“SUN” SERVICE STATION

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 645, 23 April 1929, Page 6

“SUN” SERVICE STATION

THE ••Motordom" 6ectlon of The Sun Includes in lta service to readers a Queries and Answers Department, the object of which Is to give accurate information regarding mechanical and touring subjects. Whatever the particular puzzle may be in either diagnosing Irritating troubles, or motoring Information of any kind, “Headlight” will endeavour to help, or refer the point to men who are recognised automobile experts In their respective lines. All communications must be accompanied by the inquirer's namo and address (not for publication), and sent to THE SUN “Service Station, Motordom,” THE SUN. Auckland. Answers will appear weekly Id this column.

“Ford.”—l would beg space in your paper for you to answer the following questions: (1) Which gear was the first of the Model “A” Fords introduced? (2) What is the horsepower? * * * The first Model “A’s” made their appearance in America in December, 1927, but the cars were not exhibited here until May 14, 1928. (2) The rated horse-power is 24 and the b.h.p. 40. Entomologist.— (1) At what number of revolutions will the engine develop 10 h.p., seeing the bore is 80 and the stroke 100 only? Surely the average 3J h.p. motor-cycle has as large an engine? (2) What is the gear reduction from engine to rear wheel on top? (3) Is top drive direct, or through gears? (4) The agent says the car weighs 9cwt, and in The Sun it is stated as 7cwt. Which is correct? (0) There is apparently no battery. Are there no lights when the engine is not running? (6) Is there a line axle, or does the undriven wheel run on its own? (there being no differential). (1) Manomag engine develops 10 b.h.p. at 1,000 r.p.m. Close coupling of motor, gear-box and transmission minimise power losses, and low compression assist single cylinder performance. A 35 h.p. motor-cycle engine rates around GOO c.c. (same as llanomag), and develops from 25 to 30 h.p. at between 5,000 and 6,000 r.p.m. Airplane engines peak at about 1,500 r.p.m. (2) 5 to 1. (3) Direct to driving sprocket, through the gear-box. (4) Some are 7cwt, and others are 9cwt. (5) There is a 6-volt battery, charged in the usual way from a combined mag-neto-generator. (6) Wheels are bolted

to axle, and become one unit. Chain driven sprocket is an integral part of axle, so that both wheels are driven when the sprocket revolves, turning the axle and wheels. K.S.—ln re the article in last week’s “Motoring” about changing the tyres round to ensure that they all wear evenly—your suggestion that the tyres be changed every 1,000 miles seems too long to me. Over rough country the tyres may wear out in that time, vet the spare would not be affected. * * * The changing every 1,000 miles is merely a suggestion. What is meant is that the motorist should change the tyres at regular and easily remembered intervals. Each owner should make a rule for himself in this matter. “Olio.” Could you explain this puzzle for me, and tell me if it has any significance? I have a fairly old Ita.lian car, and change the oil religiously every 1,000 miles, and I notice when the oil comes out that it is thin, and seems to have lost its lubrication. I usually do only short business trips, but recently I went on a long tour and covered 1,000 miles in seven days coming home. When I drained the oil, it was quite thick, and seemed to be qyito fit for more service. I always imagined that hard, continuous work with an engine hot all the time would burn out oil more quickly; but this experience seems to disprove it. Is there any explanation for this? Did you have the engine overhauled before the trip, the piston rings tightened, or anything of that nature? Were you using the usual brand of benzine? These may be the explana- [ Lion.