New-York tribune., 1908-03-11
TIMELY AUTO TOPICS.
.ST4ND4RD FOR PARTS.
Time Not Ripe for Adoption Of
4IcOhOl as a Fuel.

The meeting of the mechanical branch Of the As
sociation of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers
yesterday Of the most interesting held
since the organization of the association. 1t was
the first meeting held this year, and many sub
jects, which special committees have been expert
menting and investigating, were reported and
papers read to the members.
special committee appointed work with the
committee toward the Standardization Of ROD
ard yoke ends made an elaborate report on what
il considered the proper sizes for the standardlza-
ton of these important parts OF construction
Standards for 3-s 5-l6, IL and l-lo rods were
adopted. and will be known as the Association of
Licensed Automobile Manufacturers standard ad-
Unstable rod and yoke ends. Nearly every manu-
facturer of American automobiles is at the pres
time using various sizes of rods and yoke
ends, it found that owing TO this there
was considerable confusion in getting the proper
sizes for immediate delivery.
Another important Standardization was that of
levers. Various weights and sizes of levers nave
been used, with considerable expense 10 those
automobile manufacturers who do not have drop
forging plants. Owing to their inability 10 buy
stock levers, they must necessarily buy the dies
from which these forgings were made, and, with
the changing of the type or weight OF the leVer'
new dies, al an increased expense are necessary.
After careful consideration the branch adopted
a uniform modified I beam lever, which the drop
forge makers will carry in stock. making these
levers interchangeable
The committee appointed to report the stand
ardzatjon of rims felt that the time was not ripe
for a universal adoption Of the standard rim, oW-
i2g to the fact that it was impossible to tell
whether the clincher or denlountable rim, would
be in general use.
At the afternoon session DR.. Charles Edward
rucke of Columbia University who has been max
ing some exhaustive tests with alcohol fuel for
internal combustion engines. delivered an address
TO the branch. DR.. Lucke's remarks were prlnci-
paly in making comparisons in the tests he had
made with the use of alcohol for gas engines for
Ioconotion as compared those for stationary use
He pointed clearly that with certain types of
engines he could start with alcohol easily as
% solene by the Of spray Carburetor with
the ordinary needle valve. He said that he did not
feel the time was opportufe for universal adop
ton o alcohol for practical especially in
automobile engines, owing TO the absolute neces-
sity for minute adjustment Of carburetor and
ignition which could not be had in automobiles
owing the inexperience of many drivers and
owners
The vagaries of alcohol fuel were clearly
pointed out by DR.. Lucke. who explained that
during his experiments conditions arose and de-
veloped amusing extent. One incident
noted was that in his tests on a two-cycIe motor
with crank compression, he found that the
excess vapor which had exploded with the first
charge the intake escaped through the crank
shaft and could be iSnited. In many instances
the vapor could be ignited the exhaust In
nearly all his tests, however, a good consumption
had been attained and the standard Of thermal eff
cheney of the motor maintained.
The session closed with the annual election of
officers. This resulted in unanimous reelection
of the present incumbents. who A L. Riker
Of the LocomcbiIe company chairman Coker F.
Clarkson. secretary; Henry Souther metallurgist,
and H. Z. Coffin, Of the Thomas Detroit Com
pany. chairman Of the test committee