[bikertillidie]

Originally Posted by DHABHAR.BEHRAM

Dear Anirban - I saw this post just now, so replying. You could have easily used Maruti 800 headlights with the mounting bezel (the black ring behind) by drilling a couple of small holes in the body sheet metal. I had done it on one R&D car (MZM7331, the first prototype with the column mounted gearshift), it had fitted perfectly looked very good also, much better than the silly production headlights. Anyways, it's OK now I guess!

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

Thanks sir !
The thought did cross my mind.

However, owing to the rather long and unsuccessful hunt for "original" Lumax headlamps, this suggestion was kept only as a last resort.

I took the easy way out !

[ilangop]

Originally Posted by bikertillidie

After discussions with fellow 118 NE owner ilango, a few options were considered. Thanks a bunch ilango

(a) use headlights fitted to the Tata Sumo Deluxe
(b) use the ones fitted to the M&M Bolero pick-up (corresponding to the older models, since newer models come fitted with moulded head lamps)

Option (b) seemed to be the most sensible & cheapest option as Autopal branded ones meant for the Bolero are available in plenty.

Great Anirbhan. I had this option in mind for the next headlamp change. In the attached picture, did the holes marked in red line up with the welded studs on the body panel?
-Ilango

[bikertillidie]

Originally Posted by ilangop

In the attached picture, did the holes marked in red line up with the welded studs on the body panel?
-Ilango

They had lined up perfectly !

[KkVaidya]

Originally Posted by bikertillidie

The first picture shows the nyloc nuts being referred to above (circled in red).

Thank you for the pictures. Do you know the size of Nyloc nuts that I need to purchase?

[ilangop]

Originally Posted by KkVaidya

Do you know the size of Nyloc nuts that I need to purchase?

M8x1.25 if you approach a hardware shop inside MIDC.
13 no nut if you get into a auto parts shop.

[bikertillidie]

Now that the rain gods are on the verge of packing up, the car is back in Javed's garage for a paint job.

The engine bay required maximum attention and with the engine, gear box & majority of the wiring loom out of the way, work is finally underway.

A few photos below.

[KkVaidya]

Originally Posted by bikertillidie

Now that the rain gods are on the verge of packing up, the car is back in Javed's garage for a paint job.

What colour is on your mind?

[bikertillidie]

Originally Posted by KkVaidya

What colour is on your mind?

Am trying to decide between metallic silver & sky blue (see examples below) - Mrs. is veering towards silver

I am sure Fiat marketing literature would have up some really "exotic" names for them.

[bikertillidie]

I had been long facing a problem where the spark plugs were fouling up with engine oil.

I suspected a worn out engine to be the cause. In order to check the health of the engine, a quick compression test was carried out. The results were satisfactory.

Hence, to prevent further fouling, it was decided to replace all the valve stem oil seals.

A complete engine overhaul is not needed at the moment.

[bikertillidie]

A few more updates -

(a) Dupont paint for the body, thinners, clear coat etc has been procured. Zinc chromate primer would be used to protect against rust.

(b) a new sump was requisitioned in order to replace the damaged one bolted to the engine block

(c) fuel tank lid, levers, cables etc to facilitate remote opening. Thanks to ilangop for the DIY tip !

Pics below..

Request to 118 NE owners -

Is there is a breather fitted to the F4W56 gearbox? A few photos would be really appreciated.

[ilangop]

Originally Posted by bikertillidie

(c) fuel tank lid, levers, cables etc to facilitate remote opening. Thanks to ilangop for the DIY tip !

Check this for the remote boot release mechanism.
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/modifi...ml#post1278512
Check this for the remote fuel lid mechanism.
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/modifi...ml#post3641378

Here is the step by step procedure for the remote fuel lid release conversion in detail.
1. Latching Mechanism - Using a thin & flat screw driver separate out the latching hook from the Esteem's fuel lid. Remove the lock from 118NE lid. Swap the removed item to 118NE lid and just give a spot weld.

Since the 118NE lid is not a rectangle, but a rhombus, 1 side of the forked portion of the hook had to be chopped off (or folded as seen in the above picture) so that this aligns parallel to the length of the lid.
2. The spring release - The 2 rivets near the hinge has to ground off to remove the spring plate. Well & good if you can manage to accommodate some spring here to push out the door as you pull the release lever. If not, cannibalize 2 hair clutches and use the springs from them. With a hacksaw cut 2 slots for the 2 springs and open out the metal in between. Not sure how well I have explained this step, but please refer to this picture.

I used a nail to retain the springs. Passed it through the axis of the springs and was done
3. Fixing the opening mechanism - You now need an M6 bolt + nut, a 1.5-2mm thick steel piece about 1" x 2". Measure and drill 1 hole (Not sure if it was 10 or 12mm) to pass the neck or the opening mechanism and 1 hole to match the mounting hole. You may prefer to weld the bold to this plate. Makes fitment easier
4. Fitment and Setting - The small projection where the key lock latches into the body had to be removed (by grinding or gas cutting). Loosely bolt the lid to the body and weld the 1"x2" piece as shown below to understand if you need some fine adjustments such as aligning the lid flush with the body & parallel to the body line.
Once done, you may seal off the lock hole in the lid with a round piece of steel or a washer.
Hope the pictures addresses whatever I couldn't put up with the apt wordings.


Anirbhan, going by your bullet passion, are you planning to get the timing chain cover and other aluminium parts buffed. ?
The oil pressure switch in may car has a round bullet connector and out of curiosity I would like to know if the switch is for 118NE or some other vehicle?

[bikertillidie]

Thanks Ilango.
Fabrication of polyurethane bushings currently in progress.

[bikertillidie]

Updates as of 09th Oct

I 'll let the pics do the talking. Apologies for not being able to post photos at each step, my current schedule doesn't permit me to do that.

[bikertillidie]

Updates as of 10-Oct

Attaching a few more pics..

[ilangop]

Originally Posted by bikertillidie

Updates as of 10-Oct

Attaching a few more pics..

Hi Anirbhan, Nice your see the powertrain plonked in.
It would have been a pain to sleeve the spring with this reinforced hose.

In MIDC there is an exclusive rubber shop that sells hoses of various dia. I had used 1 such a piece while the front suspension was overhauled in my car.
Also, I think the black paint on the condenser fins is going to bring down the heat dissipation.