THE SELF-STARTER.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 184, 6 August 1925, Page 16 (Supplement)

THE SELF-STARTER.

AN ALMOST UNIVERSAL ACCESSORY. HOW IT WORKS. CRAXKIXG BUGBEAR GOXE. Xothing has done more to add to the pleasure of motoring than the. invention of tho self-starter, or "mechanical; hand that cranks your Car." It is now standard equipment on about 90 per cent of the world's cars, and the following few

points and service instructions will no doubt be of especial interest in view of its world-wide adoption.

To meet the requirements of the numerous automobile manufacturers all over the world, the Bcndix Drive, as the most common type of starter is called, is manufactured in various standard sizes, in both right and left-hand models. It is very important and essential that a right-hand drive has a right-hand spring, as a left-hand spring would unwind instead of wind on this model when the starting pedal is operated. The same thing applies to the left-hand drive, and care exercised when fitting replacement springs removes the danger of damaging the drive through tho use of the wrong spring, and also ensures the proper functioning of this important unit.

Lubrication of the Bendix screw shaft is not essential; however, if oiling is done, a very light grade should be used. Avoid application of medium, heavy oil or grease, as these are detrimental, especially in winter, due to the congealing of these heavy oils on the screw shaft". thuS preventing meshing of the pinion gear. If such condition exists, clean the screw shaft thoroughly.

Should the flywheel be entirely exposed and unprotected, it may possibly drag fri mud and dirt, under abnormal conditions, and tend to clog the action of the drive. The gear has an automatic self-cleaning action, but under these conditions it may be necessary to clean the screw.

Backfires are . unnecessary, because the driver of a car should have the spark lever properly retarded and the gas throttle should not be wide open, but should only be moved over enough for starting. With the spark and throttle levers only slightly advanced, backfires are avoided, and the engine starts easily and quickly. In case of a backfire, the explosion shock is taken through the coil spring which absorbs most of the destructive blow, and is another automatic feature of the Bendix Drive. As an extra precaution against backfires, the drive, spring' and drive screws are designed with largo factors of safety. Extreme backfires may exceed even these large factors of safety. Protect your starting system as you would your arm. Retard spark-in starting. It is cheap insurance.

The teeth on the drive gear are chamfered on only one side and specially rounded and polished to make meshing natural and easy. However, should the teeth meet, end to end, the screw shaft itself is designed to automatically move backwards and compress the coil spring. This gives the drive gear time enough to turn and enter the flywheel gear. Should sticking of gears ever occur, they can be released by placing car in high gear with the clutch engaged and moving tho car forward with a "to and fro"' rocking motion. Such trouble ifi due to incorrect location or inaccurate alignment of the gears. Also it might be due to binding of tho drive parts which would prevent compressing and proper functioning. Such defects should be corrected.

If, while the engine i 3 running, the electric motor should be accidentally started, the drive gear will, of course, screw over against the turning flywheel gear. But instead of the clashing and smashing of gears that might be expected there is no damage whatever," as the gears, simply touch once. This is because the flywheel gear will speed up the drive gear, and thus automatically screw it away. The turning drive gear will then automatically clutch and bind on screw shaft, in exactly the same manner as when it has been demoshed when the engine starts after cranking.

Drive should not under ordinary conditions require care or attention during the life of the car. A slight permanent set in the driving spring does not interfere with its proper functioning. If occasion to replace a spring,-screw or other part does arise, make certain that a genuine part is used, as in our experience none but a genuine part will give satisfactory, dependable service.