Contributions from Drivers and Mechanics.
Page 19
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TEN SHILLINGS WEEKLY for the Best Communication Received, and One Penny a Line of ten words for any thing else published.
Drivers of commercial-motor vehicles and 1m-tors, and mechanics and foremen of garages or shops, are invited to send short contributions on any subject which is likely to prove of interest to Our readers. Workshop tips and smart repairs ; long and successful runs ; interesting photographs : all are suitable subjects. Send a post-card, or a letter, or a sketch to us—no matter how short, or how written, or how worded. We will "knock it into shape" and prepare sketches, where necessary, before publication. The absence of a sketch does not disqualify for a prize. When writing use one side of the paper only and mention your employer's name as a guarantee of bona fides. Neither your own nor your employer's name will be disclosed. Payment will be made immediately after publication. Address your letters to The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR, 7-15, Rosehery Avenue, London, E.C.
Will Reach You Before Xmas.
We hope to be able to despatch by the end of this week the COMMERCIAL MOTOR binding covers, which we, in our last issue, announced as consolation awards to a number of contributors to this page. The cash awards have already been sent to the winners.
An Ingenious Winter Tread that is Quickly Removable.
The sender of the following communication has been awarded the Ws. prize this week.
[072] " J.G.A." (Newcastle-on-Tyne) writes :— " Now the winter is with us, we steam-wagon drivers expect to have our usual difficulties with regard to slipping on snow and ice. Last winter I devised a scheme, which, however, I was not able to put to a thorough extended test, because time snow gave out when I had got it completed, but I inteud to give it a very much longer trial this winter, if there is any chance and the weather turns out suitable. I will explain the idea as best I can in a few words, and your readers will be able to see what I mean by examination of the sketch which I enclose. [We have had this redrawn.—En.]
'it must be understood by your readers that the sketch shows how I think it should be made, but, of course, it is possible that many improvements on this may be suggested. I only used an old ordinary belt when I tried it. This, however, should be of the width of the road wheels—say, about 10 in. It should run over a loose pulley which is mounted on a spindle carried in a bracket in such a way that the
belt can be tightened as necessary. A shrouded pulley should be used for this purpose, and a flange or some other method of locating the belt on the road wheel, such, for instance, as that used with certain types of silent chains, should be embodied in the
back wheel. A fin of leather or metal might be
made down the back of the belt, and this might engage in a slot round the rim of the road wheel, so as to secure location. 1 think the proper way to make this arrangement would be to have an ordinary tough belt with rubber blocks suitably mounted on it."
Dust in Engines, and How to Keep it Out.
[973] " E.T.B." (Warrington) writes :—" I am confident that more than a few of your readers, and drivers of commercial vehicles generally, have had trouble at some time or other through dust finding its way into the engine and working parts. The man who protects his engine and other working parts from dust will obtain the best results with the least amount of trouble. On some few engines this is done.
"I have personally had considerable experience with all classes of cars from 6 h.p. up to powerful touring cars and heavy commercial vehicles, and I have consequently given this dust question careful consideration. In my opinion, the principal cause lies with the chief air supply to the carburetter. The supply pipe invariably has a wide mouth in close proximity to the exhaust, and dust, which gets to the engine through the radiator and other apertures, is being continually drawn down into the carburetter the whole time the car is being driven on the road.
"Sonic carburetters are affected much more than others, owing to their construetion, but, practically speaking, all are affected to some degree. Many mysterious faults in engines, etc., can, I am sure, be attributed to dust—valves, newly ground in, becoming leaky, bad conipression, unwarrantable wear of cylinders, ignition and carburetter trouble. it is not necessary to enter into detail in each case. The dust enters the main induction pipe, passes through the valves, and the result is obvious.
" T have from time to time dismantled a great number of engines, and have, generally speaking, always found dust in the valve pockets, etc., but I have now adopted a small fitment on my own engine, which is simple yet quite effective. It consists of a brass cap with a fine gauze end, made to fit the end or the main air inlet or hot air pipe. I find, from practical use, that, whilst preventing any dust from passing, it does not interfere with the air supply to any great extent, in fact, any such defect is easily rectified by adjustment of the auxiliary air inlet.
"After running an engine so fitted for some considerable time, over all classes of roads, under all conditions, the cylinders were removed, with the result that no deposit was found in the pockets, and the valves were less pitted. "I am confident that any of your readers who make and use one of these fitments will not regret. having done so, as the improved conditions and running of the engine will more than repay them."