THE PATERSON CARBURETTER PERFORMANCE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16118, 24 January 1918, Page 8

THE PATERSON CARBURETTER PERFORMANCE.

4 amazing facts and figup.es. EY-S'AV ING MARVEL FOR MOTORISTS. 1 . . ' MR CLIMIE'S REPORT ON RELIABILITY . AND ECONOMY. Foi logins upon the Dunedin-and-back trip made last week-end by 'he hcavv-modcl Chevrolet, car, to > c was fitted a Paterson carburetter running on ordinary crude tar oil, motorists have been awaiting with intense interest tho report of the observer, Mr P. K. Climie, of Messrs Climie, Coates and Co. This has now been handed "Tlie Press" for publication, and is appended herewith. The account of tho trip makes interesting reading, and particularly convincing as to iJie merits and achievements of this new carburetter is Mr Climie's summary of the trip. "What most concerns motorists nowadays is tho abnormally high cost of running their cars. This is tho proposition the effective solving of which is in the hands of tho promoters of the company now being - formed for tho_ manufacturing and marketing of tho Paterson carburetter. Mr Climie's report is as follows: — THE PATERSON PATENT CARBURETTERS.

REPORT ON" TAR DISTILLATE FUEL CONSUMPTION TEST UNDER TOURING CONDITIONS FROM. CHRISTCHURCH TO DUNEDIN AND RETURN, JANUARY 19th AND 20th, 1913.

DESCRIPTION OF CAR EQUIPMENT.

A heavy model Chevrolet car was provided with two fuel tanks, one main tank being situated in rear of the car, and containing heavy tar distillate produced by the British Distillate Co., of Christchurch, New Zealand, and a small subsidiary tank under the front seat of the car containing ordinary petrol. The induction or intake pipe was fitted with a two-way-valve, controllable by a foot or hand lever operable from insido the car; Thus, when the lever, was in one position, the engine would take in petrol gas from the ordinary carburetter fed from the small petrol tank, and when the lever was in the other position, the engine would tako in tar oil gas from the main tank •through the Paterson Patent Carburetter, the oil being fed down into the carburettor from the usual "vacuumfeed" tank fitted to most American cars. METHOD OP TEST. Tho test itself was carried out in the following manner: — The main tank was first emptied, and tho feed pipe, float-chamber of carburetter, and tlie "vacuum-feed" chamber drained of all fluid. As an extra precaution, I had the engine started on petrol and run until it was thoroughly warm, and the Paterson carburetter sufficiently heated to enable it to perform its necessary function of vaporisation, should any oil still remain. The lover -which I will term the "fuel selection lever," was then moved over into what might be termed the "heavy oil" position, and the engine, after giving a few turns came to a standstill. This operation was repeated a number of times with the same result, and I was now satisfied that the main fuel supply system containing the Paterson carburetter was quite dry, and in a condition ready to receive tho heavy tar distillate to be tested. The main tank was then filled with the distillate until it overflowed, and the tank sealed so that it was impossible to remove the cap without indicating that it had been tampered with. This preliminary operation, was carried out tho previous evening, so that everytliirg would be in readiness for an early start the next morning. Before leaving the garage in the morning, X inspected the tank seal and found it in order. The "fuel selection lever" was set in the "petrol position," and the engine started. Tho car then proceeded to the City Council vreigh bridge, where it was properly weighed with its full complement of . five passengers, luggage, three spare tins of distillate, spare tyres, etc., the weighbridge receipt showing i ton 15 cwt 2 qrs 141b as the correct weight. On arriving at the Post the car was brought to a standstill and the "fuel selection lever" changed over to the "heavy oil" position, when it was found that tho engine continued to run without giving any outward indication that a, change had been made. I examined the exhaust gases and found them to bo free from smell with the engine running at ordinary speeds, but with the engine "racing" there was a distinct smell of tar surrounding the Tear of the car. To make certain that no petrol would find its way into the induction i pipe, I had the petrol shut off from the tank by moans of a tap which was not acccssi&le to the driver. THE JOURNEY. Tho car left Christchurch punctually at 9 a.m., and after an uneventful trip arrived at the Post Office, Dunedin, sharp at 9 p.m. the same evening. Xo involuntary stops whatever were encountered, the only stops being those made for refreshments and convenience, the actual running time being 10 hours 23 minutes. On arriving at the Dunedin Post Office the "fuel selection lever" was changed over again to the "petrol position," and the petrol tap turned on for the first time "after leaving Christchurch. The car then proceeded on petrol to a garage for the night. The main tank still remained sealed, but the following morning, the seal was broken, according to arrangement, to enable the fuel supply to bo replenished. 7.' gallons of the "tar distillate" being carefully measured into the tank. Tho '"fuel selection lever" still remained in tho "petrol position." while the car proceeded to the Post Office tor the purpose of undertaking the return trip. On r.rriving at the Post Office, the selection lever'' was changed over to the. •'heavy position, and toe petrol shut off by the tap. as was done at. Christchurch. An extra passenger, with luggage, weighing oyer all 17 stone accurately, was taken in at Dunedin. thus making six passengers for the return journey. THE RETURN JOURNEY. The car left the Post Office at 10 a.m.. and after a non-eventful trip arrived at the Christchurch Post Office at 9.15 i>.m. tho same evening. Xo

involuntary stops were encountered, the only stops being for refreshments and convenience, the actual running time being 9i hours exactly. It is perhaps worthy of note that both trips were made without any mechanical or tyro troubles of any kind, the engine rnnniup smoothly and pleasantly throughout the whole journey. On arriving at tho Christchurch Post Office, tho car proceeded to a garage for examination, and for the purposo of determining the fuel consumption. To ascertain tho latter, tho main tank was again fillpd with tar distillate, when it. was found to take in exactly 12-i gallons. This amount, added to what was taken in at Dunedin (7} gallons) amounted to 19' i gallons, and represents the total fuel consumption for the whole distance from Christchurch to Dunedin and return. SUMMARY OF PERFORMANCE. The following is a summary of the performance, and I would explain that in determines the weight for tho ton miles, I have taken-tho weight of car with five passengers and added on half the weight of the extra passenger considered over tho whole distance. This, I believe, is a fair and equitable basis to work upon. Distance —472 miles (speedometer reading). Weight of car with estimated load — 1.834 tons. Tar distillate consumed —19.75 gallons. Cost of tar distillate —Is 3d per gallon. Running time —19hrs. 55mins. Average speed—23.7 miles per hour. Consumption of fuel—23.9 miles per gallon. Ton miles—44.2. Cost per car mile (fuel only)—,62Bd. Cost per head of 0 passengers—4s lid. ENGINE TEST. On testing the flexibility of the engine tho next day I found that it gave a range of speed on top gear of approximately 4 miles to 45 miles per hour, but I am informed by the observer (who was my appointee) that as much as 47 miles per hour were attained during. the return journey from Dunedin with a full load of six passengers aboard. These figures, of course, are speedometer readings, but I believe them to bo faiAy accurate.. During the flexibility test I endeavoured to make the engine "knock,' but failed in my attempt. I believe this is characteristic of Tar Distillate Gas, and is due to its density providing a cushioning effect upon the pistons. CONDITION OF ENGINE. 111 regard to tho state the engine after running on Tar Distillate I am not prepared at this stago to rep or . Aw soon as the car can be spared for the purpose I intend to make an inspection of . the cylinders, valves, and other important parts to see what effect, if any, tho Distillate has had upon them * In the meanwhile, the car is continuing to run on Distillate, consequently the postponement of the enrrino examination will have tho advantage of this extra mileage. An- examination of the olugs revealed no sign of deposit, and they were clean and tree from carbon. TAR DISTILLATE USED. I have formed tho opinion from superficial observations made of tho Tar Distillate used for this periormance that there is room for a good deal of further purification and distillation of the product. Solid matter, which was probably of a non-combustible nature, was in strong evidence, and while this may pass through the engine with little detriment to the latter, its presenco is surely avoidable. I noticed also distinct traces of what appeared to be naohthalene. These impurities, however, have all plaved their part in assisting to make the" test a severe one for the carburetter, tho performance of which, under such conditions, I consider eminent.y satisfactory.—Yours faithfully, (Signed) 1. R. CLIMIE. Messrs Win. Jameson and Son, Sharebrokere, Manchester street, arc tho brokers for the new company. All information, with prospectus, is gladly mailed anvono free for the asking. 1