• DOUBLING GEAR CHANGE ON FORD CHASSIS.
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A New Auxiliary Fitting of Simple and Ingenious Construction.
rilliOSE users who have had experi ence with the Ford oneion chassis, and particularly those owners whose vehicles work in hilly districts, wilb ungrudgingly acknowledge that in spite of its unquestioned utility and general eitieiency this make of vehicle possesses one shortcoming in that it is only fitted with two speeds, which, as might naturally be expected, are lower than in vehicles which are provided with a greater range of gearing. The disadvantage of this feature is reflected in the reduced mileage capacity of the vehicle, its restricted hill-climbing c a p abilities, increased fuel consumption due to racing of engine and other factors which adversely affect the running and repair bills.
That there is no question as to the limitatious of the Ford chassis. is certainly indicated by the number of auxiliary gearboxes Which have been designed with the object of increasing the number of Ford speeds and thus extending its range of usefulness. One of the latest of these devices to make its appearance on the market ia the Worthmore gearbox, which has been designed by the Worthmore Motor Co., of 34, Victoria Street, London, S.W.1, for the express purpose of doubling the number of speeds of the Ford one-ton chassis.
The outstanding merit of the Worthmore gearbox is its simplicity. Its design is straightforward, and the ease and speed with which it can be incorporated In the existing transmission cannot fail to appeal to users desirous of securing the maximum efficiency from their light vans and lorries, The actual tools required to fit the new gearbox are two jacks, two small spanners, a pair of pliers and a a-in. spanner; and the operation merely consists in the disconnection of the @avian shaft and torque tube at each end and their replacement by the complete shaft, tube and box which form the Worthrnore unit: It is claimed that the gearbox gives a 40 per cent, increased speed over the Ford high-speed and a proportionate increase over the normal low speed, and gives four forward and two reverse speeds. The actual gear ratios are 20 to 1 on the Ford low gear, 12 to 1 on the auxiliary low gear, 71to 1 on the
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An exterior view of the Worthmore gearbox, showing its robust build and compact appearance. ... . .. •
Ford high gear, and 4.35 to 1 on -auxiliary high gear. There is also an 'addition of a neutral position which gives a free engine and afree back axle, and thus facilitates engine starting. Engine racing to changespeed is eliminated by the use of the Worthmore gearbox and, moreover, the difficulty of changing from low to high gear on hills is overcome. The low auxiliary gear should also prove useful as a brake when descending hills and when the Ford low speed greatly reduces the vehicle's progress. Our drawing affords an idea of the compactness of the gearbox and indicates its robust lines of construction. So far as the interior is concerned it simply consists of a copntershaft driven by constant-.
mesh gears, ,which are so arranged that the engine power can either be transmitted direct from driving to driven shaft by don's, or the two shafts may he separated and the driven shaft be turned through the layshaft gearing.
The gear-changing mechanism is simple. The lever is mounted on the lid of the gearbox easing, which can easily be removed to inspect the interior, and although it is pivoted to permit of a limited up-and-down movement the latter is governed by a. stout spiral spring in the box. The lower end of the lever engages a rectangular hollow which is formed on a lug on the sliding • part of the striking fork.
At the front end of the gearbox the main shaft runs.on roller bearings, and the spigot bearing receives a supply of lubricant through a hole in thia shaft. With this single exception the shafts run on ball bearings.
A 40 per cent, saving of fuel and a 40 per cent. increase in speed are two of the hold claims made by the company for the Worthmore gearbox, and the substantiation to be found for these claims in the many testimonials received is in itself a sore indication of the merits of this auxiliary fitting, more particularly_ when one remembers that its price is but. £25 10.s. complete with shaft and tube, of which sum 23 10s. is returnable if the user chooses to pass on to the Worthmore Motor Co, the displaced shaft and tube.