CAKE OF THE CAR.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19971, 4 July 1930, Page 7

CAKE OF THE CAR.

POINTS TO WATCH. Obstinate Screws. Few things aro more annoying than to have to give up a job because a screw cannot be loosened, and it is worth remembering that the use of an adjustable spanner in addition to a screwdriver, will often prove successful where the use of a screwdriver alone has failed; the screwdriver should be held firmly in the screw slot with one hand and turned by means of the spanner held in the other. Needless to say, a screwdriver with a flat blade is necessary for the method to bo satisfactory. If this scheme fails, a punch can be used, its nose being held against one end of the screw slot whilst it is gently tapped with a hammer. As a last resort, the screw can be drilled out, and its hole rotapped, but before employing this or the punch method, it is wise to exercise a little patience and try tho effect of applying paraffin or some penetrating oil, and allowing it some hours to soak in.

Side-Screen Bepalrs. The correct method of repairing cracks in celluloid side screens is, o* course, to use celluloid patches with acetone or amyl acetate as a solvent. When the necessary materials are not available, however, a very satisfactory temporary repair can be made by means of gelatine discs, obtainable from any confectioner. They are moistened by being placed in the moutb for a few seconds, and then pressed into position on the craok. A Vacuum Tank Hint. When the main fuel tank of a car fitted with a vacuum feed runs dry it may happen that a supply of fuel poured into the float chamber will be insufficient to run the engine for long enough to draw fuel into tho vacuum tank from the replenished main tank. The difficulty can be overcome by removing the vacuum pipe between the tank and the induction manifold, and sucking the fuel through with the mouth, the lips being applied of course, to the end of the vacuum pipe. The construction of the vacuum tank makes it impossible, of course, for the operator to draw petrol into his mouth, but it will be found that the tank can be rapidly filled in this manner.

Cleaning the Carburettor. In spite of adequate filtering arrangements it happens sometimes that small drops of water find their way into the float chamber of the carburettor from which eventually they may pass into the jet, thus causing a stoppage. Short of removing the carburettor from the engine so that it can bo held upside down and shaken, it is sometimes diffloult to remove the drop 3 of water, as they are not always absorbed readily by a rag, even if this can easily be inserted into the float chamber. It will be found, however, that the drops can readily bo lifted out on a feather, and it is a good plan, therefore, to lceep a fairly substantial feathor ;ivailablo for the purpose.

Air Btrangler Control. On cars fitted with an air strangler controlled by means of a small-diameter rod passing through a hole in the faciaboard, it is found sometimes that the strangler will not remain in the fully closed position when the engine is being started by means of the handle. A simple securing device consists of a K.L.G. spring-terminal slipped over the rod after the knob has been unscrewed. The terminal is, of course, adjustable along the rod, and will bo found to set np sufficient friction to retain the strangler in the closed position. When the engino is started the strangler can be opened by pushing the knob, when the clip will slide quite easily along the rod. Using the Jack. It is surprising bow many motorists have found themselves in difficulties through jacking up their cars on soft ground. The best counsel is, of course, never to use the jack except on firm ground, but those who are fond of camping and picnicking cannot always follow this advice without driving for an uncomfortably long distance with a flat tyre. It should be remembered that ground is often deceptive, and although it may be possible to raise the car and remove a wheel, it may be found that the spare cannot be fitted owing to the jack having sunk in the meantime. When the need arises for jacking up on anything but a metalled road, therefore, the precaution should always be taken of placing something under the jock wbiob offers a large flat surface to the ground; a floorboard will be found admirable for the purpose.

Water in Petrol Tank. Ob cars having an outside filler cap for the petrol tank there is always the risk of drops of water finding their way through the vent bole daring heavy rain or when the car is being washed. A simple method of avoiding this risk is to solder a brass sewing thimble to the under-side of the filler cap. A very small bole must bo drilled in the side of the thimble as near as possible to the soldered rim. With this arrangement, air can freely enter the tank, but water will be trapped in the thimble. At intervals, therefore, it is a good plan to remove the cap and shake out any water which may have collected.

Washing "VVirc-Wlaocla. Wire wheels are becoming increasingly popular, but they take a good deal of keeping clean, and are awkward thing# to wash. Spoke-cleaning is always a tiresome job at the best, so motorists owe a debt of gratitude to the inventor of discs, which can be fitted on all types of wheels built to-day. Theße discs, if fitted over wire wheels, give the advantage of that form of wheel construction, and also the easycleaning advantages of the disc wheel. They are easy to flt and well repay their cost in the trouble and labour they save.