Answers to Queries.
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American Carburetter Inquiry.
[2655] .(Milnrow).—You can obtain particulars of the Holley carburetter, as fitted to the Chase motor, from the Chase agents, St. George's Motor Co., Ltd., 16, Fulham Roadie London, S.W.
Particulars on the Side of the Van.
[2656] (Accrington).—It is necessary for you to have the following particulars painted on the side of your vehicle : the Unloaded weight of the van and chassis complete ; the weight on the front axle when loaded ; and also • the weight on the rear axle, loaded. In regard to the permissible speed, you may run at 20 m.p.h.
The Constituents of Denatured Alcohol.
[2857] (Sheffield).—Replying to your query regarding the constituents of denatured alcohol, this spirit, in order to be sold for general use to the public, requires to have mixed with it some kind of spirit (usually methyl hydrate) which renders it non-potable —hence the name "methylated." You should certainly have no trouble in procuring a small quantity from any chemist, and in the instance for which you desire to use this medium we would suggest that you ask that turps or benzine be not used in diluting the alcohol, as these spirits only tend to set up a carbon deposit, which is quite contrary to what you have in view.
Home-made Metal Polish.
[2658] (Brighteye).—You will probably find that one of the well-advertised metal polishes is as cheap for your purpose as anything you can make, but, if you persist in your desire to produce your own metal polish, you can do Go by a suitable mixture of whiting and finely-powdered pumice, held in solution with solar oil. Crocus is also very good for polishing any metal of less hardness than iron. It may be made into hard cakes by mixing with lard, suet, or tallow. The tallow should be first melted, andqhen as much crocus stirred into it as it will conveniently hold. This will make a hard cake when cold. If a paste is necessary, soft soap should be used instead of the tallow :and •aeeniall percentage of common oil should be mixed with it.
Alleged Extraordinary-traffic Damage to a Highway.
[2859] (Irish County).—An action for damage, due to alleged extraordinary traffic, generally involves so many questions of fact that it is difficult to give an opinion at a distance. As the law stands, the county surveyor will have to prove that your traffic with a motor char-aebancs has been the only traffic of the kind along the road in question, and he will have to prove that the road has been reasonably maintained to meet the requirements of the traffic of the district. In some eases, the result is affected by the date of last repair of the highway, and the mariner in which it was then repaired, because the Courts are inclined to hold the view that a county surveyor must show intelligent regard for current developments of traffic in or neer the neighbourhood concerned. Hence, if the road has been repaired with ordinary waterbound macadam at a date within, say, the last four years, instead of with tar-boundnacadam, it might be held that the Council, through its surveyor, had not carried out its obligations properly. It is no good your relying upon the practice in other counties, or in England, because the Ian marrows down such defence absolutely to the traffic of the district, and even to the traffic of the particular roads in some cases.
You -will not do wisely .to rely upon decisions in other cases, and you certainly ought to Obtain the attendance of a competent expert and engineer, with road experience, to help you in your defence As a preliminary, vou mieht send to the.Secretan of the Commercial Motor Users Association, 83, Pall Mall,
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London, S.W.' for, one of that body's extraordinarytraffic particulars forms, although we doubt if the Associateon will be agreeable to help you in the matter unless you are already a member. It cannot very well be expected to take any new members who have got cases of this kind "round their necks."
Carburetter Troub!e. • [2660] (Battle).—Your trouble is probably the common one of air leaks between jet and inlet valves, and we suggest that you go carefully over all the joints, and make good any of the packings which may have deteriorated in use.
If, when you have done this, you do not note any improvement, you might take down the carburetter and carefully clean it. The starting jet on the Solex is governed by a ball valve. If there isdirt on the seating for the ball, and the valve is thereby held open, then this will destroy the suction on the auxiliary jet. Under these circumstances, you will consequently not have a sufficiently rich mixture on which to start the engine.
Trouble with the Injector on a Foden Wagon. [2661] (Mills).—The trouble on your Foden wagon probably arises from one of the following causes.
(a) The inner cone of the injector may be slightly out of shape, and if this be so the jet will not be quite direct, but will be diverted sideways slightly. This would not have much effect up to such a pressure, for instance, as 100 lb., but above that it would be detrimental.
(b) It is possible that the taper cone is not screwed up quite tight, and that there may be a slight leak past it. This would also have a similar effect to that described above.
(c) The only other solution we can offer in the absence of an inspection is that the inlet to the boiler may be choked, and the full pressure of the injector may not have effect.