage. But when I reached race course from my home, hardly 1.5 kms the temp was again at half mark, this time I felt that something is more serious and then again topped up water, allowed it to cool and then switched off the engine. This time I found out that there was leak from another core at the bottom which ruled out the possibility of driving it to the garage.

Now, tow-ing was the only option. So I called up my BIL's driver and asked him to come over with our Jeep and a tow-rope. He arrived in few mins and we towed it to the garage.

The mechanic asked for some time since he will not be available for 2 days. We left it there and returned. I suggested him we change the radiator if things are bad, but he insisted that he will check on the condition and let me know.

He then called me back on Saturday and said that the car is ready. Since I was back to Chennai, I asked our driver to pick it up. The damaged cores were blocked and soldered. Apart from this, I had asked to clean the carb and also to oil the suspension bushes as it was squeaking . so these works were also completed and delivered.

Will be able to post actual review only after I get to Coimbatore next week.

Total Expence - Rs. 390/-

The radiator leak had happened due to the fan which had hit the radiator. I had mentioned earlier that the fan was a bit too close to the radiator and was not able to change it since the original fan was not available and now it had caused some damaged. So for now, the mech had cut the fan leaves to avoid it hitting the radiator. Will have to switch over to the original fan once I get one.

[h14]

Back to Coimbatore after an awesome drive to Ooty. One amazing drive and meet it was and my SS performed brilliantly in the hills.

Initially I was a bit nervous on whether it will make it or not but she proved me wrong. I started feeling comfortable and relaxed on reaching Kotagiri.

A steady speed of 40kmph at 3rd gear and she would have done it all day long. I was just trailing the rest of the gang by 15-20 mins.

My SS did not even request for water!

Few pictures







L-R: Linealover, Sathya_sc and teky

[h14]

One more FIAT in the house Its a 1960 Select

[hillram]

Originally Posted by h14

One more FIAT in the house Its a 1960 Select

Attachment 1024801

If you are refering to the grey coloured Fiat, its a Super Select. The blue coloured one is a Select.

[manishalive]

Congrats buddy on the new select. Please put more pictures of the beauty. Love the color shade.

[samsag12]

Originally Posted by h14

One more FIAT in the house Its a 1960 Select

Attachment 1024801

Simply WOW, congrats on acquiring a Select, 2 words that describe your Fiatful garage, Admiration guaranteed.

Originally Posted by hillram

If you are refering to the grey coloured Fiat, its a Super Select. The blue coloured one is a Select.

Ram bhai the car being referred (most probably) here is that Blue Fiat.

[h14]

Thanks all! Yes, the new entrant is the Blue one Since this thread is for my SS, will open a new thread shortly for the Select with more pics.

[h14]

Have'nt updated this thread for long time now. The SS has been brilliant! Just did another drive to Coonoor and Kotagiri last week in view of the vintage rally. Some pictures from the drive

[h14]

The SS comes to Chennai

Last Sunday, I drove the SS from Coimbatore to Chennai! Was in Coimbatore on vacation and hence went by train as I already made up my mind to bring the SS on return.

So, in preparation for the long journey, did the below works:

1. FR brake cylinder replaced as the existing was jammed.
2. All 4 brakes checked and adjusted.
3. Replaced Radiator top-hose, bottom hose and breather hoses.

The hoses before replacement











The SS all set to leave from Coimbatore



Some images enroute











Some highlights of the journey

Total distance of 540 kms
Total journey time 11:45
Total driving time 10:30

Route:
Coimbatore-Palladam-Karur-Kulithalai-Musiri-Perambalur-Villupuram-Chengalpet-Chennai

Driven sedately and constantly around the 60kmph mark. Occationally hit the 80 kmph mark and touched 105kmph once. Being sunday and considering the above route, it was pretty deserted as always.

Initially I thought that this would be a tedious journey, but it wasn't the case. The driving posture and comfort was spot on and I had no issues. The only problem I felt was driving in the hot sun without AC and a stereo especially because I was driving alone as always. Never used to such long drives without AC and music and that was evident with the number of breaks that I took

But the SS munched the miles casually and was turning heads everywhere. 9 out of 10 cars overtaking me would give that second look. Saw different reactions of fellow roadies, some smiled, some were shocked and many were astonished!The SS took everthing in its stride and brought me to Chennai without any hicckup.

And for many wondering on the fuel part, well the SS returned a very respectable 14.45kmpl Muscle

[SuperSelect]

Hey Anand - the SS is looking terrific as always! Your car has a wonderful stance, and a 'gobble up the road' demeanor...

Keep up the long drives - and keep her standing out in the parking lots

[the mole]

Congratulations! Your part of the country is indeed scenic. I hope in the future we have a Vintage car drive Holiday around this circuit. The car looks fabulous.