Catch tank

Q I am restoring my Mk5 Cortina which started life as a 1.6 but am installing a 2-litre Pinto and have some queries around a couple of aspects. I want to fit an oil catch tank. All of the tanks I see have two spouts. Clearly one connects to the crankcase breather but there are no other obvious places to connect the other one to. Do I just ignore it or block it off? And where should it go?

I also have a pair of Weber 45DCOEs to fit. I will convert to electric fuel pump and realise I will have to fit a pressure regulator. What pressure should the system be run at? Can I set this system up with the existing 1.6 fuel tank, or do I need a tank with a return? Do I need a swirl pot? Keith Anders Email

A The other connection on a catch tank allows you to run another breather pipe from the top of the engine — either from an outlet on the oil cap or sometimes the cam/ rocker cover. You can get Pinto oil caps with breather outlets, but if you don’t think the engine needs one, just ignore the extra connection on the tank.

A fuel pressure regulator is a good idea, as most electric pumps run between 4-7 psi (depending on type) and you don’t need anywhere near that on a carb-fed engine. As you’re going to need to get the carbs set up once they’re fitted to the Pinto, leave the job of setting up the regulator to your engine tuner.

Yes, you can use your existing fuel tank. There’s no need for a fuel return or swirl pot — these are only really required for fuel-injection set-ups.

“THERE’S NO NEED FOR A FUEL RETURN OR SWIRL POT, AS THESE ARE ONLY NEEDED FOR FUELINJECTION”