MAKING BEST USE OF THE FORD.
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Valuable Advice on Every Phase of Ford Transport whichwill appeal to the Owner, Driver and Repairer.
428.—Turning the Crankshaft on the Bench.
During the course of an inspection or repair, it is sometimes desirable to turn the crankshaft with the transmission drums in position. This is quite an easy matter, provided the unit is in the frame and the starting handle is in position, but after the unit has been removed it is not so simple, and for such cases a simple tool can be employed.
This is made up of a part of a universal joint the squared portion of which can be inserted into the hole in the transmission shaft, whilst sufficient leverage can be provided by fitting a 4-ft. bar made of I-in, material into the joint and securing this by bolting on the ring. It will be found that the shaft requires. a certain amount of packing to malfe it a good fit.
429.—In Favour of Cushion Tyres.
An interesting point in connection with the use of Avon Air-Cushion tyres on Ford trucks has recently been
reported by a user. "
It was found that when employing either solid or pneumatic tyres he had to replace the axle sleeves and roller bearings about once every two months, but since fitting the cushion tyres referred to 13,000 miles have been covered without any replacement of these parts. Also the special anti-skid tread is proving a great advantage, mid at an agricultural show in the West, which took place some time ago, a number of vehicles were hogged after being parked in a field. These were all towed out, one by one, by a similar vehicle equipped with these tyres, Owing to the fact that they gave a miich better grip on the soft and greasy surface.
430.—Stopping Play in the Fan.
In the latest model Ford end play sometimes develops in the fan. As the front end of this is closed, the fan would have to be taken off and the plates removed from the pulley before play could be removed in the ordinary way. However, there is another method that can be employed. This is to remove the cotter-pin from the lock-nut at the rear end of the fan shaft and loosen the nut about one full turn. Then, place a split cotter-pin through the nut and on the fan shaft, but do not spread the ends. Next, turn the lock-nut by means of a spanner, and it will be found that the fan shaft will turn with it. Continue turning until only a slight amount of end play can be felt. Then remove the cotter-pin from the lock-nut and tighten the latter, replacing the original cotterpin and spreading the ends.
It is essential that the lock-nut should be kept tight and the cotter-pin in place, or the fan will eventually turn on the shaft and tighten itself until it comes to a stop.
431.—Facilliating Lubrication.
A simple method of keeping the lower bushes of the stub axles well oiled (and this is a matter of some difficulty) is to drill a small leek at the back of the stub axle and to plug this after use • with a small piece of hard wood. The method may appear somewhat crude, but is quite effective.
The lubrication of the back axle of the ton truck is somewhat difficult. It can, however, be facilitated by employing an oribnary gas bend of the same thread as the hole in the casing and fitting a socket at the upper end, into which the ordinary plug can be screwed.
432.—The Standard Tyre Equipment for Ford Tanners.
The Ford Motor Co. (England), Ltd., have notified us that on the Ford ton van, ton truck and chassis the standard tyre equipment is Dunlop cord tyres all round, the front wheels being fitted with 30-in, by tyres and the rear wheels with 20-in. by 5-in. oversize, The Dunlop cushion tyro is optional equipment on the rear wheels of the ton truck.
In a recent paragraph we published advice from one of our readers on how Ford fan belts should be stretched before they arc put into actual up.
We would point out that fhis applies to the old type of belt only. In the new Vehicles use is no longer made of leather belts. Those supplied by the Ford Co. and all authorized dealers are now made of special fabric and, therefore, do not require any preliminary stretching.
We are indebted to H. and J. Quick, Ltd., Chester Road, Old Trafford, Manchester, for the latter useful item of information.
433.—Ford Lubrication.
One of the most popular grades of oil for lubricating the Ford is Mobiloil E, a product of the Vacuum Oil Co., Ltd.
The unique design of the Ford engine and transmission undoubtedly calls for a special oil if the most satisfactory results are to be obtained, and one of the essentials is that the oil must be free-flowing, so that it may readily circulate throughout the engine, transmission gears and clutch.
Transmission-band chatter is sometimes due to unauitable lubricants and, with the object of reducing this to the minimum, exhaustive experiments and research work have been carried out and the new Mobiloil E is a great improvement on that which preceded it. It is now sold in the new sealed quart can at 1.s. 10d. per quart. Four-gallon cans are also available, these being of thicker metal than usual and provided with a vent and easy-pour spout, which proves a great convenience in pouring the lubricant into the comparatively small filler hole which is provided.
434.—Refitting Exhaust and Inlet Manifolds.
When refittin,,, exhaust and inlet manifolds with their glands and washers, one often feels the desirability of baying another pair of hands, so that both pipes can be held in position and the clamps and nuts secured at the same
time. Often when it is necessary to remove the exhaust pipe for replacing, say, a blown joint, the joints of the inlet manifold usually have to be broken, although in perfect condition. The whole task can be speeded up and rendered much easier by using an old pair of manifold clamps, each with one side sawn off and rounded with a file. This enables either manifold to be fitted or removed entirely independently of the other.