[h14]

Originally Posted by DHABHAR.BEHRAM

Dear h14 - hello. Please get the intake and exhaust valve clearances adjusted. It is necessary to use the original muffler to part number PAB12453 or the S1 muffler (I don't remember the part number). Please ensure that the intake manifold breather pipe orifice is clear, if the orifice is clogged or worn, you will not get power.

Please use my recommendations mentioned in the "Premier Padmini Technical Information" thread, specifications are provided there. If you do everything as mentioned, then the car will work properly. .

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

Will definitely get it done Behram sir! Though the previous muffler was not the OE one, I did find this one to be marginally restrictive. Will get it attened

Pic of the muffler that is removed:

[DHABHAR.BEHRAM]

Dear h14 - On muffler, as you will not get PAB12453, please scout around and use the S1 muffler. This is sometimes available. I got one from Dhanam Motor Stores (previously Alagendran Motor Stores) in Coimbatore. The S1 muffler characteristics cover the requirements of PAB12453 and also provides for higher mass flow (the S1 cylinder head has a higher swirl ratio), so you lean the mixture strength to obtain excellent fuel economy. This is how the driveline was rationalized in S1. The muffler can be identified by a depression on the top portion of the rear taper (just in front of the mounting). This was made for the handbrake actuation lever to pass through for Deluxe BE cars fitted with the Nissan F4W56A transmission with hung tramsmission mounting (this never came in production).

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

PS - please PM me your contact number.

[h14]

SS is all set to get back to Coimbatore tomorrow. Starting from Chennai by about 6am with a friend. Gonna be another 12 to 13 hrs drive. Just a bit worried about the rains. Hopefully should be able to reach Coimbatore safely.

With all the mechanicals completed, the body work needs attention which is the reason on taking it back to Coimbatore.

@Behram sir, thanks again for your guidance. I'll scout for the S1 muffler in Coimbatore

[FINTAIL]

Originally Posted by h14

I'll scout for the S1 muffler in Coimbatore

Don't really get up your hopes that high. Very few PP S1's were made, and fewer were scrapped.

In any case, good luck for the journey. I assume that mechanicals are sorted. Take care not to revv the Fiaat 103 i-4 beyond any acceptable limits. Take some engine oil, and some coolant/water, and a fan belt if need be.

The wiper rubber should relatively new.

[h14]

Reached Coimbatore safe and sound. 500 kms, 12 hrs, continuous rains and he never missed a beat.

[h14]

SS is taking some well deserved rest in Coimbatore while I'm plannin on resurrecting the body. The usual areas need attention for patch; the boot door lip, all 4 doors bottom, the running board etc. There are paint bulges on the boot as well.

So thinking about attending these areas and then getting it painted. First was planning on sticking to the current shade itself, but I'm pretty keen to go in for the dual tone paint with a white roof as in my Select. So thinking of a slightly darker grey than the current one and for the roof the same as in my S.

Would love to have some suggestions from you all on choice of color and yeah importantly once the tinkering part is done, which paint? Should I go in for? Either Dupont or shall I stick on to Aspa/Duco?

[Stanher]

Originally Posted by h14

importantly once the tinkering part is done, which paint? Should I go in for? Either Dupont or shall I stick on to Aspa/Duco?

Dupont it is! 2K is definitely the decent choice for a car now, Duco paints are now turning out as good as bovine fertilizers! And don't even think of going towards Aspa unless you want to utilise your car only for "oorvallam" (processions) in remote TN villages!

[h14]

Lol Stanher, these days villages have migrated to better options. But I do see a lot of Padmini's with roof chopped off being used in Chennai for the processions

Anyways, got your point

[DHABHAR.BEHRAM]

Originally Posted by h14

Which paint should I go in for? Either Dupont or shall I stick on to Aspa/Duco?

Dear h14 - obviously only Dupont with clear coat. The formulation is slightly different if you use with clear coat. Get this clarified from Dupont before you buy, otherwise you will not get perfect finish.

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

[Bulldogji]

Modern paints are lead free, somehow these paints used on old sheet metal cause surface bubbles due to trapped moisture or whatever, I have no idea.

If you can source paint with a lead content, this problem does not occur, I have no knowledge of paint formulations but this has been my experience.

Best to get the car painted under the supervision of a reputed paint company representative. They are normally co operative when told that their product is to be used on an old car.

[FordDodo]

Unless you want a gleaming finish, go for Duco. It's trusted and used over the years on old cars.

DuPont is good, IF done the PERFECT way. Else as Bulldogji said, bubbles will appear.

[h14]

Nothing much has progressed except for that SS visited Ooty yet again! This was my 4th drive to Ooty in the SS and he was at his best on the ghats!
Effortless climbing all along on 3rd gear while only the hairpin bends demanding a downshift to 2nd.

Tyres need a change soon! Guess will have to settle with radials. The odo now stands a little over 78k kms.

Oh! and the idea of re-painting has been shelved for now due to various factors such as my amby's rebuild being stretched and also with another 1100 ('85Padmini) coming home

Clicked at Annur while waiting for the other bikes:



At Lakeview with the Linea




Clicked earlier this year en-route Pollachi

[DHABHAR.BEHRAM]

Originally Posted by h14

Tires need a change soon! Guess will have to settle with radials.

Dear h14 - please DO NOT use radials as far as possible. 5.20*14 is still available if you scout around. I picked up a set last month from a most unexpected source in Pune. I had upgraded my new Tata Bolt tires from him, at that time I had casually mentioned my requirement and then I had forgotten about it. I got the most pleasant surprise when he called and told me that somebody in Kolhapur had 4 very slightly used and very good condition Ceat Safety Drive tires. I told him to get them, I saw them, liked them (they were better than I expected ), so I picked them up. As expected, the cost was very high, but I guess it was worth it. .

Your car looks really nice, keep it as it is. Get wheel-caps if you can source them.

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

[h14]

Thank you Behram sir for sharing your thoughts! I have been scouting for the nylons for a very long time and there by have been risking by driving with the present tyres in bad shape!

Wheel-caps, horn button and the FIAT1100 monogram on the boot are still unticked in my wanted list for the SS :(

[h14]

The ODO has crossed the 78k mark and SS had its first break down. I had started from Coimbatore to my friends farm in Walayar, plan was to leave SS in their garage for mechanical works. The plan was on preventive maintenance and also on the suspension as I feel the car coming down heavy on pot-holes and in speed breakers. There was also this annoying squeaking noises from the suspension bushes, the brakes too needed attention.

So with all this in mind, decided to go there and started from home at around 10am. Few meters out of the house, I heard weird tapping noises. Didn't bother about it and continued to drive, it was sort of on and off and was not from the engine. I assumed it was either the engine bed or gearbox bed which can hold for a while as I was anyway heading to the garage.

But that was not the case and the noise was more prominent now and the gear rod started vibrating badly and with a shudder felt something fall on the road. A quick peek in the IRVM and could see something like a bolt. Luckly this happened in a road where there was free space to pull over and had a tree for shade! Pulled over right-away and locked the car and walked over to pick up the debris that fell down.

Contrasting to my suspicion, it was a small rubber part. The issue was with the center joints' rubber bed. Decided it was best not to drive any further and called my friend who had the part handy (a used one from another car) and immediately sent his mech. Was waiting there for close to an hour for the mech to arrive and once he was in, took around 15 mins to complete the job post which we both continued to the farm.

Post this issue, car drove beautifully as ever.

The debris picked up from the road


Probably the only area in that stretch which had space to pullover. The tree shade definitely a bonus


Parked at an adjacent lane for the mech to start work


The replacement part


The actual, literally torn

It did show signs of the issue when I started, but I ignored it big time and in spite of that, it did not let me down at any crowded area or in peak traffic. It rather chose a trouble free spot. FIAT for a reason

At the garage with fellow 1100's