MOTORING & MOTORISTS

Evening Star, Issue 21749, 18 June 1934, Page 13

MOTORING & MOTORISTS

[BY RAPIATOR.]

LIGHTING-UP TIMES

Today . ... 4.56 j iiesciay 4.08 Wednesday 4,58 ’lhnrsday ... 4.58 1. ritlay 4.58 (Satinday 4,5!) .Sunday 4.50

GAR SHORTAGE MAKERS LACK STEEL Throughout Great Britain there are, at the present time, many motorists who. are bewailing the fact that they have not yet secured delivery of cars which wore ordered several months ago. The majority are bewildered by this hold-up, and are, naturally enough, apt to resent what they consider to he bad management on the part of ear manufacturers. The fact of the matter is that in comparatively few cases are the carmakers to blame. The delay must bo attributed to the inability of the material suppliers to keep abreast of their orders. There is, for example, a great, shortage of thin steel sheets, suitable for metal body pressings, though these are by no means the only components for which carmakers are waiting. It might be thought at first sight that the steel suppliers would be hot only anxious but able to-meet the increased demands for their products brought about by general trade improvement. Willing they certainly are, but the ability to deliver promptly is quite another matter. During the worst of the trade depression, though the motor industry has been an excellent customer of the steelmakers, the tatter have been running at something very far below their full capacity. With trade improving all round, and orders flowing in from other quarters, the Suppliers of steel find- that to keep up with their commitments they have very materially to increase their-out-put. 'This has been by no means easy to do quickly. It is simple enough to reduce the size and scope of an enterprise, not nearly so easy to increase it when. skilled men are required for the job. , it is probable that tho steelmakers have hesitated to embark upon yery expensive means of increasing production until they have satisfied themselves that the trade improvement is not merely a flash in the pan; so they have preferred to go cautiously to avoid tho risk of tiding thclnselves with a plant stalled to meet a rate of production that may not he maintained. For this cautious’attitude the steel people cannot be blamed, though it has been responsible for considerable anxiety in many motor factories and for great disappointment among motorists who, having placed orders at the Olympia show, are still without their new cars. Haw material suppliers, are now becoming more confident as to the future niid'have ‘already decided to get their businesses going on a considerably bigger scale than has been the ease during the past few years. This will mean that in the very near future arrears of deliveries will be overtaken and that the rapid flow of motor cars will bo resumed. The delay extends to many branches of engineering construction outside the motor industry. Several very big civil engineering enterprises are having difficulty in obtaining necessary'supplies of steel.

THREE’WHEEL CARS

WATCH INSTRUMENT BOARD

All good drivers keep a watchful eye on the instrument board, and besides glancing from time to time at the .-.peeclonieter also note the readings ol the ammeter and the oil pressure gauge. Any abnormal registration should be investigated without delay. As 1 a rule the oil pressure recorded is liigh until the engine has warmed up, and then settles down to normal, but increases with the speed of the engine. It is, however, wise to ascertain from the instruction book of the car what is the normal pressure reading at average peeds A sudden and great rise or .all iu the pressure must always, be -taken as a warning, and if the engine ,ias covered a great mileage it might also be noted that the working pressure lias fallen below normal because of wear in the bearings. a.

CARE WITH WHEEL NUTS Periodical testing of the nuts securing the wheels or detachable rims should be regarded as a routine duty by every owner-driver. It often ballpens that one oi more nuts loosen, so that the road wheel is not held securely, but runs out of truth, and the stud holes become badly worn. To prevent rusting, the threads may be smeared lightly with graphite grease, and the nuts should then bo tightened very securely. If it is found difficult to unscrew any nut when detaching a wheel or rim, a long-handled spanner or other suitable implement can he applied to the wheel wrench, so as to obtain a greater leverage.

NOISY TAPPETS Many cars which have done considerable mileage suffer from tappet noise, which it seems impossible to eliminate bv accurate tappet adjustment. This is due usually to the valve stem ends having pitted’ the tops of tho tappets, so that the actual clearance is considerably greater than is indicated by the feeler gauge. The tappet heads can usually he removed quite easily from a side-valve engine when tjie valves and springs are out. by unscrewing. They are then ground flat, and it is not always necessary to reharden them, as the hardened surface probably has merely sunk and not actually worn away.

OVERLOADING A DESTRUCTIVE MALPRACTICE # Overloading is- a destructive malpractice. of which users of comincrciiil moim transport art oltei. vT'iiU.>, to Lheit own ultimate com. f-iometimes, too, private motorists ask too much of their cars, and many disappointments might be

Brief accounts of holiday trips, roads, and places of hiterwt »r» incited for this column-

avoided if every motorist was aware of the normal effects of overloading, and how, in the event of its being urgently necessary to carry an excessive freight'on the car. precautions • might be taken against possible damage. Ihe working parts and chassis frames ol all modern motor vehicles possess a great factor of safety; the manufacturers have left a margin of strength against abuse and extreme road shocks Similarly lyres arc now most durable, and will' give.good service for long mileages, even alien tile load which they must carry is greater than that intended hy the manufacturers. There are some haulers who habitually overload their trucks, and many of them seem to escape any serious consequences, and are prone to scoff at criticism, but the truth of the matter is probably that such operators have learnt, the wisdom of driving their heavily-laden vehicles carefully, whereas the man who treats an over-weighted truck or car as if it was running empty or with a light load is courting trouble. The risks should be examined from two standpoints; immediate breakage and accelerated deterioration. It is not only the frame, wheels..and tyres which suffer: overloading also imposes gross strains on the engine and transmission. Although there might be no sudden fracturing of some working part,-the life of the vehicle is cut, short, wear-and-tear is rapid, and the bills for repairs soon become alarming. But with due care it is possible on occasion tc overburden the vehicle without doing any serious harm, provided always that cruising spoed is moderated and timely use made of the intermediate gear ratios . ' . Road shocks are naturally intensified because of the greater load, and no attempt should be made to keep up the ordinary average speed. It is also most important to see that the tyres are fully inflated, for otherwise excessive flexing will soon undermine their waffs. On rough stretches every effort must be made to save the springs and chassis from strain, and the engine should never be pushed to the full, . As soon ns the engine gives any indication of labouring in top gear on a slope, a lower ratio should be engaged, and it is unwise to “ hang on ” to top with a (iff throttle, because of the intense strains inflicted on the connecting rods, crankshaft, and transmission gears. A car or truck which has been overloaded might bo compared to a robust man who can without barm to himself carry a considerable burden, provided he is not asked to walk too briskly or to run. but who might suffer physical injury because of foolish overexertion.

FITTING RUBBER JOINTS When fitting new rubber joints to the pipes of the cooling system of any engine, it is often difficult to induce the pipes to enter the joint, the rubber and canvas being too stiff. Smear the inside of the joint with rubber solution,. This serves! a twofold, purpose ; it enables the connection to slide easily over the end of the pipe, and it makes a perfect watertight joint when the solution sets.

EUROPEAN DEVELOPMENTS So far as New Zealand }s concerned light three-wheel cars have never been taken really seriously by the motoring publje. although from time to time various models have been offered. In Great Britain more attention has been given to such types, but there, too, they have been ousted by the conventional “ baby " car. But in Europe the three-wheeler stiff continues to hold its own, and, according to recent reports, enjoys a strong position in Ge’rmany. In countries where motorists must practise extreme economies and there are perfect road systems, the three-wheel car has much to commnd it. Its speed and road-holding qualities are excellent, it is far more comfortable than a motor cycle sidecar outfit, alul offers the cheapest form of fast transport with low initial cost aud running expenses, which do not exceed those of a motor cycle combination. The more expensive models have shown themselves to he capable of amazingly high speeds, aud for that reason have attracted, particularly in France, the patronage of sporting motorists whose financial resources are restricted. In France most distinction has been won by the Samlford three-wheeler, a high-grade machine, produced by an Englishman, who has made his home in that country. Until recently the Sandford. which, it is said, is now the only cur of its typo fabricated in France, was not marketed as a cheap production but as a relatively extensive sportsmodel, costing as much as £2BO. It was powered with a four-cylinder watercooled engine, and the sports type was sold with a guarantee that it would travel at eighty miles per hour, while the super-charged model could easily exceed 100 rn.p.h The manufacturer has now decided to vary his policy to meet the times, and is turning out a. shanclv product which seffs at about half the price of its predecessors, and lias a two-cylinder 050 c.c. engine, which, develops 2C h.h.p.. at >4.800 r.p.m* The now car is said to oc as fast as the four-cylinder tourer of the previous soft. The clutch and threespeed gearbox are built up to form ti unit with the engine, and the drive is taken to the single rear wheel. complete vehicle weighs less than /cwt. In Germany a different policy lias been pursued, for in that country the aim has been to reduce purchase price and upkeep to an extreme degree. The demand for three-wheelers baa increased surprisingly during the last few years, and at present nine different makes are available. Most of them are diminutive so far as engine size is concerned, and many novel methods have been adopted to curtail the costs oi production. hTe present models were designed at a time when car taxation in Germany was on a high scale, but as all such imposts on new vehicles have now been gdolished. it is the German three-wheelers of 1945 will have larger engines. At oresent fhev are not offered with any claims to high -need, hut merely a- dependable and economical two-seaters

One pnpnhn tvpe l>-‘ a two-moke, air-cooled engine of 200 c.c.. with rear drive end two front wheels. The hotly is made from pressed steel, and the chassis includes a four-speed gearbox am! a self-starter. 'lhe wheels are

fashioned from light pressed steel, and tlie machine is said to have a top speed of 30 m.p.h. Another prominent type made by the Hansa-Lloyd Company has the third wheel placed in front, and it is used for steering purposes, the drive being taken from the gear-mounted engine to the two back wheels. This car lias an air-cooled engine of 250 c.c., and a differential is used in the transmission. Another variation of design is found in a machine known as the “ Tamag Zcpp.” It has a single back wbccl and tbe drive is transmitted through a three-speed gearbox and differential to the front wheels, the final drive being by cardan shafts with large spherical joints. The prices of these and other models is attractively low, and does not. ns a rule, exceed the equivalent of £BO.

GENERATOR NOISE Noise from the dynamo of a car is worth investigating promptly. If of a rumbling or pounding variety it is due usually to slack hearings, and at that stage costs little to rectify, Should it be allowed to continue, however, there is risk of the armature fouling the pole pieces, with serious results. Squeaking arises from the commutator, and does no harm. Do not attempt to deal with it by lubrication, but have the brushes properly bedded down. This will improve and steady the charging and prevent burning of the commutator.

The method of seating the brushes is to pass a strip of fine glasspaper around the commutator and grind in the brushes on it to the correct curvature by revolving the armature. This is essential when new brushes are fitted. Similar paper may be held against the commutator when it is revolving to clean it. but if it is badly burnt, pitted, or out of round, it must be removed for facing in a lathe. Rapid brush ware is duo to the mica projecting between the segments or to the commutator needing refacing, The mica should be undercut slightly below the level of the copper with a piece ol hacksaw blade, Use glasspaper afterwards to remove any. burring of the copper.

reversing Man? motorists view with envy the peiTonnitnees of other drivers who can reverse quickly and confidently through narrow openings. Actually the ability to do this is within the roach of every, one, as it depends on a simple driving trick, once one has got used to the fact that turning the front wheels to the left swings the rear to the left and to the altered feel of the steering. All that is necessary is first to judge the clearance available for the car. one! then to pay attention only to the side easiert to see, usually the right. If this is kept within, say. 6in where total clearance is a foot, it will follow that the clearance on the other side will he adequate provided the car is held straight. It Is quite unnecessary to attempt to watch both sides at once, and this method only lends to hesitation and confusion.

O.M.C. LIGHT GAR SECTION FIXTURES October 20, 21, 22.—Labour Pay trial. MOTOR CYCLING FIXTURES Jipie 18. —Annual meeting. CLUB NOTES ANNUAL MEETING. All members and friends are cordially invited to attend the annual meeting of the Otago Motor Club cycle section to be held in the club rooms tonight at 8 p.m. Following the general business the office-bearers for the ensuing year are to be elected and trophies for the past year’s events presented.

POINTS ABOUT RIDING COMFORT When choosing a new motor cycle novice riders ami those who have not enjoyed full riding comfort with their earlier machines might be guided by the counsel of an English rider, who weighs 14 stone, who states that no matter what is the weight of the purchaser, lie should take care to see that the saddle springs are not only flexible enough to give “ cushioned ” riding on good highways, hut also so firm that they wifi not be over-com-jjrcsscd on rough roads. He also suggests that greater comfort will often he secured by having the foot rests lengthened and set as nearly as possible beneath the saddle so that the rider’s weight rests on the balls of his feet, and be, as it were, is poised on his legs. The effect is that, when the machine strikes a bump, the rider automatically rises on the rests a'd advantage is taken of the natural shock absorption of the leg muscles and the shock is not transmitted violently to the body. It is also considered by the same writer that the ideal position for touring is that in which little or no ■weight is thrown on the arms, which should rest lightly on the handle burs and act “ neither as struts nor tierods.”

TOLD AT THE WHEEL DEPRECIATION. “ Most interesting.’ 1 said the sweet young Tiling to the motor car salesman. •' and non show me the- depreciation, please. I licai it is heave in these cars.’' As a mallei of I act. madam.” replied the- opportunist. " we found it a source of worry and had it removed altogether ! ”