A SELECTION OF IDEAS.
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Helpful Suggestions by our Driver and Mechanic Readers
AA N oily engine, which also could only 4 iMp.g., in a 5-ton chassis fell to the lot of " P.J.M.," of London, 8.W.11 ; added to these troubles was a sight tendency to boil. He decided to try the experiment of adding a proportion of damp air to the mixture supplied to the cylinders, and claims that all his troubles have been overcome by this means.
The radiator header tank is drilled at the highest Point above the overflow pipe and a union fitted, to which a *-in. diameter pipe is fixed. This is taken round the water pipe in two turns to retain the heat of the watery vapour and leads to another union fixed to the highest point of the induction pipe. The boiling tendency is taken advantage of by drawing the hot, steamy air from the top of the radiator tank into the engine. and by means of increasing the efficieecy of combustion, the fuel consumption is reduced, also the tendency to nil up is obviated.
It is essential that the union in the radiator be fitted at the highest point in order to prevent sucking water into the induction pipe. " P.J.M." does not stale whether a tap be fitted in the pipe. but it would appear to be necessary, in view of the fact that a direct section of air will take plaed when starting the engine, and no doubt the mixture will be upset unless a tap be inserted which can be turned to the " off " position to cut out the extra air.
THE, tip of pulling a wheel from it axle by means of the use of a bottle jack and a chain, is known by a large number of drivers. For those who do not remember the scheme " G.O.P.," of Kings Norton, describes it. First the hub cap is taken, off and the wheellocking mechanism dismantled: A length a chain is required which can be passed through the wheel spokes and fastened thereto at each end by means of bolts. The length of the chain should be sufficient to allow the jack to be placed on end between the chain and the end of the axle, allowing for a distance piece to prevent the jack head having to bear directly upon the end of the axle shaft.
When this rig is in position screw up the. jack, i.e., turn it in the direction required for raising a vehicle, which applies -force to the wheel spokes and draws the wheel outwards.
IN the case of an engine with a detach able cylinder head, " F.A.W." found one of the studs had pulled out owing to a corner of the cylinder block breaking away across the stud hole. To overcome the trouble he drilled the hole deeper than it was originally and tapped it out. Next he clamped the broken corner in position and drilled a fin. hole to 1-in depth, this hole being concentric with the stud hole. Next he made a special stud, having its ends fin. in diameter, with a collar that fitted in the in, hole, one end screwing in the cylinder block and the other passing through the cylinder head in the normal manner. The collar kept the broken portion tightly in position, and by means of some jointing material poured into the hole when assembling, " F.A.W." claims that he made an absolutely sound job. TAR is a road material widely used at the present time, but one of its most unpleasant features is the harmful effect it has on the varnished surfaces of vehicles. If wrong methods of removal he employed the surface may be further spoiled, says "D.McG.," of Benbecula.
Butter rubbed on is an old remedy, but its use requires a large amount of time.. The best recipe, states our contributor, is to get a tin of cocoanut oil and a small dry rag. Place a teaspoonful of oil on the rag and gently rub it on to the tar. The rubbing should be continued and when the tar has absorbed some of the oil it will soften and by continued working be removed without damage to the underlying surface. A final polish should be given to remove the oil.
Cleaning glass is not as simple as it would appear, and "D.hicG." gives some hints in this connection. Those who have to clean the windows and windscreens of large commercial motor vehicles often find that their labours result in an indifferentfinish. A preparation should be made of equal parts of methylated spirits and glycerine and rubbed on to the glass, after which it is left for a time. Polishing should next be carried out, using a soft, dry cloth. The glycerine prevents the glass steaming or becoming blurred with rain; both inside and outside surfaces should be treated.
Another preparation consists of a handful of French chalk sifted as finely as possible and mixed into a paste with glycerine. This is smeared over the glass and then polished off with a rag. If lumps are allowed to exist in the chalk scratches will result when polishing the glass.
IN very eold-weather difficulty is often
found in turning the engine of te heavy vehicle quickly enough to get the magneto to spark, or to obtain a sufficiently good spark to ignite the moist mixture in the cylinders.
" C.A.S.," of Wortley, describes a method which, although many know it, many likewise are not aware of it. A good length of rope is taken and a loop made in it, which is passed over the starting handle. The available men, with the exception of one, then divide themselves equally and go to the ends of the rope, pulling an the ends alternately as if it were a tug-o'-war, the odd man in the meantime seeing that the starting handle is kept firmly pressed in aganst the dogs and helping to turn the handle over the dead-centre points—that is, at three and nine o'clock—when the pulls of the respective teams cannot turn the handle round .without help.
With so much strength applied to the handle at once a fairly high speed of revolution can be obtained and a certain start is afforded, so long as the engine is in good mechanical condition. Another use for this plan is when engines have been overhauled and the bearings are too stiff to permit of easy starting.