MAKING BEST USE OF THE FORD. •
Page 15
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Valuable Advice on Every Phase of Ford Transport, Which Will Appeal to the Owner, Driver and Repairer.
IN THIS series of hints concerning the Ford light chassis and ton truck wherever they are employed for commercial purposes, we endeavour to deal with the subject from every view-point, so that the advice given will appeal to the owner, driver, maintenance engineer or mechanic.
We shall welcome for inclusion among the hints those which have proved of value to individual users, and will make suitable remuneration for any published. What we desire are the results of practice. Readers are recommended to obtain the original " Book of the Ford," which constitutes a complete manual dealing with the Ford car, the van and the truck. 28. 9d, post free from the offices of this Journal.
194. — How to Remove Bushes from Steering
Pivots.
The removal of the bushes from the steering pivots, when the time conies for those bushes to be removed, is a difficult operation. The pivot diameter is not large, and it is in consequence no easy matter to find. a, tool by which the inside edge of the first bush can be reached, so that it can be propelled outwards. When one bush is out, the removal of the other is, comparatively, a simple affair.
One way of doing the job is to make use of a special drift, or expanding mandrel. A steel pin, in. diameter and not less than 5 ins, long, will serve for this purpose. It should be tapered at one end, as shown in the sketch, to facilitate its entry into the bushes. Two diagonal cuts should be made in the other end, at right angles to one another and t in. deep, and a hole, in. diameter should be made in. the centre of the same end, penetrating to a depth of about an inch.
An expanding pin must next be made, from a piece
steel bar, 2i ins. long.
The method of use will he almost apparent from the sketch. The mandrel is first inserted into the hole for the pivot pin, and is pushed or pulled in until the slotted and drilled end has passed through one of the bushes, and is located in the enlarged space which lies between the two bushes. The expander is then driven into the mandrel, opening out its upper end, which will then refuse to pass the second bush, so that withdrawing the mandrel brings the bush out also. Having got one bush out, the removal of the other, as has already been stated, is a simple matter.
When the mandrel and bush are out of the axle, it is easy enough to knock the bush off the mandrel, the expanded end of which must then be closed up again, either by the use of a vice or with a hammer, so that it is ready for further use.
As a precaution against either expander or mandrel seizing, both should be greased or oiled before being used. This is a thing which would be done almost automatiftlly by the old hand, but which would not occur to a novice.
The use of expanding mandrels of this type is nob' confined to Ford vehicles, as they may prove invaluable in many_ awkward situations.
195.—Starting Obstinate Engines from Others Already Running.
In cases where several vehicles are garaged together the following hint may be found of great value in assisting the starting of those engines in the fleet which have proved stubborn so far as starting is concerned.
The trouble is often the result of insufficient current being produced by the Ford magneto at cranking speed.
Having started the best engine of the vehicles in the garage, a length of flexible insulated cable is connected to the stator terminal of this Ford, the other end of the wire being connected to the stator terminal of the non-starter, care being taken to leave in position the wire that leads to the coils. It will now he seen that with the first engine running a strong current is travelling along the flexible wire to the second engine, thus ensuring an immediate start providing that no other faults exist.
196.--A New Automatic Air Valve.
An interesting type of extra-air valve has just been designed by Mr. Charles Baxter, the works manager of the Stentophone Motor Accessories, Ltd., Ombersley Road, Birmingham.
Not all drivers and users favour such a device, but it often proves of service where the petrol consumption is excessively heavy. Where the device has to be operated by hand, it sometimes becomes a nuisance, and is more often neglected than otherwise, and bearing this in mind, the designer has made the new air valve automatic.
The arrangement of the valve, together with the method by which it is adapted to the needs of the Ford engine, is clearly shown in our sketch. The existing jet regulator is replaced by a hollow one, and the valve is bolted between the carburetter and the inlet pipe.
Within the casing of what might be termed the valve-operating chamber is a diaphragm, and the suction exerted on this diaphragm, when sufficient to overcome the resistance of a spring, raises it etogether with the plunger which normally prevents the air from entering.
Adjustment is provided by a setscrew in the upper portion of the casing, which relieves the vacuum to the extent required. The • effect of the vacuum is communicated gradually to the diaphragm through the small valve shown in the centre of the drawing, the valve for this purpose not being an accurate fit on its seating.
A special connection is provided so that the valve can be used to admit water vapour if desired, and this is a feature which will appeal to nany who believe in the efficacy of such vapour.