[ron_9191]

Fantastic writeup mate! I love the Amby so much. That was the first car in India I had a chance to be in as a young boy. Reading your thread has really got me thinking that I need one before its too late

[Aslamjaffer]

Congratulations on the buy and an excellent write up indeed. Loving the Amby so much. Keep the updates active and wishing more happy miles with it.

Cheers
Aslam

[pramodpk]

Originally Posted by funkykar

In this 350+ kilometres of driving, I already had many thoughts running in my mind on what works to do for my Amby. Jotted down these on Evernote right after reaching home:[list][*] Get the brakes cleaned and fix the issue of locking up[*]Cooling system running on water. Add surf excel, flush out the system and later put coolant [Idea given by BHPian Manishalibe many years ago][*]New shoes. 185/65 R15 or 195/65 R15.[*]Run the car on a fuel system cleaner like System G[*]Alloys of Avigo[*]Keyless Entry[*]Spring action on accelerator is hard. Don’t know if by design or something can be done.[*]Remove the sun film[*]Engine Oil, Differential Oil and Gearbox oil change[*]Air Filter change[*]Petrol Filter change[*]Does it have a pollen filter? If yes, change[*]Change to IND Number Plates[*]Footwell lights[*]Lighting up the dickey[*]Service the Sequential LPG kit.

Congrats for getting the Amby. Does you Amby have disc brakes in front?

The AC blower is a Super King unit. What happened to the original blower?

Please post more pics of car after putting Gypsy wheels.

Do a thorough check up for rust and take necessary steps to control it. Amby is prone to rusting.

[Coplay]

Thats a very nicely written story. I felt I was watching a racy thriller which has a happy ending.
Can't wait for more updates on the car. Can't wait for pics with new shoes.
Rated 5 stars.

[Horizon85]

Congratulations funkykar on your latest acquisition. Owing an Amby has always been a dream of mine. On one occasion, I was very close to buying one, but didn't work out.

These cars were made keeping in mind good comfort levels and that rear seat is indeed a sofa.

I think you should get wheel caps like the one on Arun's Amby. Adds to the retro appeal.

Had thoroughly enjoyed your last thread on Arun's Amby.
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/post-w...mark-ii-2.html


And now comes your own! Way to go. Enjoy your drive!

[Horizon85]

A RTO agent once told me that it's not possible to get NOC for inter state transfer of a vehicle more than 5 years old. Is that true?

How do you plan to register this Amby in Bangalore?

[funkykar]

Originally Posted by Horizon85

A RTO agent once told me that it's not possible to get NOC for inter state transfer of a vehicle more than 5 years old. Is that true?

How do you plan to register this Amby in Bangalore?

No, that's incorrect. Any state would give NOC without any issues atleast if its within 15yrs. With NGT thing being hot, am not sure whats the scene in Delhi for older vehicles. I don't think Pondy has any issues granting NOC. The application will be made shortly through an agent as I personally cant go/follow up.

Karnataka being our home state, there is no issue as long as NOC is there. My MH registered Padmini also was re-registered in Bangalore in similar way 2 yrs ago.

[funkykar]

@Pramodpk - Yes, front are disc brakes. I would presume, all Ambys that came after MPFI engines came in were disc brakes.

I don't know if this is after market AC. I have seen too many Ambys with exactly same ACs. Wondering if the AC from factory itself came like this.

The Amby came back yesterday with necessary mods made for the Gypsy wheels to be added. It now looks stunning with the new wheels of Gypsy. I couldn't click any pics as it was dark by time I returned. I will click them soon and post by tomorrow. Here is the revised things that I intend to do on my car.

1. Left door lock repair - Many times, it doesn't sit in it place and hangs on the single lock

2. Window rollup of driver side isn't smooth and goes crookedly. I need to give it a helping hand.

3. High beam low beam are interchanged. Head lights need to be aligned. Light is falling too near.

4. Replace Wipers. Check Wiper spray operation.

5. There is a slight leak towards bottom of Radiator. Find it and repair it. May be service the radiator and flush it thoroughly as well.

6. Air filter change - Want to know what's the OE and where to get it from.

7. Oil and oil filter - What's the recommended grade of oil for MPFI Amby's? What's the quantity. What oil filter to be used and where to get it from.

8. Throttle Body cleaning(?)

9. Plugs change - What plugs are OE and where to source from.

10. Hoses and belt - Check and replace. Power steering belt makes a noise often. Is this normal or should I simply replace?

11. Power Steering oil refresh - What is the spec and where to source.

12. Gear Box oil - What grade oil to use and what quantity.

13. Differential oil - What grade oil to use and what quantity.

14. The bottoms of the door have a bit of rust. Want to get it attended to.

15. Silencer has a leak. Check and replace necessary components.

16. Detail the car.

17. IND Number plates

18. Roof sticker (?)

19. Remote Locking

20. Cabin and foot well lighting connected to door switch

21. DRL (may be?)

22. Detail the car.

I badly need the user manual of the MPFI Ambassador. Can anyone help me with it. If there exists a soft copy, nothing like it.

[prateekvidya]

Karthik,

This is a superb effort man, hats off to your passion.

I think being a classic car, DRL may not be the best of ideas - besides, it doesn't go well with every car. Why don't you consider a wrap, maybe even a customised design or a very shiny gloss finish color with thorough cleaning of headlamp glass. You may want to replace the bulbs with something brighter since you anyway need to align the headlamps.

Post some pictures soon !

[funkykar]

After getting the Gypsy wheels and new tyres fitted with necessary mods, it was time to go ahead with the rest of the planned activities. I had a unopened pack of Centre Locking set and DRLs I sourced long ago for Padmini. Little did I know I would end up using for a future Amby as it was incompatible for the Padmini. More than incompatible, to fit on a Padmini is too complex and involves too much work. My electrician and door setter were a bit free and I had them install the Central locking, DRL and wheel well lighting connected to the door switch. I also had them install a LED light in dickey and bonnet. They took quite some time to set it right. The front locks needed to be changed to Type 3 type locks. I also had them change the belts. While the work was in progress, I changed the Air Filter.


Once all electrical work done, I passed on the car to the Tinker who operates at the same garage. The silencer had a leak. The cat-con, muffler and tail pipe looked rusty. I got the necessary parts from JC road including the packings and the rubber holders. For cat-con, only option is to buy the bypass pipe. Found that the shop keeper gave a smaller pipe. Instead of exchanging, the tinker kind of set right the cat-con. Now the engine sounds much smoother. There is a hollow sound, may be it needs some carbon build up. The door bottoms were slightly rusty, as usual for any Ambassador which is over 8-10yrs old. Had the tinker clean that areas and put the covers back. This will be re-looked at a later stage. Had the tinker desticker the entire car. The reflective stickers on both bumpers, cooling paper and few windshield stickers are now history.

Here are some of the pics while work was in progress. No particular order as such.

















































The modified drum to accommodate Gypsy rims:


The old muffler:


One can see that there is very little life left, no point repairing:


Here is short video of how it sounded at first crank after silenser components were replaced:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeyK_lLBFj4

[funkykar]

Car was due for Wheel Alignment after adding the new rims and tyres, especially after the mods made to accommodate them. I had also noticed that the car would turn very less to the right as compared to left. Taking U turns is night mare, even coming from background of owning only Fiats with large turning radius. I found a lazy afternoon for this work and visited Madhu’s. The alignment was done and they told they tried their best to set the limited turning of right side. They said they cant do any more than what they have already done. If its still same, I would need to visit a mechanic. I found no difference after alignment. Right U turns are next to impossible unless it’s a very wide road and less traffic. This will be looked at a later time as its affecting only U turns.

[funkykar]

It was now time for all the fluids to be refreshed. I took a good lot of time to figure the right grades of oils to use. I was very surprised and confused to know that the specs for engine and gearbox oils are same for ISUZU Petrols. I had to get reassurances many times to be sure from other friends who own Ambassadors. Arun Vasudevan and Praveen MK was of real help here. Purchased most oils from Shell Petrol Pump. Here are the works done by my old time mechanic Murthy:

• Replace brake fluid
• Replace Power Steering Fluid
• Flush and add fresh water to radiator
• Replace engine oil
• Replace gearbox oil
• Replace Differential oil
• Replace all the plugs

Car really became super smooth after refreshing all the fluids.

[funkykar]

Since all the mechanical and body work were done, it was time for a thorough wash, interior cleaning and body detailing.





Here are some pics post the detailing.




New wheels!
















My Classics parked together.




Proud to be a Kannadiga!


Mandatory Team-Bhp stickers to make the car look complete!

[h14]

Congrats on the Amby Karthik! Good to see the car getting the much needed care and attention.

On the oils used. I see a HX3 can as well alongside the hx7 in the pictures. What was the hx3 used for?

And in your future to do list, please do plan on sorting of the wiring in the engine bay. That will make it complete

[funkykar]

Originally Posted by h14

Congrats on the Amby Karthik! Good to see the car getting the much needed care and attention.

On the oils used. I see a HX3 can as well alongside the hx7 in the pictures. What was the hx3 used for?

And in your future to do list, please do plan on sorting of the wiring in the engine bay. That will make it complete

Thanks Anandh!

HX3 was for the gearbox. The ISUZU petrol gearboxes strangely have same spec as of engine oil. For the time being, I added HX3 20W50. Next service, will considered semi/fully synthetic. Mechanic also told some speedo meter ) ring is making gearbox oil leak a bit. Even that needs to be taken care of.

There are a few minor electrical works pending. Will get the wires sorted then.