ACCESSORIES a FITTINGS Li g ht Vans.
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An Accelerator Pedal Fitting for a Ford Van.
One of the special advantages of the Ford as a commercial van is its simplicity of operation and its handiness in traffic. One control fitting, however, of general use on modern motor vehicles, which is missing from the Ford, is the accelerator pedal. It may be-urged that there are pedals enough on this chassis, but as a matter of fact for the normal running of the van the reverse pedal may almost be considered not to exist. When actually engaged in manceuvring to and fro is the only thne when it is in use. It is not surprising, therefore, that an attempt has been made to remedy the defect. The illustration at the bottom of this page shows a standard fitting marketed by Brown Bros., Ltd., known as the Eto foot accelerator for Ford cars., Its particular utility is, of course, principally apparent when driving through traffic. It can be attached in a very short time with the minimum of trouble. Ready for fixing, it costs only half a guinea.
The Magneto Spanner.
When magnetos are delivered to the works, a small spanner, which is essential when adjustments of the contact bTeaker are necessary, is usually enclosed in a small linen bag together with the terminals. This bag is tied to .the magneto itself. If the spanner could be so disposed throughout the life of the magneto, it would always be available in case of need, and there would be no need for this paragraph nor for the accessory which it concerns. Unfortunately, this desirable arrangement cannot be effected, and although we know of one or two instances where the driver has added to his toolbox a special receptacle for this light spanner, in the great majority of cases it is, within a short time, lost. The tool which Brown Bros. is selling as a magneto pocket tool is useful as a spanner, as a gauge for setting the gap for the opening between the platinum points, as a file for trueing up and cleaning those points. It is provided with a suitable screw-driver blade, so that the screw holding the contact breaker may be removed, permitting of renewals, and also allows of adjustment or removal of the platinum points tkiemselves. It is of the same size as a pocket knife, can be conveniently carried in the waistcoat pocket and costs only 2s.
A New Split Pin.
There are few motorists wild have not from time to time experieneed the difficulty of dividing the halves of a split pin after it has been placed in position. Generally, when putting in 4. split pin, the driver, mechanic, or whoever he is, is faced with one of two alternatives. Either he may so arrange the bolt that the split pin can readily be entered, in which case, more often than not, he will find the outer end of the split pin extremely inaccessible, or he may so arrange matters that when in, the end of the split pin which is to be opened is accessible, but generally in such a case it will be almost impossible for him to push the pin through the hole provided for it. There is also a third possibility, that it may be as difficult to push the pin in as it is to open it out when in place. The hammer-locked split pin, which is another of Brown Bros.' specialities, is a selfopening one. As our illustration shows, one leg of the pin is slightly longer than the other, and is bent over at the end. The points are tapered, so that there IR no difficulty in placing the pin in position. After insertion, it is only necessary to hammer lightly upon the head of the pin, when the short leg will push against the turned-over end of the other one and force the ends apart. Removal by means of a screw-driver, in the manner shown in our illustration, is simple.