Los Angeles herald., 1910-01-14
FEW CHANGES IN
THOMAS MODELS
THE CHASSIS TO BE MARKETED
NEXT YEAR
MOTOR BECOMES
FEATURE
Development of Various Parts Has
Resulted in a Very High De-
gree of Efficiency in
New Cars
BY d. w. sEMPLE

While the e. r. Thomas Motor COM
pany has not made any decided
changes in it's 1910 models, particularly
in it's two larger ones (the models f
and K). its Little Six and Town car
shows several refinements and addi-
tions.
For 1911 the company will market
three chassis, a Thomas model NJ $40.
the K $40 and the r Town ear 4-2S.
The new long stroke motor which
has attained such popularity in Eu-
rope and which engineers have conced-
ed to be the best form of engine con-
struction has been made one of the es-
sential features of both the new
Thomas model M and Town car.
The advantage of the long stroke en-
gine is that it does not have to revolve
so fast to deliver it's power. In other
words, the long stroke motor will wear
a much longer time than a short stroke
motor.
Flexible Engine Produced
Large gas passages and valves one
half the diameter of the cylinders,
coupled with the long stroke design.
have produced an engine which is so
flexible that it can be driven at any
speed from two miles an hour to sixty
on high gear.
The water jacketing is another feat
ure to which special attention has
been paid. Every possible portion of
the cylinder wells and valve chambers
has been jacketed and the circulation
so arranged that the coolest water
comes in where the metal is hottest.
The centrifugal pump used is a min
iature reproduction of that efficient
type used in large hydraulic work. A
belt driven fan of cast aluminium op-
Grating behind an extra large surfaced
honeycomb radiator adds much to the
efficiency of the cooling system.
While the past models have been
noted for their quietness, this year by
the use of little surgical instrucent
called the "phonendoscope" even the
smallest knocks and noises have been
localized and removed from the motor
while 1t is in the block testing depart
ment.
The valve clearance has been re-
duced to .0O4 of an inch. The rotating
and reciprocating parts have been
carefully balanced, both statically and
dramatically The compression IL all
cylinders has been made equal in order
that uniform explosions may result and
the motor run free from vibration.
Shafts Carefully Fitted
All the SndIlS nave Deeu carefully
fitted and the cams more accurately
ground. All parts have been fitted
with more precision and great stress
has been laid upon the heat treating
processes. The e. r. Thomas Motor
company states that it has the best
automobile steel heat-treating depart
ment in this country, and by the use
of this department in connection with
the physical and chemical laboratory
1t has been able to incorporate in this
years models materials which in their
composition and treatment are even
better than those formerly used.
The transmission also shows the
mark of careful design. 1t weighs only
eighty-two pounds and is of very
strong but compact design.
The gears are of nickel steel and run
on annular ball bearings.
The transmission is connected with
the motor through two joints of the in
ternal gear type by new design
clutch of the Thomas three-disc pat
ented type. The flywheel is OF steel in
stead of cast iron.