Random Notes

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 2 March 1935, Page 15

Random Notes

The motorist who finds repairs to the under part of his ear necessary, but has not movable light available, may reflect a powerful light to any part by placing a small mirror on the ground and training the spot light on it, varying the angle of the mirror and the light as' desirodi 'The addition of a torch to the kit will be found most useful.

The vibration and distortion, due to road conditions, of frame, body, etc., of most cars will loosen nuts occasionally, in spite of all precautions. A loose nut may cause breakage of an important part, or may even be the cause of the wrecking of the car. It is a worth-while safety measure to go over the nuts on the car about once a month, making sure they, arc all tight.

The compression of the engine can be tested occasionally by turning the cvrankshaft slowly with the starting handle. With a little experience it is easy to detect variation in compression of the cylinders. Variable compression usually means 1 that one or more of the valves requires attention and adjustment. If on examination the valves and valve seats are found to be in good order and correctly set, then loss of compression can be attributed to wear on pistons and cylinders.

The deevlopment of modern design in which careful attention has been given to road holding and controllability hasd one much to lay the bogy of skidding. The majority of drivers of modern vehicles are also able to control such skids as may occur on all but the worst possible surfaces, such as ice. A device has recently been tested in England which, it is claimed, not only overcomes the tendency of a vehicle to skid, but also rectifies any skid before it has time to develop. Turning the steering wheel automatically applies the inner rear-wheel brake to an increasing extent, leaving the outer wheel free to revolve and check the swing of the vehicle. A de-. monstration proved the vehicle capable of being w-ell controlled on an exceed-, ingly bad surface. The fact that one rear wheel is braked every time the steering wheel is turned would, however, seem to .be a disadvantage of the device.

The Ford works at Dagenham is becoming quite a popular venue. Amongst recent visitors were a party of {Soviet engineers, officials of Imperial Chemical Industries, managers of the Eondon Co-operative society, officials of tre London Passenger Transport Boaxd, and SO members of the London and District Branch of the Institute of -Cost Accountants. The factory is, of course, one of the largest and most up-to-date of its kind in Europe.

z A 1914 Leyland fire engine, the property of the Dundee Fire Brigade, was recently sold, having been' replaced by a modern Levland appliance. During its long period of service, the engine attended several hundreds of fires and, as a final effort, dealt with „a forest--

fire near Perth, where if pumped water continuously for 91 hours. The -yets eran has not yet retired, but has been, purchased by a private concern for pumping water should the fruit season be dry. ;; ' ■l'