“SUN” SERVICE STATION

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 752, 27 August 1929, Page 6

“SUN” SERVICE STATION

section ol The Su n includes in Ita service to readers a „ Queries and Answers Department, the ooieci ot which Is to give accurate Information regarding mechanical and touring subjects WhatfJYA P uzzle . ma > be in either diagnosing irritating troubles, or raotorln 0 Information of any kind, "Headlight" will endeavour to help, or respective Unes* t 0 men w, ° are recognised automobile experts In their AH communications must Do accompanied by the inquirer’s name and address (not tor publication), and sent to THE SUN “Service Station. Motor, dom. THE SUN Auckland. Answers will appear weekly in this column.

J.J.P. —Could you ascertain through your Motor Section if it is possible to convert a starter motor to a generator. If so, what alterations would be necessary ? This could be done in an emergency, but the amount of work required and the probably unsatisfactory result suggest that it should be done only in an emergency. Wiring of a starter motor is heavy, and has to carry an amperage of from 200 to 300, while the generator need-s wire to carry only about 300 amps. This means the coil would have to be wired. A starter cone is not suitable for a generator coil, and would need to be cut down. Other changes would be a new end plate, new brushholder and brushes, and delicate work to recut the commutator •from its wide segments to narrow segments for generation. You would spend almost as much money in. the conversion as you would pay for a new generator, and a new generator would give better results. W.H.D. —I have a. 1927 B.S.A. motorcycle which lately started to misfire and stop altogether after having gone about six miles. I pulled out the piston and found that the piston and rings had burnt out. I fitted a new piston and rings and sparking plug, but the trouble still continues. Can you help me out of this trouble? * * * It seems that apparently the trouble is caused through overheating. The first check should be made on the lubricating system to see that the correct amount of oil is being delivered to the engine. The lubricating system is fully described on page eight of the B.S.A. instruction book. A good grade of motor-cycle lubricating oil should bo used. The ignition control should be examined t? see that the spark is advancing fully. The magneto breaker points must be clean and adjusted to 015 gap and the breaker cam ring must be working freely in its housing. The magneto timing should be checked to see that the piston is on top dead centre of compression stroke when ignition lever is in threequarter retard position. The valve springs should be examined to see that they are not broken or have lost their tension. The valve seatings should be examined and valves ground in to their seatings. The carburettor

jet must be cleaned out to make sure there is not a partial blockage. The cylinder should be also examined to see that it is not worn excessively or scored in any way causing loss of compression. If all the above items are carefully checked and adjusted the trouble will be overcome. ‘Driver. * I have a 509 Fiat ear and at present 1 have a fault in the wiring system. Could you help me by giving me the information as to whom I should apply to to obta'r a book on Fiat cars, and so endeavour to trace the wiring system throughout? l have tried to buy one, but so far cannot do so. I have the double filament globes, 12-volt 25-50 c.p., and each time 1 replace a globe the bright ligljt, viz., 50 c.p. blows out. Trusting you will be able to help me with a favourable reply to my request above. Should you have a book of any kind suitable for above wiring, I will readilv purchase same. * * * Your trouble seems to be due to a loose connection, possibly a battery terminal. Evidently your fuses are of too great amperage. They should be 30-amp. type to protect the lamps, and should blow before the lamps. The Fiat agents for Auckland are the Dominion Motors, Limited, Albert Street, to whom you should apply for an instruction book. E.B.W. —“M.S.” inquired last week for the car with the longest wheelbase, and you mentioned a Packard with 143 inches. I might point out that this is one of the cheapest of the really large cars. A straight-eight Sunbeam has a wheelbase of 147 inches, while the long wheelbase 50 h.p. doublesix Daimler, which is generally' considered to be the biggest stock car in the world, has a wheel base of 162 in The “Bentley” 6J litre six-cylinder model has a wheelbase of 150 inches.