Expert Tips

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How to Correct Heavy Steering

Old, balding or incorrect tyres can make for heavy steering on a classic car – and correct pressures are important too. Note that radials are usually inflated by about 3-5psi... View Content

How to Lap in Valves

The valves' job is to open to let fuel mixture in and exhaust gas out – but also to seal perfectly when closed so everything's kept firmly inside the combustion... View Content

If your classic car has been laid up for a long time, there is a chance that the clutch may have ‘stuck’. The friction disc is held tightly between the... View Content

Exhaust Assembly: Grease or Paste?

It’s a question the SkillShack with Practical Classics team are often asked: when assembling a new exhaust, should you use an assembly paste or copper grease? Well, exhaust paste expands... View Content

Steering Wobble

If your classic car steering wobbles, first check the condition of the wheels and tyres. They may be slightly distorted. Replace the tyres if they’re old irrespective of tread depth.... View Content

Spark Plug Cash Saver

Did you know?... Spark plugs can last far longer than the stated service intervals suggest. In fact, if the engine’s running correctly they can last almost indefinitely. Check the gaps... View Content

Distributor Maintenance Check

It’s important to keep the cam in your distributor lightly lubricated to prevent premature wear of the heal of your points. A light smear of grease is best, unless there... View Content

Inertia Seat Belt Problem

If your classic car seat belt is reluctant to pay out, the inertia reel of the belt may be sitting at the wrong angle. It has two elements. One triggers... View Content

Brake Bleeding Fault Finder

If you’re having trouble bleeding your classic car brakes, there’s a possibility that the nipples are open too far. A quarter-turn should be more than enough. If it’s still drawing... View Content

Starter Motor Testing

If your starter motor is refusing to turn your engine over, first check the battery has sufficient charge and is in god condition. Next, scrutinise the ends of both battery... View Content

How It Works: Twin Cylinder Brake Master Cylinder

The principle of operation of a twin-circuit master cylinder is as follows: The pedal pushrod pushes the first piston, pressuring the first circuit. This pressure is equal throughout the system... View Content

How to Check Classic Car Brakes

One of the best ways to preserve classic car brakes is to use the car on a regular basis. Mechanisms move around, cylinders scrape themselves clean, friction surfaces de-rust themselves... View Content

Tips for Classic Car Starting Problems

If your classic is reluctant to start, here are some top tips on how to get it going. Get an assistant to pull the choke out. Look underneath the carburettors... View Content

Revive a Smelly Classic Car Heater

A festering ventilation system is a real health risk, and if yours smells dank and musty when switched on, it’s something well worth combatting. It's possible that at some point... View Content

How to Remove Silt from a Classic Car

If the cooling passages of your classic are clogged with silt, it can lead to hot spots in the block and potentially cause catastrophic failure. If you don’t want to... View Content

How to Loosen a Distributor

Question: Do you have any suggestions for loosening a distributor fitted to the cast-iron engine of my Triumph GT6? I fitted an Aldon Ignitor electronic ignition to the car and... View Content

Improving Fuel Flow

If your classic is having difficulty drawing fuel, it can manifest in symptoms from not starting to regular cutting out particularly under load as fuel runs out in the carburettor... View Content

How to Give Your Brakes a Post-lay-up Health-check

Sometimes, a braking system just requires a few miles' use to regain its function after a winter lay-up. We strongly advise, though, that it’s visually inspected for fluid leaks and... View Content

Get Better Brakes by Fitting a Brake Servo

In certain circumstances, a brake servo can be a great upgrade for a classic car. However, many people use an aftermarket brake servo as a sticking plaster solution to mask... View Content

Checks to Make When Your Car Won’t Start When Warm

Question: My 1973 1200 Beetle will start perfectly from cold but sometimes if the engine is warm it is as though the battery has gone flat and the engine simply... View Content

Tyres Checks for Selling Your Classic Car

Never underestimate the importance of good wheels and rubber, especially when buying and selling. The wheels and tyres may not be in the eye-line but they constitute a significant percentage... View Content

What to Check When Your Classic Car Is Losing Water

If your classic is losing water, the first thing to check is underneath to see if it’s escaping through a perished hose or water pump gasket. If it isn’t you... View Content

How to Cure Starting Problems

If your classic is reluctant to start, here are some top tips on how to get it going. Get an assistant to pull the choke out. Look underneath the carburettors... View Content

What to Do If Your Classic Car Loses Water

If your classic is losing water, the first thing to check is underneath to see if it’s escaping through a perished hose or water pump gasket. If it isn’t you... View Content