We return back. The grill which is integral of the radiator had a purplish tinge – do not touch. She was nice and hot.
We jacked her up and began to drain the oil out.
4.2 Litre and 6 cylinders of Britains finest engineering (at the time!) revealed!
Boo to all that electronic drive modes and ride controls. These linkages control control the distributor advance/retard as also the shock absorber fluid.
The water pump in black. It is sealed with a combination of packing and grease. If the pump starts leaking, merely tighten the bolt and increase the pressure of the packing. Wish VW would do this for their 2.0 TDI engines!
Chris then removed the plugs and inspected them. The first plug seemed get a bit more fuel dumped on it. All plugs were cleaned, and gaps reset. The coils sparks was checked. Believe it or not, this Rolls uses modern NGK plugs, the original plugs made it run rough and backfire! No one wants a flatulent dowager!
Next, the points were checked (not done that since my Ambassador days!) and cleaned them with a special paper. We helped turn the engine to TDC and while Chris adjusted the gap and timing. Once complete, it is time to address the rat problem. Chris applies polish on the engine and polishes the covers. Rats hate this apparently.
Chris then showed some of the convenience features and built in redundancy measures to avoid breakdowns.
Twin Coils – when one fails, merely unplug it and connect the other.
A reel of fuse wire built into the fuse box
Also to note were a spare set of points bolted in a compartment on the bulkhead and also twin fuel pumps
Chris then removed the wheels and check the bearings. Removing the wheels is another convenience feature. None of all that locating the studs and bolts, standing on the wheel brace, the stress, the cuss words!. Heck, you need not even touch the dirty bits!
You merely place the special tool on the central wheel hub and match the serrations, you tighten a small plunger to push the hub centre in. It disengages, merely twirl the tool and unscrew the hub off.
Chris checks the hub and brake drum.
Note the thin profile and the fins. He coats the axle and the spindle lightly with the old oil to prevent surface corrosion. We repeat for the remaining wheels.
It is then time to replenish the oil. No need to get your hands dirty with dipstick. There is a meter on the block.
Empty and Full!
We pour 7 litres of Shells finest fossil fluid and start her up. She is smooth as a nut. Manu and I take turns driving her around. Chris deemed her in good health and encouraged Manu to drive it on longer trips around and give it more of a challenge. (Manu was a bit scared to drive too far away in case anything happened!)
It was 12.30. Time to wrap up, have lunch with Manu's mother and return home.
Driving the Rolls was an experience, people stop and wave, people take pictures and give you thumbs up. Traffic actually give way to you as a way of giving respect. Like a respected old lady, no one crowds you in unlike what happens to supercars. Again, this is Mysore!
We roll up and the car is prepared for storage. Although Manu lives in Bangalore, the car will remain in Mysore, that with its old buildings, less traffic, open roads, she is happiest over there.
It was a privilege to have piloted an icon and a pleasure to have met with Chris. Once again, thanks KPS for ensuring this beauty was resurrected into one of the best.
I always loved piloting an old Mercedes and using the bonnet star as the crosshair but nothing beats having a silver lady flying ahead of you.