MOTORS AND MOTORING

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 299, 6 September 1918, Page 9

MOTORS AND MOTORING

(By. "Clutch,")

Treatnwnt of Springs. Unless the loaves of the car springs can slido easily one tipou tho other, the springing of the vehicle will become choppy, which in itself is sufficient to sot 'up undue wear of the tyres. Ihe wheel is caused to bounce, and cases have been known where, by tlio simple expedient of lubricating the springs properly, tho tyro_ miloago has been increased very considerably, wlnle potrol consumption has decreased. It only needs a moment's thought to conceive that this latter beneficial object will bo obtained if it is possible, to maintain the wheels in constant contact with the road surface. In the spring-clean-ing operation it is not sufficient just to paint the sidos cf tho spring leaves over with the paraffin brush. It is necessary also to take a small file or other sharp instrument and pass it along the outside of each leaf so as to dislodge tho mud that has collected there, and if cracks haVe been filled up with paint J it is better to remove this so as to allow lubricant to find its way in between tho leaves. Tho owner, whilo ho 'is performing this operationi, should see that the leaves of the springs aro properly in line.

Mctor-Cyclo Horse-power. What is to be regarded as the "maximum" in the way of usefulness where tho horse-power capacity ot a motor-oyclo is concerned? lh»t is a. question which can bs easily disposed if in answered by the rule which applies to usage and the _ practice commonly followed. Nominally, at all events, 8 h.p., or. as some prefer to put it, 7-9 h.p., is the highest rated horse-power attributed to the most powerful models at present on the market, although they have done as hich as 10 and even 12 h.p. in JJ 10 United States. Dealing with the broad aspect of horse-power ratines and tho actual power development ot motor-cycle engines, it is necessaiy to draw a'line of distinction between the two. It may be accepted with gaiety that a motor-cyclo fitted wi™- a s0 " called 8-h.p. engine is in reality propelled by one of • al least one-third greater power, and wo know from practical experience that the difference between rating and actual output is even a wider one than this. A heavy sidecar outfit, well loaded up with passeKger and luggage, and taking into I consideration the many factors wnion help to throw added work upon, tho engine, such as road profile and weather requires a fairly large engine to meet all requirements. In normal circumstances an 8-h.p. engine (according to rating) is ample to meot all demands. One of 6-h.p., being really about 8-9-h.p., can do practically all Chat is required of it, and a, smaller tine still with suitable gearing will leave but little to be desired. Reserve power, of which we hear so much, prcyidoß 'a comfortable feeling for' tho driver, who is out in all weathers and has to keep up a fairly fast schedule when on business bent, but for all ordinary purposes the reserve is provided by the gear-box as well as in the engino, the two working together and forming ire combination a means of providing against overload u> an extent which is hardly ever likely to bo overstrained. ,

Points in overhauling. A cover cannot bo properly examined meiely by pushing the car gradually backwards or'forwards; moreover. by jacking up the wheel it is possible to test the hub bearings, steering connections, back axlo, etc. Some of these ptirts will very rarely require attention, but it is quite easy to go on running for Bomo time with a wheel which lias a broken ball in the bearing, and this, of course, may prove very destructive to tlie rest of tho hub. If the wheel had been jacked up periodically and spun, tho clicking or grating would havo drawn attention to such a breakage. With the _ 'front wheels it is important to distinguish between wear in the hub bearing and wear in tho pin or brush of tho steering knuckle. If in doubt, this latter can b; held fast with a small wedge of wood, so that any shake can then be definitely tracid to tho wheel. !In winter,' tho examination, of each wheel should include removal from the hub and a greasing of tho. inner surfaces, the dowel plate and tho bolts. ■ On some light cars the detachable wheels are a very close fit, and any rust is a serious matter when it comes to removing the.' wheel at tho roadside, for unless force is applied very judiciously, there is risk of tho axle slipping off tho jack, or the jack tilting over, and if the wheel happens to como at the same moment.the hub would probably; be too seriously damaged to allow it to be replaced.

Hore and Thera. Some owners, before using their car, havo a trustful Habit of going round it, giving a tyre or two a kick, and assuming that everything is right; but in these scientific days this is rather a poor substitute for the regular periodical examination which the wheels of 11 car demand oven more perhaps than other parts. At the same time there is no need to overdo these attentions, for many drivers whose experience is limited spend an amount of time oyer ininuto injuries to the rubher which professional users, who have probably worn out dozens of covers, have long proved a waste of time as compared with 'tho probably inappreciable increase in wear obtained. Tho best aid to a proper tyre and ivheel upkeep is tho possession! of a good jack, or, better still, a stout wooden lover device, which it is not difficult to mako at homo suitable tfor a light car, so that any wheel may bo lifted free in a moment.

Leaks must be watched for in the cylinder jackct t i.e., tho walls of the chamber which enclose tho water space around the cylinders. If the crack is al small one, a remedy can sometimes be effected by rusting it up. This can be done by cleaning tho surfaces, so that no grease or dirt is present, and then depositing sal ammoniao, which will, cause rusting up of. the orifico. If this method is not successful,' an excellent plan is to drill a small hole, which will include the whole of the crack, tap it, and screw in a short length of copper or brass rod. This should bo cut off' flush and then riveted over. The only other way is to havo it welded, but the casting would have to be examined and.the work carried out'by an expert firm of welders If a water-jaokot be cleaned 1 and painted dull black with ono of the special paints sold for the purposo, a contribution will bo made to the cooling system. If tho radiator is dirty, either inside or out, it will be unable to radiate heat quickly enough_ to fulfil its duty properly. The outside should be well cleaned and painted with dull black paint, but do not forgot that too thick a coat of paint will defeat the object k'or which it was put on. Lighting-up time: —To-day, 5.30 p.m. Noxl, Friday, 5.37 p.m.