ACCESSORIES & FITTINGS
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for Light Vans.
Pyramid Wheels for Twin Pneumatic Tires.
There are many users of the larger class of light vans who, by reason of the goods carried, preferably run them on pneumatics. With these sometimes it is frequently advisable to use twin tires on the rear wheels. In such cases where existing equipment has to be converted, it will be found a good plan to specify the Sankey pyramid 'Twin Wheel. This is clesi,gned on the same lines as the steel wheels made by that well-known company, Joseph Sankey and Sons, Ltd.. Hadley Castle Works, Wellington, Shropshire, and is suitable for carrymg two pneumatics.
Adjustable Valve far Fords.
The Rejax Adjustable Ford Valves solve the difficulty of valve' adjustment and provide the same facility and accuracy in this .operation as are found on high-priced cars. Ordinarily, of course, when the Ford engine valve becomes worn, there is no easy way of remedying the defect. In consequence, the valve gear becomes noisy and a certain loss -of power results, owing to the fact that the valve is not fully open. These valves are sold complete with adjusters, but without springs at 21s. 6d. per set of eight valves. A single valve complete with adjusting nuts is obtainable for 3s., and the valve only, for purpose of renewal, 2s.
Duco Hand Cleanser.
We were recently presented by Brown Bros., Ltd., Great Eastern Street, E.C., with a sample of its Duco hand cleanser, which we are given to understand is a compound consisting in the main of pumice and soap, which together form a paste particularly suitable for removing grease and dirt from the hands. As shortly afterwards, in the course of a test, it became necessary for us to make some adjustments to a graphite-lubricated chain, we were afforded a very suitable opportunity for trying out the capabilities of this preparation. We have no hesitation, as a result of that test, in making this note a personal recommendation of it.
With the Duco hand cleanser, we had no dculty in quickly restoring our hands to the normal condition of cleanliness, and, moreover, the material has no harmful effects upon the skin. It is put up* in 1 lb. tins sold at 60, each.
Petrol Economy.
In general, unless the driver en ployed is a particularly intelligen one, it is not as a rule, advisable t recommend him to interfere wit the carburetter setting as turne out from the works. Sometime: however, adjustment becomes nem: sary, either owing to derangemen having occurred during overhaul.
If the carburetter is a Zenith, am the chances are that such is tie case, then Booklet No. 5, which w, understand can bo• had on request will be of assistance. It describe the principle of the carburetter, am from that proceeds to give instruc tions for adjustment. Applicatioi should be made to the Zenith Car buretter Co., Ltd., 4042, Newmai Street, London, W.
Stentophone Ford Wheels.
Some recent and notable im. provements have been made in the design of the Stentophone Ford Wheel Conversion Set. In thesE wheels, either a six or three-nui system can be had as desired. In the former, there are six bolts in the hub flange, and it is necessary to undo six nuts before the wheel can be removed ; in the latter, as its name implies three only are permanently attached to the hub, although there are six bolts in all, the other three being used to clamp the inner and outer plates to the wheel. The arrangement, however, is such that while all the six bolts actually take the driving strain, only three nuts have to be removed to free the wheel. The gain in accessibility which should be a paramount feature of any detachable wheel is obvious ; that it should be possible without loss of other features of consequence is matter for congratulation both to the maker and the user.
The improvement consists of replacing the older type of inner plate, which was merely a, disc in which the six holes for the bolts were drilled, by one with bearings or bosses formed integral with it. These bosses are on that side of the disc which comes next to the wooden part of the wheel, and do not form unsightly projections whieh might collect dirt and grease. Proper provision being made in the design of the wheels for their reception, they serve rather to increase the efficiency of the outfit.
In our illustration; we show a plate and stud belonging to a wheel on which the three-nut system is used. It will be seen that round three of the stud holes are raised bosses and there is also another boss which forms a bearing for the wooden huh of the wheel. These bosses are stamped out from the solid plate, and are consequently at maximum strength. t3pecial studs are made to fit the holes thus formed, which are tapered, consequently additional strength is obtained in the studs. Reference to our illustration will greatly assist the reader in understanding the principle and nature of these ireproveraenth.
Prices are 26 and 25 respectively per set, the six-nut .system being the dear one.
Emergency Brakes for Ford Vans.
Brown Bros., Ltd., of Great Eastern Street, London, E.C., has placed on the market an equipment for Ford vans which consists of two duplex contracting brakes, 81 ins. diameter by LA in. wide, lined with Raybestos. These fit outside the brake drums on Ford wheels and provide a useful set for emergency work. They are operated through the medium of wire ropes, and act with equal efficiency in either direction.
The C.A.V. Dynamo.
One of our illustrations this week is of the compact and neat C.A.V. variable-speed dynamo. This is the one which forms part of the• equipment described in our issue of 12th October last. It is fitted with a free wheel pulley machined with a V groove for link leather belting. It is interesting to note in this latter connection that the C.A.V. Co. have proved that leather belts formed of links attached to one another by steel ties are the best for this class of work. Such a belt is supplied at .2s. 11d, per foot, plus 7!„ per cent, war increase. It can be made up to any required length and is readily adjustable. The fastening is simple, and uniform with the chain construction.
Bluemel Pumps.
Notwithstanding the prevalence of the custom of carrying spare wheels or spare tires, there is still at times the chance that the tire may have to be repaired, or at least, reinflated on the road. In such a case, a, good pump is half the battle. That one marketed by Bluemel Bros., Ltd., of Wolston, Coventry, is perhaps as good as any in this regard. The company has a reputation of long-standing in connection with this class of goods, commencing as it did in 1860, and dealing, first, of course, with cycle accessories.
That pump recommended for van work is a triple-action pump, well made in metal, with folding feet and detachable handle, the barrel
being covered with black celluloid which gives it a very smart appearance. Each one is.furnished with a gauge registering up to 100 lb. per sq. in., and a good braided connection fitted witha well-made swivel.
Correct Lubrication.
Owing to the risk with such fuels as paraffin and several of the petrol
substitutes now being so freely used, of their passing the engine pistons and thinning out the crankcase lubricant, the Matter of selecting a suitable oil has probably not for some time received so much at,r tendon as it is doing at present. Our own belief is that the best method of procedure is to use a first-class quality oil and to renew it frequently, say, at the end of every four or five hundred miles instead of every thousand.
As an aid to choosing a suitable oil, a couple of booklets issued by the Vacuum Oil Co., Ltd., of Caxton House, Westminster, can be recommended. The company is, of course, one which has had long experience in all Matters affecting lubrication of motor vehicles. It manufactures and supplies oil suitable for almost any condition of working. 713.hese booklets,. besides giving useful advice on the choice of oil, also contain a lot of information which would be of assistance to the driver in the operation of his vehicle. We understand that they will be supplied, free of charge, to any bona-fide inquirer.
A Nest-o.Cups Silencer.
The van user who is faced with a loss of power for which he cannot discover the source may eventually find that a choked silencer is the cause of his difficulties. Although modern chassis are not prone to this trouble, there are many converted cars in use for commercial purposes with old-fashioned silencers, which may give offence in this respect. The difficulty is generally due to the use of silencer tubes fitted with a number of small holes which throttle the gas. Bailey's " Nest-o-Cups " silencer can in such cases be satisfactorily substituted. As our illustration shows, there are no holes of a. size that Can possibly become choked. The silencer, as its name implies, is built up of a number of steel i stampings n the form of cups. Each of these stampings has one large hole in it about equal to the size of the silencer inlet, The cups are so disposed that consecutive holes are at opposite sides of the silencer, and the gases are in consequence forced to travel in a zigzag path from end to end, and thus have time to expand and cool before issuing.
The silencer is made in four standard sizes, the prices being from 24s. to 40s. complete, at the works of Sir W. H. Bailey and Co., Ltd., Albion Works. Salford.