Starting a Used Car Restoration Business – Suggestions Invited

[Varun560061]

Re: Is Maruti 1000 Good Car For Commercial Restoration Project?

What if someone changes Half/Full engine from MASS ?? Many cab owners change the engines after covering a certain kilometer. My cousin bro has changed his fiat's engine 3 times but not endorsed in the RC. I'll soon inquire about this in the RTO

With half engine, the engine block will not be replaced hence the engine number will not be swapped.

Only the pistons, connecting rods will be changed hence no worries.

 

[sankyp]

Re: Is Maruti 1000 Good Car For Commercial Restoration Project?

Hi Anand,

If you are really serious abt this business and want people to take you seriously, you shud IDEALLY look for a place you can use as a garage. Even a a small space to keep your tools and a small piece of open land be fine. If not, then a garage with atleast 1-2 car space. People shud see you doing work on some car before they come and inquire for their own car. Working in front of your house can give an impression of you working on your own car. See how it works with your finances. Just wat I feel.

 

[Sam Dinkar]

Re: Sometimes our Values slow our progress

Sam:
I did not misunderstand your advice Sir, I just agreed that Baleno is a fantastic car. When I was doing the initial home work about this idea, I had Baleno on my list of preferred cars, but once I came to know the part prices etc I was a bit shocked. That is the reason I mentioned the drawbacks of this car.

Jarpickle:
I do not want to do anything in the car that can/might put the buyer in any sort of legal issue later on. If I change engine then engine number wont match what is on the rc book & so he may fail FC in near future whenever he gets it done.

Sharing a few more things:
I cant be 100% honest (gentleman) in this business, but I wont be anything less than 99.99% This is one of the reason's why my known people wont lend money for this business. They always assume that I am doing this to make money & if it is so, then why waste money on parts?

It is my dream to make someone's dream of 1st car to come true in the form of a fully serviced, breakdown free used car.

For many people (who have no idea about cars) buying a car for the first time is like a "plunge into darkness, with fingers crossed" a certain amount of fear exists in them. It is this fear which usually compels them to buy a car from "Certified/branded outlets" but i have seen enough examples in my short tenure in a used car dealer, of how well they polish & sell cars as refurbished cars, I am not cribbing about them, they are just doing it for money.

On the first day of my car ownership I had a breakdown on a lonely dark road. That day I decided make my car a "breakdown free car" (which I did succeed to some extent). I just dont want to see any of my customers to face that kind of situation. I might start late, but I dont want to change myself for just a few thousands. Had I hide the fact (about refurbishment cost) to my financier today I would have been posting pic of OHC 1.5ltr bought, but then this isn't about money alone.

Anand, this post has made me very very senti.

Its great to see that you have a vision for what you are trying to do and its even better to know that your vision is exceeded by your noble intentions. If a car refurbished by could speak, I'm sure the first thing it would say to you would be "thank you,sir."

I can already see the tagline of SS80 Motor Works: "Used cars that won't give up on you till the day you decide to give them up."

Bravo! If you could manage to pull this off, you would certainly be successful. I strongly believe that these is an unfilled niche for a honest used car dealer in our country.

Forget about the diesel engine swap in a Gypsy. Its illegal. CMVR homologation rules do not allow it.

If you don't want to get into Jeeps, try starting with another little 800. I think you should be able to make some profit on it. I completely agree with Iron Rock that the 800 is the only car out of the Maruti stable that you should touch.

Whatever you decide to do, please keep this thread updated.

 

[jarpickle]

Re: Sometimes our Values slow our progress

Anand, this post has made me very very senti.

Its great to see that you have a vision for what you are trying to do and its even better to know that your vision is exceeded by your noble intentions. If a car refurbished by could speak, I'm sure the first thing it would say to you would be "thank you,sir."

I can already see the tagline of SS80 Motor Works: "Used cars that won't give up on you till the day you decide to give them up."

Bravo! If you could manage to pull this off, you would certainly be successful. I strongly believe that these is an unfilled niche for a honest used car dealer in our country.

Forget about the diesel engine swap in a Gypsy. Its illegal. CMVR homologation rules do not allow it.

If you don't want to get into Jeeps, try starting with another little 800. I think you should be able to make some profit on it. I completely agree with Iron Rock that the 800 is the only car out of the Maruti stable that you should touch.

Whatever you decide to do, please keep this thread updated.

Can you explain the CMVR homologation rules please.

 

[Varun560061]

Re: Is Maruti 1000 Good Car For Commercial Restoration Project?

With half engine, the engine block will not be replaced hence the engine number will not be swapped.

Only the pistons, connecting rods will be changed hence no worries.

I am sorry for the wrong info, just reliased today after seeing an half engine block in MGP stores. It had a Separate number on the block.

Any members having the info about these changes please share them here.

 

[Sam Dinkar]

Re: Is Maruti 1000 Good Car For Commercial Restoration Project?

Can you explain the CMVR homologation rules please.

Ha ha. Keith, there are Directors and General Managers in auto companies who are hired only to look after CMVR homologation. Explaining them here would wear out my fingers (and I am not an expert either). To put it extremely crudely, these are rules that certify the emissions, safety, and road worthiness of any vehicle made or imported in the country. Its pretty much a standard practice worldwide. India has ARAI, VRDE, and CFMTTI that do these certifications. Fitting a new (different) engine to a vehicle calls for homologation. Have a look:
Motor Vehicle Rules in India.

I am sorry for the wrong info, just reliased today after seeing an half engine block in MGP stores. It had a Separate number on the block.

Any members having the info about these changes please share them here.

We had put a half engine in our Maruti 800 some 10 years back. Maruti gave us a certificate regarding the same and the RTO endorsed the new engine (block) number on the RC book.

 

[ss80]

Re: Is Maruti 1000 Good Car For Commercial Restoration Project?

Sam Dinkar:
Thank you Sir.

Small Update:
As of now I am in waiting period (for funds) for the next month or two. Why crib about luck, where there is a will there is a way. Having gone through some highly motivating pics on one of our TAI threads. I made a contact to some of my close people asking them if they need "Basic Service" for their cars. A service that aims at identifying critical issues & fixing them along with the regular service.

One of my old & distant friend who works in Mumbai & his car is in Bangalore, needs a basic check up & oil change. I had seen his car almost a year back, it is a sparingly used Palio 1.2 sports. Some time back I sold him a DIY rear wiper blade replacement (as Palio rear wiper blade is not available seperately, you need to buy the whole wiper arm). It's been almost a year since I saw the car, it is usually parked outside & not in good shape (paint fading etc). He loves his car, but he is not in town to take care of it. His family uses it for less than 150kms per month.

Here are a few pics of that car from my Computer's hard disk. Not sure how it will look now.

The car - Fiat Palio 1.2 Sports (Top end in 1.2ltr) Petrol


The speedometer


The Engine bay


The Head gasket leak


The wheel caps


List of problems: (As far as I remember)
1. Head Gasket Oil leak
2. Windshield water hose
3. AC working, but blower does not
4. Wheel caps - repaint using cans
5. Air filter chamber has leaves in it (luckily the filter still exists!

Urgent & essential works on the car:
1. Engine Oil Change - Mineral (as customer is not ready for synthetic oil price)
2. Oil filter change
3. Air filter change + Clean air filter plastic box (dont know the name)
4. Water spraying nozzle cleaning + hose replacement
5. Head gasket change
6. Gear Oil inspect & change if required
7. Spray paint - silver coloured wheel caps
8. Interior cleaning + carpet wash & refit
9. Cabin blower cleaning + wiring check
10. Inspect the exhaust end can for severe rusting (replace it with a used one, if owner agrees)
11. Wiper blades - check condition & replace
12. Replace the 1.2 badge on the fender
13. Wheel rotation (DIY) & Wheel alignment (at garage)

If I find too many issues (if the list goes on & on) (radiator leaking etc may be I will suggest him to give it to (Fiat Service center). Apart from this there are other issues too - Headlamp & tail lamp replacement (too costly - 10K+ easily), tyre condition etc. But if I go on, then it would no longer be a basic service .

 

[Sam Dinkar]

Re: Is Maruti 1000 Good Car For Commercial Restoration Project?

Anand, as much as I love your passion, I hate the way that Palio has been treated by your friend.

Your post seems incomplete. What do you wish to do? Give a basic service job to this Palio? Most jobs that you have listed are DIYs apart from the head gasket replacement - installing one is easy, finding one is not.

Go ahead. Make that Palio smile. All the best.

 

[ss80]

Re: Is Maruti 1000 Good Car For Commercial Restoration Project?

Sir, this is the first palio I drove & was stunned by the build quality & butter smooth engine. It is sad to see such a nice car not being taken care of.

I will visit his home tomorrow & check the condition of the car & will give his brother a break up of the cost. Based on his budget I will buy parts before weekend. This saturday I will do the DIY. This Palio needs a lot of care & attention, it is sad to see it in that state. In fact I dint want to post more pics of the car - here it is. It is truly a spoiler.

 

[Sam Dinkar]

Re: Is Maruti 1000 Good Car For Commercial Restoration Project?

Ha ha. It indeed is a spoiler. Keep this thread updated.

 

[Releesh]

Re: Is Maruti 1000 Good Car For Commercial Restoration Project?

SS80@

what is the budget you expect from Palio owner for this works? Since the resale value of palio is very less, it will be great, if you get a budget of 5 digits from the owner.

 

[jarpickle]

Re: Is Maruti 1000 Good Car For Commercial Restoration Project?

What is the recommended oil for the palio, if its synthethic then you need to use synthetic.Consult the owners manual for the same.

That could just be an oil spill or oil coming out the breather pipe or the small gaskets below the cam cover bolts(remember I had consulted you about the same problem in the 800).You need to know the correct torque for tightening.

Why don't you clean out the throttle body as well and give the engine bay a cleaning too.

 

[Varun560061]

Re: Is Maruti 1000 Good Car For Commercial Restoration Project?

SS80 the Palio is in very bad shape !!

As Sam mentioned it would be a tough job to find a head gasket, if found it would be costly.

Make sure you dont use water (spray at washing centers) to clean the engine bay, as these cars have all the electricals in the engine bay including the ECU. (I guess you told me this some time ago, ha ha)

It would be better if you use diesel or WD40 for cleaning purpose. (Better would be WD40 though costly but very efficient).
Chip's Tip #233: Use WD-40 to remove caked on grease - YouTube

As jarpickle suggested clean the throttle body it will make lot of difference..

What about the brakes ? No checkup ?

 

[jarpickle]

Re: Is Maruti 1000 Good Car For Commercial Restoration Project?

You need to tell your friend to get the car repainted.Seriously check for rust, I wouldn't be surprised if you found gaping holes.

 

[ss80]

Re: Is Maruti 1000 Good Car For Commercial Restoration Project?

I just spoke to my friend & told him that I would visit on Saturday morning to have a look & TD the car & will need advance & the car if agrees for the charges. He said ok. In the meantime, I called up my regular parts dealer at J.C.Road & requested him for the prices. Here it is

Engine Oil: 3.5Ltr - 800/- (approx)
Head Gasket: 1000/- (I need to see if it is head gasket/tappet cover gasket (not sure what its called)
Oil filter & air filter - approx. 450/-

Any idea how much would it cost for the tappet cover gasket?
Totally spares would come to 2500/- max for all this. Head Gasket may not be the issue, it could just be the tappet cover's gasket which has given up. Not sure though.

Varun:
Yeah this car once had a breakdown after a cash wash, the issue was ECU gone kaput after the wash. So he bought & installed a used ECU from Shivajinagar for 7000/- & ever since it was never ever washed. I will stick to Thinner (for aluminium parts), kerosene for other parts & ABRO/WD40 if possible.

Jarpickle:
You are right, these are old pics, I'm not sure about how its gonna look on saturday morning. As mentioned earlier, his family is using the car for hardly 1000kms in 6months (or may be lesser) hence I doubt if he will be willing to do a full body paint. There are damages on the bonnet, Rear left quarter panel, driver door - minor dents which needs tinkering work. The plastic on the running board (chassy guard) & the plastic part that fits on the side corners of the windshield is also lose, last time I applied some anabond for it. Not sure it is still holding on to it. Paint on bumper is also cracked. Last time when I drove it,
1. (engine) vibrations - NIL
2. Power steering issues - NIL
3. Brakes - Top Notch
4. Seats - dirty but sponge is still good & not torn anywhere
5. ICE not working
6. Rattling - NIL (only cd's in the glovebox were making sound)
7.Suspension - No leaks/squiks!

It is only the paint job that is an eye sore in this case.