bought my first car - a '68 FIAT 1100D

ronk · 22nd November 2007, 11:04

i couldn't find my mechanic for a very long time but finally got my
engine head removed. the piston heads are black, and he showed me that
the coolant chambers are corroded. apparently compression in two
cylinders isn't okay, and burning isn't fine. black coating. he is
asking me to replace the head with another one from the gujri(chor
bazaar), says he can find a good one within Rs. 1000.
can you please tell me whether i should go ahead with this. need a timing belt change also.
but thankfully cylinder walls showed no sign of wear and tear, so i guess the piston rings etc are fine.
Another option was to get some welding on he head surface and then machine the coolant holes and grind the surface.. should i go in for this.. he is also changing the valve guides and machining the seat. please advice..

alisajid · 4th December 2007, 14:53

I own a 1991 fiat,I wanted to know is there anyway we can soften its rear suspension,is there any alternate for rear suspension.

1100D · 11th December 2007, 07:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by alisajid

I own a 1991 fiat,I wanted to know is there anyway we can soften its rear suspension,is there any alternate for rear suspension.

Removing a Leaf will soften the ride. But then you have to have dummies (cut portion of the removed leaf) at the tie-ends and the axle mount. However handling will totally go. Moreover you might have to reduce a turn in the front coil to prevent that squatting down look. Highly not-recommended but possible.

ronk · 11th December 2007, 15:33

hullo people.. well it seems that i'm not destined to have this vehivle running for over 2 days!!!
well... engine head work is over, and it was sounding quite good.. but within the first hour of me driving it, some constant clicking sound started coming..
it increases with speed and goes of if i clutch! seems to be coming from the front only, near bonnet.. happens only when power is transmitted through clutch!
any suggestions?? really waiting for car to become driveable!

1100D · 11th December 2007, 21:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronk

hullo people.. well it seems that i'm not destined to have this vehivle running for over 2 days!!!
well... engine head work is over, and it was sounding quite good.. but within the first hour of me driving it, some constant clicking sound started coming..
it increases with speed and goes of if i clutch! seems to be coming from the front only, near bonnet.. happens only when power is transmitted through clutch!
any suggestions?? really waiting for car to become driveable!

Check the fork and the release bearing. Most probably this is coming from there.

Just a word of advice, dont push a newly headed car.

Anyway, each of your problems are unique, not repeat problems. Take care.

ronk · 12th December 2007, 13:02

thanks 1100,..actualy i'm not sure where this fork and release bearing is?can you tell me where to look?
will it be expensive to fix?
i'm wondering whether to pause the repair work now, cuz it's turnin out a lil expensive for me.
ya..wasn't pushing the car much... but should restrained driving for around 200 kms be enough?
oh and one more thing.. how much mileage can i expect from the car?
thanks a lot

planet_rocker · 12th December 2007, 13:37

take it easy - ask the mech to take a look and get the job done once you have a bit of cash to take of the problem - till then save up.

my car returns 5-6 KPL

- no i am not joking! (doesnt matter since i love the way she moves)

1100D · 12th December 2007, 23:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronk

thanks 1100,..actualy i'm not sure where this fork and release bearing is?can you tell me where to look?
will it be expensive to fix?
i'm wondering whether to pause the repair work now, cuz it's turnin out a lil expensive for me.
ya..wasn't pushing the car much... but should restrained driving for around 200 kms be enough?
oh and one more thing.. how much mileage can i expect from the car?
thanks a lot

In the Clutch assembly. It doesn't need pulling the engine down. It is very inexpensive to fix. Moreover I have assumed there is no hesitancy between the engine RPM and the speeds picking up with the clutch pedal fully released.

Mileage, depends on driving, I get around 10.5 driving hard. It gives around 11.5 with care. Highways it goes to around 14.

ronk · 13th December 2007, 09:38

thanks 1100.. you give me hope!!

... well, my uncle was saying it might be the clutch finger.. lets see.. mech will check it today..

DHABHAR.BEHRAM · 13th December 2007, 19:07

Hello Mr.Seshadri - sorry I was travelling extensively and inspite of worlrwide net availability, I just did not get time to go through. I know you are having some problems with your car but keep up the perseverence. The FIATS are like this only, sometimes you feel letdown but then you will learn a lot which no other car can teach you. I will contact you next time I am in Bangalore and guide you. Please tell me of any specific areas where you are stuck now and I will help.

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

ronk · 14th December 2007, 09:09

hello, behram sir, it's a pleasure to hear from you again!
well, as mentioned in my thread, i had some gasket , engine head trouble.. that got solved by getting the head machined, and some gasket and other seals replaced.. was yet to get mmy engine mount and timing belt etc changed(parts already bought!)..
but now some clutch problem i believe, there is a constant clicking sound which increases with speed, but it goes of if i clutch.. if i rev in neutral etc, it doesn't come.
some suggestions were clutch finger, fork release bearing.. any suggestions?
one prob is that i'll probably be shifted from bangalore by january end, so don't know what to do with this fiat, but for sure i'm quite hooked on to fiats now!
anyways, am waiting to meet you in person.. please contact if you are bangalore sometime.

regards,
sheshadri

DHABHAR.BEHRAM · 28th December 2007, 18:57

Hello to you Mr.Sheshadri once again. Please call me on my moile number 09820709513. I saw your private message but my reply to you is not going through the system, hence this mail.

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

sushil_n79 · 22nd October 2008, 07:34

Hi Ronk

Did Not get to hear anything about the condition of the car after june 2005.
Can you Please keep us updated on the progress wit the latest pictures of the car.

Great job thinking of maintaining the classic.

regards
Sushil Narayanan

planet_rocker · 23rd October 2008, 12:13

the car is sold to another BHPian - Ronk is @ Kolkata now and drives a Getz.

arun1100 · 5th October 2009, 21:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by planet_rocker

the car is sold to another BHPian - Ronk is @ Kolkata now and drives a Getz.

Who is the BHPian who bought his car?

22nd November 2007, 11:04	#91
ronk BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 166 Thanked: 85 Times View My Garage	i couldn't find my mechanic for a very long time but finally got my engine head removed. the piston heads are black, and he showed me that the coolant chambers are corroded. apparently compression in two cylinders isn't okay, and burning isn't fine. black coating. he is asking me to replace the head with another one from the gujri(chor bazaar), says he can find a good one within Rs. 1000. can you please tell me whether i should go ahead with this. need a timing belt change also. but thankfully cylinder walls showed no sign of wear and tear, so i guess the piston rings etc are fine. Another option was to get some welding on he head surface and then machine the coolant holes and grind the surface.. should i go in for this.. he is also changing the valve guides and machining the seat. please advice..
	() Thanks

4th December 2007, 14:53	#92
alisajid BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: hyderabad Posts: 32 Thanked: 45 Times	I own a 1991 fiat,I wanted to know is there anyway we can soften its rear suspension,is there any alternate for rear suspension.
	() Thanks

11th December 2007, 15:33	#94
ronk BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 166 Thanked: 85 Times View My Garage	hullo people.. well it seems that i'm not destined to have this vehivle running for over 2 days!!! well... engine head work is over, and it was sounding quite good.. but within the first hour of me driving it, some constant clicking sound started coming.. it increases with speed and goes of if i clutch! seems to be coming from the front only, near bonnet.. happens only when power is transmitted through clutch! any suggestions?? really waiting for car to become driveable!
	() Thanks

12th December 2007, 13:02	#96
ronk BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 166 Thanked: 85 Times View My Garage	thanks 1100,..actualy i'm not sure where this fork and release bearing is?can you tell me where to look? will it be expensive to fix? i'm wondering whether to pause the repair work now, cuz it's turnin out a lil expensive for me. ya..wasn't pushing the car much... but should restrained driving for around 200 kms be enough? oh and one more thing.. how much mileage can i expect from the car? thanks a lot
	() Thanks

12th December 2007, 13:37	#97
planet_rocker Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bong-land Posts: 2,323 Thanked: 426 Times	take it easy - ask the mech to take a look and get the job done once you have a bit of cash to take of the problem - till then save up. my car returns 5-6 KPL - no i am not joking! (doesnt matter since i love the way she moves) Last edited by planet_rocker : 12th December 2007 at 13:40.
	() Thanks

13th December 2007, 09:38	#99
ronk BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 166 Thanked: 85 Times View My Garage	thanks 1100.. you give me hope!! ... well, my uncle was saying it might be the clutch finger.. lets see.. mech will check it today..
	() Thanks

13th December 2007, 19:07	#100
DHABHAR.BEHRAM Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: MUMBAI Posts: 3,059 Thanked: 5,409 Times	Hello Mr.Seshadri - sorry I was travelling extensively and inspite of worlrwide net availability, I just did not get time to go through. I know you are having some problems with your car but keep up the perseverence. The FIATS are like this only, sometimes you feel letdown but then you will learn a lot which no other car can teach you. I will contact you next time I am in Bangalore and guide you. Please tell me of any specific areas where you are stuck now and I will help. Best regards, Behram Dhabhar
	() Thanks

14th December 2007, 09:09	#101
ronk BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 166 Thanked: 85 Times View My Garage	hello, behram sir, it's a pleasure to hear from you again! well, as mentioned in my thread, i had some gasket , engine head trouble.. that got solved by getting the head machined, and some gasket and other seals replaced.. was yet to get mmy engine mount and timing belt etc changed(parts already bought!).. but now some clutch problem i believe, there is a constant clicking sound which increases with speed, but it goes of if i clutch.. if i rev in neutral etc, it doesn't come. some suggestions were clutch finger, fork release bearing.. any suggestions? one prob is that i'll probably be shifted from bangalore by january end, so don't know what to do with this fiat, but for sure i'm quite hooked on to fiats now! anyways, am waiting to meet you in person.. please contact if you are bangalore sometime. regards, sheshadri
	() Thanks

28th December 2007, 18:57	#102
DHABHAR.BEHRAM Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: MUMBAI Posts: 3,059 Thanked: 5,409 Times	Hello to you Mr.Sheshadri once again. Please call me on my moile number 09820709513. I saw your private message but my reply to you is not going through the system, hence this mail. Best regards, Behram Dhabhar
	() Thanks

22nd October 2008, 07:34	#103
sushil_n79 BANNED Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bhopal (M.P),Hyderabad (A.P) Posts: 348 Thanked: 241 Times View My Garage	Hi Ronk Did Not get to hear anything about the condition of the car after june 2005. Can you Please keep us updated on the progress wit the latest pictures of the car. Great job thinking of maintaining the classic. regards Sushil Narayanan
	() Thanks

23rd October 2008, 12:13	#104
planet_rocker Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bong-land Posts: 2,323 Thanked: 426 Times	the car is sold to another BHPian - Ronk is @ Kolkata now and drives a Getz.
	() Thanks