MAKING BEST USE OF THE FORD.
Page 24
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Valuable Advice on Every Phase of Ford Transport, Which will Appeal to the Owner, Driver and Repairer.
IN THIS series of hints concern_Ling the Ford light chassis and ton truck, we endeavour to deal with the subject from every viewpoint, so that the advice will appeal to the owner, driver, maintenance engineer or mechanic.
We shall welcome for inclusion among the hints those which have proved of value to individual users, and will make suitable remuneration for any which are published.
361.—Using the Battery for Igniti on.
It may sometimes be necessary, or advisable, to use the battery for operating the ignition coils, as, for instance, when the magneto is weak or damaged and starting thus rendered difficult. On Ford models a special switch is provided for the purpose, but in earlier models this is not the case. However, one can easily be installed in the manner shown in the diagram. Even It no battery be utilized on the vehicle, a good ignition dry battery can be employed, but this should not be used for long periods at a time; only an accumulator is suitable for such Purposes.
When connecting the accumulator or battery, fix it securely to the frame, from which it must be well insulated, then earth the negative wire by connecting it to the frame. Take the other front wire and connect it to the yellowcovered wire that will be found under the switch on the dashboard. With the battery as a source of supply, care must be taken that the switch is not left onwhile the motor is at rest ; otherwise, the battery may be completely discharged through the coils.
362.—An Extra-air Valve and Brake.
An interesting type of extra-air valve which also provides air to assist the engine in its braking actiqn when descending hills and prevents lubricating oil from being drawn up into the cylinders, has been designed by Mr. Charles Baxter, A.M.I.Mech.E., and has now been marketed for some months past by Stentaphone, Ltd., Ombersley Road, Birmingham. The details of this device can be gathered from the drawing which we reproduce. The air valve proper is a cmical plug ground in its seating, so that when it is shut the slow running of the engine is not affected in any manner. The air brake valve is so adjusted that the throttle lever just touches it as it closes, and this at Once admits the full induction pipe suction to the valve chamber, causing the valve to open wide instantly, thus not only
cooling the engine, but assisting the braking action. A very clear air passage is provided by the air valve proper, and the opening is governed by the spring tension which can be altered by the driver. Normally, the device is sent out set to open at 16 m.p.h. The valve itself can, if required, be fitted to the dash, the only connections required being the main air pipe and a i-in, tube for the suction.
An important point to notice is that, normally, great difficulty is experienced in connection with carburation due to the mixture becoming stronger as the _suction increases, and the fitting of a device of this type should overcome any such difficulty, whilst the dilution of the mixture prevents the formation of carbon deposit.
363.—Getting Home with a Broken Axle Shaft.
One of the most annoying -roadside troubles is that of the breakage of an axle shaft, as this involves either the fitting of a new axle shaft on the road —a somewhat difficult operation—or the use of a cradle upon which the rear portion of the vehicle can be supported. Such a cradle is not always available, but it is usually possible to obtain a tow, and a method of securing the wheel and shaft to enable advantage to be taken of a tow will certainly prove of interest.
First, find out which shaft is broken, then remove the wheel and key froin it and wedge suitably tapered pieces of wood between the axle shaft and the roller (wood meat-skewers are just about the right size), and these should be tapped in until the shaft is quite tight.
Now smother with grease the projecting portion of the axle shaft and return the wheel, but without the key, the nut to be put on loosely, but splitpinned to prevent it from shaking off.
It will now be found that the wheel will run quite freely on the shaft and the vehicle is ready for towing. Ten miles have been covered quiteeasily in this way and without apparent damage to the wheel hub, but we would advise stoppages , every few miles to lubricate the parts, particularly if the vehicle be laden.
364.—Another Towing Hint.
A good deal of damage may be done to Ford vehicles if they require to be towed over any considerable distance through the breakage of a crankshaft, and not only may the engine receive further damage, but harm may also be done to the clutch plates unless some provision be made for carrying out the tow with the clutch mechanism completely out of commission. Itmust be understood that towing with the clutch merely disengaged has one insuperable drawback, viz., that no oil is likely to circulate on the plate faces, since the flywheel, which is the source of supply, should remain stationary.
The friction developed over the unlubricated surfaces may eventually cause them to seize and not only damage them, but aggravate the internal damage in the engine.
There is one method of towing which is suggested as the only safe procedure in circumstances of this kind, and that is to tow with the keys removed fioni the axle-shaft tapers and with the wheels left loose or a working fit on these tapers, as described in the preceding paragraph. The speed when towing should be kept down to a maximum of 20 m.p.h.
365.—An Improved Slow-speed Connection.
In paragraph No. 327 one of our contributors referred to the sudden stoppage of an engine through the slow-speed connection coming adrift. Another of our readers had similar trouble with one of the Ford vehicles under his charge, and he solved this by cutting the threaded end off the connection, using the piece with the
threads on to couple two devises together, the resulting connection being just long enough to take all the play out of the low-speed pedal and making a much better job. Two pins are employed in this case instead of the one in the standard connection.