NapaGrape 128 Estate Wagon update...

olerascal

True Classic
Now that half of my Fiats have been re-homed,
I've time to putter with remaining inventory.
NapaGrape hasn't been a high priority,
but has been sitting non-op the longest...5 years.
So...time has come to see how well tranny shifts with fresh load of MTL.

Since I properly mothballed the motor, it fired up easily.
Idles like a swiss watch as long as I want it too without overheating.
But disk brakes don't like to sit, and are easy to freshen up,
so figured good brakes for the trial drive would be prudent.

While cleaning caliper seal grooves & rotor surfaces
woulda likely been sufficient, I had parts for complete freshen.
So it got new rotors, hoses, pads, & caliper kits.
Painted & detailed...even tho' this car will be sold,
that's no reason to not do the best I can.

Very glad the test drive showed the previously slightly-balky
2nd gear now engages like a champ with MTL.
All other gears were fine, so no change there.
So...time to put it away (inside now that I have space)
and get back after motor issue with my BlueX.

Obligatory pics...
Prepped to virgin metal.
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Including hardware prep...
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Clean calipers & new rotors...
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Painted parts...
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Prepped/painted what doesn't show...it's a sickness.
brakes%20misc%20017_zpsbmbjdzky.jpg


Stainless bits removed before prep/paint, then reinstalled...
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Re-assembled & ready for test drive...
brakes%20misc%20023_zps7njzhwrh.jpg


Previous posts about NapaGrape resurrection:
Battery mount fabrication...
http://xwebforums.com/forum/index.php?threads/27679/

Seat restoration...
http://xwebforums.com/forum/index.php?threads/27952/

Dash restoration...
http://xwebforums.com/forum/index.php?posts/177698#poststop/
 
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Nice!

What's left? Sounds like engine, trans, brakes, and interior are coming together. Your famed wheel and paint treatment is missing, ha!
 
Looking good Mike. Perhaps you could do this as a part-time retirement gig... for others. :italia:
 
Hi Mike,

Looks great!
I have a question...you mention that you put MTL in the tranny...can you elaborate what brand and weight you used. Did you mix the fluid with something else or use straight MTL in the tranny?
Thank you in advance,
Gianni
 
What's next Courtney...

Yo Courtney: Have already refurb'ed wheels for NapaGrape.
Silly looking 5 spokes...with 4 lugs. Shoulda put BWA SportStars on it!
daytonas019_zps56b28e77.jpg


What's next is mothballing it so I can focus on BlueX motor.
Beyond that, field test mechanicals
& finish cosmetics to well-used, but clean standard,
then find out what the market value is.

Hello Gianni: MTL is manufactured by Redline.
It's a synthetic tranny lube for transaxles,
to replace the OE spec fossil-based lube. No mixing.
I've seen it improve shifting action in at least 20 different instances.
 
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