The Electrical Win

Following the successful bypass of the fuel pump relay in Case File 013, we moved to permanent hardware testing. We replaced the fuel pump relay, and the new unit worked exactly as expected. This was a critical “green light”—it confirms that there are no further electronic interlocks or secondary kill switches currently preventing the primary fuel system from functioning.

The “Dry Storage” Theory

With the relay active, we added five gallons of high-octane fuel along with a healthy dose of fuel additive. The results were immediate: The Vice Van started up, albeit not easily, and ran strong. Unlike previous tests, the engine continued to run for a significantly longer duration. This strongly supports the theory that the vehicle was stored with little to no fuel. While the dashboard fuel gauge appears to be inoperative, it is a minor concern compared to the victory of a running, idling 351 Windsor.

The Systems Audit: Thermal & Hydraulic

While the engine was running, we performed a wider audit of the mechanical systems. The news is a mix of “better than expected” and “investigation required”:

• Thermal Management: The van is running hot. While there is currently no working heat in the cab, the engine temperature climbs toward overheating quickly. We are hoping for a simple fix, such as a stuck thermostat, but further troubleshooting is required.
• Braking System: The brakes are currently non-functional. There is very little pressure; pumping the pedal provides a momentary hold before it collapses to the floor. This indicates air in the lines or a master cylinder failure. Our next step is to bleed the system and inspect for leaks.

The Alternator Mystery

During an under-hood inspection, we discovered another electrical anomaly: The main wire running to the alternator has been cut. The routing is unique—it runs from the alternator into a distribution box or isolator before heading back to the battery. This was likely part of the specialized charging system used to maintain the house batteries during surveillance ops. We will need to test the distribution box to ensure it hasn’t shorted internally before we repair or replace the main charging lead.

Due to the age and anticipated use of the van, when we’re replacing the alternator wire we’ll go ahead and replace both battery terminals before adding a battery cutoff switch and a battery maintainer.

Current Status

Overall, the van remains in better condition than initially anticipated. We still have a significant mechanical “To-Do” list, but having a stable, running engine allows us to begin addressing the safety and cooling systems one by one.