MAKING BEST USE OF THE FORD.
Page 53
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Valuable Advice on Every Phase of Ford Transport which will Appeal to the Owner, Driver and Repairer.
510.—Preventing the Hand Brake from Jumping.
A hint given on this page in a recent issue and under the above heading has brought an interesting reply from a reader, who states that the only reason for a hand brake "jumping" is that the pawl is not engaging the quadrant as it should do. This may be due to either the teeth on the quadrant (Part No. 3448R) being worn or to wear on the pawl itself. This can only be brought about by fair wear and tear, or by the side play in the controller shaft (Part No. 3449R) being so excessive as to allow the pawl either to miss the quadrant altogether or to utilize such a small portion of its bearing surface that premature wear takes place. Before making any alteration to any ch.assis it should be previously ensured that full advantage has been taken of the maker's design.
In this case the evil should be tackled at the root, and if the two controller-shaft brackets be renewed at each side of the controller shaft this will entirely eliminate all side play. It will also be noted that the pawl is practically twice the width of the quadrant, to counteract any flexibility of the frame.
A point also missed by the previous contributor is that if the side play is allowed to remain, the speed lever (part No. 3432), as the catalogue terms it, will also be out of alignment with the clutch-operating mechanism when sufficient wear has taken place, and the danger of the car jumping into gear when cranking need not be stressed. In any case, seeing that the. whole of the quadrant is ease-hardened, great • difficulty will be experienced in cutting and drilling it, if the remedy of the previous contributor be followed.
511.—The Fitting of Cushion Tyres.
Since the makers of the 1-ton truck have recently fitted cushion tyres to the rear wheels of the truck as alternative equipment, one can safely assume that to harmful results will follow this procedure.
For those who are considering the fitting of these tyres to the front of the vehicle as well, a few hints as to the course to be followed will be of interest. The hints given have been applied to a fleet of ono-tonners which has been operating with cushion tyres all round for the past three years, and the system has therefore been well tested.
If a gearbox be fitted, or there is any other supplementary fitment to enable a higher speed to be attained, a limit of 22-23 m.p.h. should be fixed, as above these speeds excessive vibration follows.
First, as to the radiator. Let the prime cost be the last, and fit one of the well-known cast-aluminium radiators now on the market, when trouble from this source may be forgotten. They are proof against the most vile vibration and always present a good appear
num Repairs can be carried out by the novice, and leaky tubes, which should not appear until after several years' service, can be replaced for about 9d. or 1s. each, and inserted in a very short time without the aid of anything else but a soldering iron and a screwdriver.
The only other alteration required to the standard chassis is the substitution of a solid steering rod in place of part No. 2717R. The old-type standard rod consisted of a piece of solid-drawn tube with the yoke brazed on to one end. In doing this it was necessary to drill a hole in the tube in order to let escape the gases formed during the brazing operation. This hole, unfortunately, is always drilled exactly in the centre of the rod, and all who have had any ex
perience with Fords will know that it was always at this point that fracture occurred, whether cushion tyres were fitted or not. Even those who do not contemplate the fitting of cushion tyres would do well to have this small hole welded to save trouble and, further, to ensure safety. Insurance policies do not always cover the damage caused by the outcome of a mechanical fracture.
The new-type rod now fitted consists of a seamed tube similar to electric light tubing, and therefore the fitting of a solid steering rod would appear to be more necessary than ever. This is made from a length of mild-steel rod 3 ft. 91 ins, long, screwed at one end for a distance of 24 ins. with 24 threads per inch. The yoke at the end of the standard must be removed in the fire, brazed on to the solid rod and pinned for safety.
The only other trouble which will be at all likely to manifest itself is a very occasional cracking of the surnp arm where it rests on the chassis, but this should not happen unless excessive speed be indulged in. In the event of this happening there is no used to remove the engine to effect ft repair. All motor houses dealing in Ford parts, or any Ford agent, will supply an emergency crankcase arm, price about 2s. 9d. or 3s., which can be fitted in lieu of the old one in about half an hour. Providing that these precautions are taken there is no reason why cushion tyres should not be fitted at the front as well as the rear.
512.—A Cause of Spitting.
A curious epitting from the carburetter air intake and a jerkiness when running can sometimes be traced to a dirty commutator. The reason is that the curpent is shorted across the dirt and a spark occurs in two cylinders simultaneously ; but there may be other reasons, and it Is possible that there is a short between two or more of the wires.
A fault which occasionally occurs in some forms of commutator is a small crack in the insulation, which, as it quickly becomes filled with dirt, forms a path for the current.
The only remedy in a case like this is to renew the faulty part, although temporary repairs have sometimes been effected by filling up such cracks with hot wax, such as that from the top of an ordinary lamp battery.
Shorting wires should be replaced immediately, but, if this be not possible, wrapping with insulating tape will effect a temporary cure.
513.—Use Good-quality Oil.
Buy a good grade of oil, and do not be tempted to save a few shillings by changing your brand if it be giving satisfaction. Put the money that traveller told you you would save into having your engine made thoroughly oil-tight. Fords have not such a thirst as people say, but they do not always hold their liquor well,