Staff Car Sagas
The PC team opens up about its latest successes and failures.
process step by step over the next few months. There’s very little he doesn’t know about the oily arts: Formhalls are experts in white metalling and deep engine surgery. Charlie began his adventure with Riley at the Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration show in March, where he fought valiantly to deconstruct the twin-cam engine. What did he find? Find out next time.
Project updates
You never really finish an Interceptor. Just like any project it keeps popping up and biffing you on the nose with new demands. The latest was a lack of electrickery emanating from the alternator department. I have the original MOPAR 60amp unit slotted onto the offside front of the 6.3-litre V8 and it wasn’t responding with enthusiasm.
Sadly, 11 to 12 amps of charge was all it could muster which, when you need to churn a big hot engine over, ain’t going to cut the mustard. A fail on the forecourt made my mind up and an internal clean and new brushes returned the unit to full health – but didn’t increase the rate of charge to the battery. I’m cleaning the earths then. Great.
Then the rebuilt Edelbrock carb started to play up. Rough running and, more alarmingly, petrol seepage saw me kicking the bin at the workshop again. I spent £200 on this rebuilt item from the States and £60 on import tax… and it’s not really good enough. A petrol leak in an Interceptor engine bay is best avoided, so I put the Holley back on. Carb advice, or even an injection solution, is eagerly sought. What would you do?
danny.hopkins@practicalclassics.co.uk