For Drivers, Mechanics, and Foremen.
Page 23
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We revive this popular "C.M." feature in connection with our "Keep Your Lorry Fit" Series, and offer a prize of ONE GUINEA for the best communication concerning any chassis to which reference has been made in that series.
Other letters on subjects of interest will be paid for on publication at the rate of One Penny a Line, and failing any award of the above prize, TEN SHILLINGS will be paid for the best letter published each week. Mention your employer's name, in confidence, as evidence of good faith. Address D., Al. and P.," The Commercial Motor," 7-13, Ilosebery Avenue, London, E.C.
How to Keep a Thornyeroft Fit.
[1672] A.H.H." (Liandaff) writes :—" The following notes concerning the care of the Thornydroft chassis should be useful as supplementing the article on the same subject which you published a few weeks ago.
"The first thing to attend to each morning is the engine lubrication, and, when filling, it should be re membered that a little more oil is needed than merely that required until the level cock overflows ; I should say from one half-pint to one pint, in order to fill all the oil pipes when the engine starts working. Keep an eye on the pressure gauge on the dashboard, and for night work the thoughtful driver will arrange a flash-lamp so that he can occasionally examine the pressure gauge during the dark hours. All lubricating oil when being poured into the engine should be passed through a sieve. Any other oiling should be according to the maker's instructions.
"While one is waiting for the oil to drain into the case, it is a good idea to make use of the time to have a look round the engine to see if there is anything working loose, such as the cylinder holding-down bolts. The tension of the fan belt may be tested, and while talking of the fan belt, a point which must not be overlooked is that the spindle requires occasional lubrication_ "It is a good idea to test all ignition connections to see that they are tight ; take care that there is no wire rubbing against the cylinders.
"Occasionally when it is convenient, take a glance at the valve tappets to see that they are properly adjusted. On some machines, I have known the adjustments to slack back a little.
"Clean out the carburetter float chamber occasionally with a clean cloth and test for flooding ; if
signs of this latter trouble are observed7 it is a good
thing to examine the float to see if it is punctured. "Keep the bolts holding the crankcase to the frame tightened up, and do not allow any water-joints. to leak. The steering gear should be looked to sometimes, and the necessity for keeping the front wheels parallel should not be forgotten. "It is important to keep the magneto clean and,free from grit or dirt. If possible it is better to have a cover made which will go right over it and keep it entirely free from such harm. c The clutch thrust race should have plenty of grease, and also the pivot bearings. The clutch leather can be occasionally washed with petrol, so as to free it from grit or grease. If the clutch pedal be held out by means of a block of wood or similar con trivance, the leather can be given a dose of eollan oil. "After a long trip, it is a good idea to go round and put a hand on the axle caps to feel if the bearings are getting hot.
"When on the road, it is as well to drive steadily, put the brakes on gently, and keep to the correct side of the road. The engine should be kept clean externally, and the radiator should be washed out now and again, the frequency varying with the hardness of the water.
"Tires ought to be examined each evening, and any small stones or pieces of grit that have become em
bedded in the rubber should he taken out. If any oil or grease is observed to be le'aking, it should be made a. note of and the cause located and remedied. By taking off the radiator cap it is possible to see whether the water pump is working correctly or not."
Keeping a Leyland Fit.
The Guinea Prize offered for the best letter on "How to Keep•Your Lorry Pit" has been awarded to the sender of the following communication.
[1673] " W.F.P." (Camberwell) sends us the following few notes supplementary to our recent article dealing with the Leyland chassis, and referring in particular to the two-ton model. "The oil. tank with indicator on the dashboard should be cleaned out occasionally. There is a certain amount of sediment which deposits in the tank, notwithstanding the gauze screen through which the oil is poured. This will have a tendency to choke the pipes if the tank be not occasionally emptied and cleaned.
"Although the Leyland clutch requires very little attention beyond the annual overhaul and periodical lubrication, it is, nevertheless, a good thing, every month or so, to clean the leather and dress it with oil. "The road wheels should be removed now and again. In order to remove the rear *heels, it is necessary, after taking off the hub cups, to remove the split pins.; this will leave the driving dogs free, and they may be taken off the ends of the shafts. The wheels will then slide off with comparative ease. It is presumed, of course, that the rear axle has been jacked up. These wheels bear on floating phosphorbronze bushes. Whenever the wheels are removed, these bushes should be carefully cleaned, greased and replaced. ,"The oil level of the rear axle case is on a level with the wheel centre line ; this is in order that the floating bushes may receive oil through channels along the axle and drilled holes.
"For both gearbox and back axle, I use Foden cylinder oil.
"The front wheels of the two-ton type are fitted with roller bearings and these should be well packed with grease when replaced. They are secured in place by a collar and pin. "Do not on any account interfere with the governor as fitted to the engine. Keep the fan belt adjusted correctly. Properly to pack the water pump necessitates its removal. On the later Leyland chassis, Dixie magnetos are fitted. It is interesting to note that these may be adjusted with the engine revolving. "A good tip in connection with brake connections is to wrap the pin joints and brake yokes in leather covers well filled with grease. The kind I recommend are those similar to the ones used on War °fate chassis for the steering gear. "When starting up. do not plug the carburetter air inlet with rag, and in winter take care that the hot-water connections to the carburetter are in good
order, and that none of the pipes is choked. The writer has noticed a most astonishing decrease in power during winter owing to cessation of the hotwater supply. The sparking plugs should be examined frequently and cleaned, as also should the petrol tank. A little careful attention to these lorries is well repaid."