For DRIVERS, MECHANICS & FOREMEN.
Page 21
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A PRIZE OF TEN ShILLING S is awarded each week to the sender of the best letter which we publish on this page ; all others are paid for at the rate of a penny a. lane, with an allowance for photographs. All -notes are edited before being published. Mention your employer's name, in confidence, as evidence of good faith, Address, D. Ai; and F., The Commercial Motor," 7-15, Resebery Avenue-, London, E.C. 1.
Lamps Alight.
On Saturday, April 19th, light your lamps at 8.30 in London, 9.3 in Edinburgh, 8.25 in Newcastle, 8.39 in 'Liverpool', 8.36 in Birmingham, 8.40 in Bristol, and 9:23 in Dublin.
An Ingenious Ford Tip.
The sender of the following communication has been awarded the 10s. prize this week.
[1962] " E.O.W." (Smethwick) writes: "I have taken considerable interest in the hints and tips for Ford van users which have been running in your columns now for some time, and I have also noticed the occasional letters on the same subject which from time to time appear on your D.M. and F.' pages. The following little experience is, I think, entirely novel.
"We have sevenal Ford chassis, and one is a one-. ton vehicle built by fitting a conversion outfit to an existing chassis. The latterias it happens is of a very old type, and it is impossible to start the engine without an accumulator, although it will runkluite well on its own magneto after it has started. One a.ay I happened to be out with one of our Foad vehicles, and came across this particular machine some distance from the garage with the engine stopped, and unable to restart, as the accumulator and run out. As it was too far for me to consider going back to the garage for another accumulator, I adopted the following expedient. "It is a well known fact that the Ford magneto provides more current than the ignition coils actu ally need. I therefore ran my van alongside the other one, and taking two lengths of insulated wire, I connected one from the magneto terminal on my van to the accumulator on the ignition coil of the other. With the second wire I coupled a convenient earth on the other engine to some similar point. of my own. I then started my own engine. On moving . the switch ion the other van over to the accumulator side, it proved possible to start the other engine from the magneto of my vehicle. Having \started the other engine, all that was necessary was to switch over to the magneto and remove the wires. Of course, the other driver had henceforth to remember that he must nit stop his engine until he reached home and could have another accumulator fitted."
A Valve-grinding Tip and a Suggestion re Valve• Design.
[1963] "H.J.0." (Chiswick) writes :—" Another use for magnetized tools is in connection with valve grinding. Generally, when a vehicle comes in and only needs the valves grinding in, the preliminary and most difficult part of the job is getting the valves out of the cylinders. The valve caps are first removed and then the spring cotters and collars. Then the fun starts—getting the valve high enough in the cylinder so as to be able to get hold of it and lift it clear while the spring is removed. The tools which I use for the purpose are just the same old screw-driver and grinding-in brace, only the screwdriver is magnetized. Now with this tool all that is necessary is to remove the cotters.: let the springs and collars rest on the tappets. Put in your magnetized screw-driver and up comes the valve for examination. Leave the spring and its collar 'where it is. You can then get on with the grinding, lifting the valve occasionally for examination. "Whilst on the subject of valves, I would like to make a suggestion to makers with regard to the screw-driver slot which is provided in the valve for the purpose of grinding it in. I suggest that this slot be made a little deeper and much shorter, nat tapered off right across the top of the valve as is customary. 11 it were made as shown in the accompanying sketch (whicli we have had redrawn.—En.) a narrow screw-driver could be used, and there could be no fear of it slipping off sideways, scratching the top of the valve, as frequently happens. Alternatively, makers might drill a small hole in the centre of the top of the valve, * in. diameter and IA in. deepA. special tool could then be provided with .a projecting nipple in the centre so as to position with the screw-driver."
Increasing the Life of Piston Rings.
[1964] " A.C." (Hull) writes :—" The accompanying sketch [which we have had redra,wn.—En.] explains a simple and effective method of obtaining longer life and better wear from piston rings. The idea was originally carried out on a steam wagon, but later on the same thing was tried in a motorcycle engine both with good results.
"Take off the old rings and, in the case of a petrol engine, thoroughly clean off all carbon deposit. Procure a -piece of old clock spring, preferably from an alarm clock (this can usually be picked up cheap at a marine store dealers). Cut off .a piece about the same length as the ring, allowing for the same amount of expansion. Fit the clock spring inside the ring with the joint opposite to that of the piston ring. A. little adjustment may be necessary, as very likely the ring may be found to be a little bit too large with the spring in position. If that is the
case it will be found that cutting a little off the piece of spring will give the required result