FORD REPAIR METHODS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1076, 24 July 1924, Page 5

FORD REPAIR METHODS.

[Published by Arrangement.]

IMPORTANT INNOVATIONS. TO THE FORD MOTORS MANAWATU LIMITED. Owners of Ford cars and trucks will be glad to learn that the cost of repairing engines is shortly to be cut down by helf. In fact, certain big operations which as a rule take fifteen hours will be done in four hours, and many repair operations will be reduced considerably more than half. Ford dealers throughout the Dominion are being encouraged by Mr Henry Ford to instal as part of their garage equipment a K. R. Wilson combination machine. A.

demonstration was given in Palmerston North yesterday ( before an interested gathering of Ford Service men and dealers, numbering some 45, from all parts of the North Island, at the premises of the Ford Motor’s Manaivatu, Ltd.. Rangitikei street. The machine completely re-manufactures Ford

motors and applies factory methods to repair shop practice. Tho common methods of overhaul, while answering the purpose, have never completely satisfied the car owner. Although many Ford service stations have tried conscientiously to give the best in service, and have invested such money in shop equipment, they havo still -failed to accurately adjust Ford engines. Tho advantage of the K.R. Wilson machine are principally in the interests of the owner, and secondly they aro a distinct ' asset to the garage proprietor, as it enables him to turn out more work at a lower cost, at the same time guaranteed to be satis-

factory. The biggest jobs connected with Ford repairs are the fitting of crank shaft bearings, and also refitting new pistons, which generally necessitates reboring the cylinders; these two operations when done bj’ the old method, are both slow and costly, but with the new combination machine, the former operation can be carried out in about five minutes, whilst the latter job can be done at an 1 actual labour cost of ten minutes for four cylinders. In regard to the boring out of bearings, many garage-men in the past have been boring cut their bearings, without regard to the

actual size of the crank-shaft, only slightly fitting- the bearing caps, then clamping down tightly, and applying plently of power to twist the babbit into shape, and the crank-shaft out of shape, giving little thought to the alignment of these borings, with the results that tho labour costs are not only excessive, but also produce a largo number of dissatisfied customers. It is well, therefore, to remember that the foundation

of every good motor is perfect bearings, and J;hese uniform roults are assured by the new process. Coming to tho fitting of new pistons, the old method of boring the cylinders “all one'size” and hoping to findpistons to fit them, has been abandoned as obsolite and unsatisfactory, as Ford pistons vary from the size they are marked, and hand-fitting.filling. turning, or lappingin is necessary to turn out even a fair job. The features of the K. R. W. Machine are that it bores any over size quicker and absolutely accurate and when the cylinder is bored, the cutter stops automatically, which, of course eliminates the necessity of constant attention, and ajllows the me-

chanic to grind in valves, adjust connec tion rods, or overhaul transmission, and many other jobs, while tho machine is boring the cylinders. • It will therefore be seen that once the labour-saving tools are installed in the various Ford service stations throughout tho Dominion, the lot of the'owner and the garage proprietors will surely bo a happier and a less expensive one. The demonstration will surely be a happier and a less expensive one. The demonstration was given by Mr ,7. L. Broun, tho service manager of the Colonial Motor Company, Limited. Wellington, tvho fully explained matters, in an exceptionally clear and simple manner, and is on a parrallel with demonstrations being given all over New Zealand to Ford Service men, dealers; and Ford owners. The service plant under demonstration has been imported for the Ford Motors Manawatu. Limited, and will be -immediately installed so that Ford users of this district will havo the advantage within a week of a further reduction in the upkeep and repairs of their car 3.