Your Dodge— Its Care and Maintenance

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 136, 30 August 1927, Page 6

Your Dodge— Its Care and Maintenance

Lubrication is probably the most important and necessary requirement that needs regular and systematic attention.

The internal lubrication system of the engine is automatic by combined pressure and splash. The driver should inspect the oil level after every day that the car is used, and if the oil is below the proper level high-grade engine oil should be added through the oil filler cap. This oils cylinder Walls, piston, connecting rod bearings, crankshaft bearings, cam shaft bearings, and all movable parts within the cylinder block. The maximum capacity is

four and a-quarter quarts, and medium grade oil is suitable for normal operating conditions.

Take care to keep the oil level correct by attention to the indicator. This is on the left-hand side of the Engine, and the button should be at least half an inch above the fiat surface through which the rod projects, and not nearer than one inch to the overhanging water jacket. Clean the strainer, and entirely drain the crankcase, refilling with fresh oil every 1,000 miles. At least once each year remove the oil pan and thoroughly clean it with kerosene. Not more than four and a-quarter pints of heavy body gear oil should be used to fill the gearbox. The level shoud be inspected every 2,000 miles, and if it has fallen so low that the gears on the main sliding gear shaft do not dip into the lubricant, the supply should be replenished so that they do so. Never overfill the gearbox, as the oil will overflow along the torque tube, and if forced past the oil-retaining washers will ooze out on the rear wheels.

To lubricate the rear axle use heavy body gear oil, and fill to the level of the plug in cover plate every 2,000 miles. Every season flush out with kerosene, and refill with fresh oil—capacity three and a-quarter pints. To lubricate the clutch, keep the grease cup on the toeboard well filled, giving it one half turn every day the car is used, and one complete turn every 100 miles. The housing of the universal joint should be filled with' medium body cup grease every 2,000 miles. The chassis lubrication is effected by means of a special high pressure grease gun. using medium body cup grease. Make a point of doing all the spring shackles, and knuckle joints, every 250 miles.

Attend to front and rear wheel bearings every 2,000 miles. The points enumerated above are not the only ones requiring lubrication —refer to the oiling chart supplied by the dealer for full details.

The next thing to remember is the cooling system. The radiator should be inspected daily, and in addition flushed out once a month. Fill the radiator with water while the engine is running, as this keeps the water pump in operation, forces the water

A SUN special feature to assist the owner-driver to ** obtain the maximum results in performance by the proper care and treatment of his car.

through the w'ater jackets round the dngine, pushing out any air which may have accumulated inside the jacket, thus ensuring a complete filling of the whole cooling system. If there is a small water leak at the flanges of the water pump, pack with asbestos twist The main thing to bear in mind about the fuel system is that any dirt will cause trouble. The best safeguard is to see that only clean fuel enters the tank. There is only one adjustment to the carburettor,” but this has been properly made at the factory, and should not be changed unless it is known certainly that it is incorrect. The wiring of the starting, lighting, and ignition system, as well as the switch and ammeter, are so well protected that it should seldom be necessary to disturb them. The wiring should be inspected, however, every 2,U00 miles or so to sec that ail terminal connections are tight, and that the insulation has not been chafed, so as to cause a short circuit. As rsgards lubrication, the starter motor is equipped with greaseless bushings, so will not require oil. Keep all oil away from Bendix gear. The oiler at either end of the generator should be given four or live drops of good engine oil every now and then. The storage battery is the one pait of the electrical system that needs regular and careful attention. Neglect is costlS'. Keep the terminals clean and tight, and well covered with grease, to prevent corrosion. Every week see that the level of the electrolyte in the cell is not more than threeeighths of an inch above the top of the plates. If not up lo this height, add pure distilled water. Never add acid to the electrolyte. Every month test the specific gravity of the electrolyte by a hydrometer. A fully charged battery should read 1.275., The clutch is of the multiple disc type, and the only lubrication is that described above. If the clutcn .slips or grabs, wash it out with -benzine. The importance of correct brake adjustment cannot be over-estimated. Full instructions are provided in the “Book of Information,” but brake adjustment is one of the things that should be handled by a competent mechanic. , , - Keep the spring shackles lree fiom side-play by a slight turn on shackle bolt. If not attended to, side-play will ruin the bushings. The spark plug should have a gap of .020 foi; magneto and .030 for battery ignition. The magneto platinum contact points should be .012 to .014. All these adjustments, are on the magneto wrench. If every Dodge owner will give attention to the points mentioned above, a considerable benefit will be obtained in the way of greater reliability, more satisfactory running, and the lowest possible cost.