Passing Comments
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Rootes Group Makes A RECENT speech by Sir Progress with " William Rootes contains
Rationalization . . some particularly interesting information concerning the rationalization of models and components in the Rootes group, some, no doubt, affecting the company's commercial vehicles. Others in the car field are notable as indicating the progress in this direction. In the companies which the group has absorbed there were no fewer than 22 basic models of car. These have been reduced to four, of which three can have alternative engine sizes. There were at one time 13 different power units, which have been reduced to three, and 10 models of gearbox are now replaced by two. In addition the pooling of unit manufacture, gives greater production runs. Pro
gress in this direction, of course, assists the export trade, as well as operators at home, and obviates the need for large stocks of spare parts.
• How Vibration is nNE of the secrets which Much Reduced on have helped towards reduc Albion Chassis . ing torsional vibration on Albion vehicles is the use of a Lanchester-type balancer with spring-loaded friction surfaces. This device is unusually situated just in front of the middle bearing of the propeller shaft, instead of in the more normal position at the front end of the crankshaft. This method is used on all types of chassis of this make and has proved most efficient. Advice on Keeping THOSE who, unfortunately, Stored Batteries , in will be required to lay up Condition. . . their cars should pay particu lar attention to the batteries. In this connection, some points as to their treatment are given by the Chloride Electrical Storage Co., Ltd. Those who may be quite certain that their vehicles will be stored for, say, two or three years, should pour out the electrolyte and replace it with pure water, and the batteries should •never be subjected to extremes of temperature of below 40 degrees F. or above 80 degrees F. If a battery be already over two years old and the idle period will be a year or longer, 'the possibility of maintaining it in working condition is doubtful. The more optimistic should, however, give each battery a freshening charge, preferably at regular intervals of four to six weeks. (Continuous charging at very low rates is unadvisabie for pro tracted periods). A trickle charger, however, can be used for the purpose, and where not available, arrangements should be made with a local agent. Batteries should be kept clean externally and regularly topped up with distilled water.
Ups and Downs of HE abnormal winter of Temperature Lead to 1 1946-47 and the summer of Road Troubles . . . 1947 have given many a head ache to local surveyors all over the country. Not only have road surfaces been disintegrated by frost and flood, but even the usually placid concrete roads have become temperamental. Longitudinal seams have gaped by as much as 2 ins., whilst some cross-sections have risen so much above their neighbours that it has been necessary to " bevel " the junctions with ramps of tar macadam.