Motor Notes

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19367, 25 July 1925, Page 9

Motor Notes

LIFE TIME OF CARS. DOUBLING THE PERIOD. WHAT AN EXPERT SAYS. “The man who buys a car to-day demands not merely transportation for a year or two, but somewhat of a permanent investment in motor-car satisfaction,” asserts an American, expert. ”Manufacturers have come to realise the value of distinctive individuality in. body design. While there arc still I refinements in lines and finish and the addition of little luxuries and conveniences here and there, the individuality of the car must be preserved. Radical changes arc the rare exception rather than the rule. “And this is true for two reasons: first, because there is a distinct, advantage to the manufacturer (is well as to the owner in this maintained and accentuated individuality, and second, because motor-cars of the better class have been so greatly improved mechanically that their operating lifetime has been doubled or trebled. “Automotive engineers and metallurgy have made such wonderful strides during the past few years that ears such as we are selling to-day with moderate care ought to give their owners jiany years of satisfied care-froe service. And that is the basis on which discriminating buyers are making their purchase these days.” WHEEL WOBBLE. SAFETY AT HIGH SPEED i An important subject discussed nt a recent meeting of the American Soci- ! cty of Automotive Engineers was the question of wheel wobble or shimmy, 1 which has attracted considerable attention since the introduction of balloon I lyres. No positive solution of the problem seems to have been reached, and many divergent reasons for the cause were presented. There was a sharp difference of opinion between the passenger car engineers and those of the

tyre industry, many of the former, according to 11 Automobile Industries,” being inclined to saddle balloon tyres for much of the blame, while the tyre engineers pointed out that shimmy or wheel vibration was a question for technical discussion long before the advent

of low-pressure tyres. “The safe, sane, and unfailing remedy for high-speed shimmying is to drive at a reasonable speed,” said Professor ![. A. Hcubotter, of the engineering experiment station of Purdie Universi-

ty, who is making ,an extensive investigation into the causes for shimmying and its remedies.

“With the advent of the low-pres-sure tyre and the front-wheel brake,” says the professor, “the motor-car ha.s developed some new stops that were never planned for it. The problem of front-wheel vibration is of recent origin. It is-confronting the automobile industry at a time when riding comfort, and safety at high speed were supposedly assured. Tyre manufacturers have responded to the popular demand for comfort by producing a tyre suitable for low inflation pressures. This tyre could absorb a bump the size of a paving -brick wthout a quiver. Every effort was made to provide comfort and safety independent of road conditions. But these refinements in themselves served automatically to enforce the speed laws. When the smooth road invited a burst of speed something seemed to seize the front wheels and to domonstrqte how rapidly it could turn them from left to right and then back again. When we study the phenomenon of high-speed shimmying we begin to wonder why cars never shimmied before. The causes have always been present, in kind, if not in degree. The mechanical improvements in the latest automobiles have, however, not only made the shimmying forces more potent, but have removed much of the opposition offered them by the earlier cars.

“The origin of the shimmy seems to] lie in the front axle. Supported between the tyres below and the springs above, the axle is set in motion by every inequality of the road surface. If one wheel strikes a small bump the axle begins to see-saw up and down. This vibration induces a peculiar motion of the wheels which changes direction with every reversal of the axle motion. BALLOON TYRES. FORTUNE FOR INVENTOR. Three years ago “practical men’’ scoffed at Alden L. Putnam, of Detroit, and bis “crazv balloon tyre idea,” even as they laughed at Wilbur Wright and Henry'Ford (says the New York Tribune)." But the United States Patent Office *at Washington recognised Putnam as the original applicant for « patent on balloon tyres, and the automotive industry of the nation faces the payment to him of millions of dollars in royalties. The Motor Wheel Corporation of Lansing, Mich., and the Midland Steel Products Company, of Cleveland, arc the present joint holders of Putnam s basic patents, and the ruling, it is said, will be followed by tiling of suits against some of the largest tyre manufacturers of the United States. TYRE-MAKERS’ SURPRISE. The grant of a basic patent on the low pressure balloon tyre has thrown the automobile world into a furore. The action of the Patent Office, despite the long litigation that preceded it, is said to have taken tyre-makers by surprise. It is more than two years since the first balloon tyres were placed on the market, and their almost immediate popularity was responsible for the manufacture of them by the million. Automobile manufacturers refuse to guess at the amount of royalties collectable under the Putnam patent, but they admitted it would be stupendous. Mr Putnam first appled for a patent or patents on the balloon tyre idea of August 13, 1920, and his rights over the invention will be interpreted under patent law as originating at that date. While the Patent Office is required by law to maintain secrecy respecting patent applications, it is believed certain a number of applications have been received from other persons or firms covering various features of the balloon tyre. These applications are not prejudiced necessarily by issuance of the Putnam patent and will undoubtedly figure prominently in the litigation that will follow.

WAS CALLED ECENTRIC. How Putnam was laughed at and called ecentric when he first told of his invention was related by AV. R. Stone, President of the Detroit Pressed Steel where Putnam formerly was employed. He is recorded in the Patent Office as assignor to company. “Mr Putnam was employed by us as an expert engineer, ” Stone said. “He worked on the balloon tyre idea for many years. It was about three years ago that he read a paper to a group of engineers explaining the idea of the low pressure tyre. “But the engineers did not take it seriously. They laughed at him and called him a character. But this did not deter Putnam. He kept right on.’’ CLEANING EXTERNAL SURFACES. Many motorists spend much time in wiping off the outside of the engine transmission and other mechanical parts. The time spent in this way is of very slight practical value, so far as reducing the wear and tear of mechanical parts is concerned. The same amount of energy spent in lubrication and inspection will give more satisfactory results.

Modern engines are so completely enclosed that there is little danger of dust working into them from outside, especially as there is a constant tendency for oil to work out through clearances which may exist, and it is a grave question if wiping over external surfaces does not tend to force grit into bearings rather than to keep it out. The dust which reaches engine working parts, together with the air taken in through the carburettor, is of infinitely more importance than the dirt on outside surfaces which may possibly work its wav in.

However, if an engine is to be cleaned externally, kerosene, applied with a squirt and distributed with brush or swab, will do the work satisfactorily in the absence of the spray apparatus developed for this purpose. Motor spirit should never be used, because of the danger that a stray spark may ignite the fumes if the engine is run before the gasoline has all evaporated. SOME INSIDE INFORMATION The following hints for the curing of automobile ills arc given in an American journal:— “It is a frequent and dangerous practice to allow the foot brake to get loose enough to allow the brake pedal to hit the floor board. Always keep the brakes adjusted so that the rear wheels can be locked if an emergency stop is ncccssa ry.

“When you sec water dropping from the front end of a car it is usually an indication of a leak at the water pump. Tighten the nuts or flange the same way the. shaft turns. One has a right and the other a left-hand thread.

“To lengthen the life of your top cover the bow where it chafes the top lining with a piece of carpet or some thick material that will cover the heads of the tacks. It is not necessary to remove the top. Loosen the front end and tip it back. “When you arc going camping do not pile luggage on the bumper in front of the radiator. This cuts off air circulation through the radiator and causes the engine to over-heat. “If your front license plate is installed on the rod between the headlights, be sure it is tight and docs not swing back against the radiator. The vibration will wear the thin metal in the radiator core and cause a leak.

“Many touring motorists use the storage battery in the car for radio or for light extensions in the camp. When doing this do not disconnect any wires or terminals, but use largo spring clips. This will eliminate troubles from loose connections, and the car will always be ready to run.

“If you have an oil or gasoline pipe that breaks frequently install a new pipe with a loop or coil in the line.

HINTS AND TIPS. When caught in soft mud so deep that the car cannot get traction enough to proceed, try barking out. Reverse gear is lowest of any q! : the. speeds, thus giving the engine greatest pulling power, provided the driver doos not make the mistake of applying the power too quickly, in which case the wheels will be more inclined to spin. Sounding the horn upon approaching a hill crest is splendid insurance against a head-on collision. The wise motorist is sensible enough not to be on the wrong side of the "road in the act of passing another car at the crest, of a steep hill; but he never knows what the other fellow may be doing on the other side. The modern motorist has to be his brother’s keeper for his own safety. The brakes of a car are not effective when the rear wheels are jacked up. Never jack up a wheel until the other wheels are securely blocked and the car cannot move. Rusty tools can he cleaned by rub-

bing a thick mixture of fine emery dust and light machine oil over the surface with an ordinary cork. This will instantly remove the rust and leave a thin protecting film of oil. Don’t take the chance of stalling on the railway tracks. It’s better to go into second than to be gone in a second.