“SUN” SERVICE STATION

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 788, 8 October 1929, Page 6

“SUN” SERVICE STATION

rnHE “Motordom” section of The Sun includes in its service to readers a •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 All communications must be accompanied by the inquirer's name and address (not for publication), and sent to Tit B SUN “Service Station , Motordom” THE SUN , Auckland. Answers will appear weekly in this column.

T.J. —My battery, only 12 months old, is difficult to keep charged. Tile generator charges 20 amps at about 20 m.p.U. The last battery' lasted me live years and 1 am careful to keep water over the plates, (.a) What would bo the effect on battery if acid wejre under 3,300 test? (fo) What effect if acid too strong? When my battery was delivered new it did not show lull charge with hydrometer. It would seem that your battery was not properly charged when delivered. If the specific gravity was too low then fast running about would make no improvement, so that your best course is to get more acid filled in. (b) If the acid is too strong it will eat away the plates. “Owner.”—Could you let me know how to get at the timing chain in a V 8 Cadillac, 1919 model. I have taken the radiator and fan off, but as at present am unable to open the case in which the chain is housed. The crank shaft runs through tine case, and the housing around the shaf* rests on a bearing on the front cross member of the chassis, and this seems to be the front support for the gngine. and so to get the casing off it seems as though the engine will have to be slightly raised in the front, to take the weight off the cross member, arid the cross member taken off (but to all the cross member is

riveted on, and cannot come off), and then the casing could be pushed along the crank shaft till it comes off. The distribution is mounted on top of the housing for the chain and the shaft on which- the fan is fitted runs through it to the generator, with the chain using it as a top support. I tried to get the casing off here, hut was prevented by the fitting for the shaft which runs through it. The case cannot be turned on its side, resting on the shaft, as there are two studs over which it has to come, and it cannot be brought -forward enough to allow this. Removes radiator, fan, front apron, front suspension cap, and dust shield beneath radiator. Remove all timing case set screws and floor boards, and disconnect all petrol leads, etc. Then raise the engine- to a height of about four inches by means of a jack under the front end of the sump. The timing case then can be removed by slightly tapping it. and probably the dowels will come with the casing. There is no necessity to remove the front chassis cross member in order to take off the timing case. A correspondent writes that he is unable to purchase an instruction book dealing with a 1916 Dodge, and would like to know of any readers of The Sujft Motor Section who Cftn help hii£.