THE FORUM

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 166, 4 October 1927, Page 6

THE FORUM

A CORNER FOR THE OWNER WHO WANTS TO PUT SMALL JOBS RIGHT HIMSELF

HINTS BY “HEADLIGHT”

A 1926 Ford, partly wrecked, was being towed a distance of about 30 miles. After 15 miles had been travelled the engine began running, even though the clutch was thrown out and the ignition switch turned off. There were no explosions. The engine was cranked by action of the rear wheels through the driving mechanism and clutch. There was plenty of oil :in the engine and transmission. The clutch was stuck because of the driver’s fault when the car was being towed. The clutch was constructed of steel discs, part of them revolving with th* drive shaft ‘and part held by the engine. When the car was being towed the discs attached to the drive shaft revolved beside those attached to the engine. The discs should have been lubricated. The engine, was not moving neither were the flywheel nor magnets, consequently oil was not splashed around to lubricate the revolving parts. The friction created by the discs developed enough heat to stick them together. This caused the engine to run, and added an extra burden upon the towing car. Had the driver let the clutch in occasionally and allowed the engine to run, th€i revolving parts would have been lubricated. After the clutch stuck the load for the towing car could have been diminished by removing the spark plugs which would have relieved the compression. After new clutch plates were installed the clutch worked all right.

“You’re stuck.” observed the farmer, who stopped his mule team to watch the tourist in the mudhole. “Well, I expect that,” said the tourist. “But £ 1 is positively my limit.” And now I lay me down to sleep, Mid feather beds and clean white sheets; If ][ should die and take the air— I’ll never change another spare.