America Rediscovered
Page 54
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The Impressions of Two Well-known Members of a Large Oil Company
WO well-known personalities in the Anglo-American Oil Co., Ltd., have recently returned from America after a most interesting tour, during which they gained an insight into the present condition of affairs in that country. Mr. P. G. A. Smith devoted himself chiefly to the observation of generalities, whilst Mr. D. S. Paul investigated technical matters appertaining to the motor industry.
Gloom and Unemployment.
Mr. Smith's first impression was of the generally prevailing state of gloom—amounting almost to semipanic—the large -amonnt of unemployment and the widespread trend to the strictest economy. He states that there are some 37,000 "speakeasies" in New York itself, which figure gives some idea of the success of prohibition. Naturally, he was intensely interested in the progress of Ethyl spirit, which is certainly remarkable, the annual consumption now approaching 2,000,000,000 gallons. Another striking advance is in the efficient service facilities; greasing and cleaning are carried c4 out on what might be termed massproduction lines and a stop for this work to be done is a matter of ohly a few minutes.
Mr. Paul lays stress on the fine spirit of co-operation between the technicians of the motor manufacturing concerns, who often work in conjunction with the fuel and lubricating-oil experts. Oil cooling, he noted, is becoming far more general and the most successful system is that in which the engine-cooling water is employed ; particularly is this the case when the temperature of the water is thermostatically controlled.
The use of oil filters of the cartridge type is on the increase and in some engines operation of the choke when starting causes oil to be led direct to the cylinders. This obviates the tendency for oil to be washed off the cylinder walls by the wet mixture, or even liquid fuel, just when the choke is being used. _, Apparently free wheels have not yet gained much favour, although they are being supplied by at least five important makers.
Synchro-mesh gears, in which the pinions to be engaged are slowed down or speeded up by the preliminary engagement of a type of miniature clutch, are being introduced on a number of new vehicles. One maker projects each third tooth of the sliding pinions to the extent of Yin. to in., so that the number of teeth liable to scrape while passing each other before the engagement is effected is reduced to a ninth and the change becomes almost perfect, irrespective of the relative speeds.
Smaller Sparking Plugs.
In cars, at least, there is a tendency to employ sparking plugs of smaller diameter ; -already 18 ram. plugs are in general use and the 12 ram. type is coming. Such plugs are cheaper and have better heat conductivity. Starting in cold weather is facilitated by the use of electric heaters for vaporizing the fuel.