Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1910-01-24
LONGER STROKE
IMPROVES MOTOR
E. R. THOMAS DISCUSSES NEW
AUTO DESIGNS
CLAIMS AMERICAN CARS ARE
BETTER THAN FOREIGN
Manufacturer of New York to Paris
Race Winner Tells of Develop
ment in Up to Date
Product
ny f. r.. THOMAS

The advent of the automobile was
made possible only by the development
of gas engines of extreme lightness.
An automobile engine usually weighs
some fifteen to eighteen pounds per
"A. L. A. NJ Cor conservatiYely rated
horse power. as compared with about
80 pounds per horse power in the old
stationary type of gas engines.
The trend of present day automobile
engine design is toward the long stroke,
and toward quietness and higher eff
cheney.
The modern long stroke tendency
started largely on account of the Won
derful speeds attained by cars with
long stroke motors in the European
four" races. The principal reason for
this new development is to secure
longer lived motors, since the longer
the stroke the slower the motor can
run and still deliver its full power.
During the past five years the auto
mobile has undergone great develop
ment, and at an unprecedented speed,
a phase which every new mechanic
is obliged to pass through. 1t has
been improved in quality and cheap
ened by the natural method of elimina-
ton of the more unfit constructions.
This process is still going on, but at a
slower pace than formerly.
ton to the valve-operating mechanism.
to the carburetor and to the exhaust
line It has been given remarkable
flexibility by Improvements principally
in the carburetor and valve setting,
and the magnetic has come into its own
as the most reliable source Of ignition
current The radiators have been
strengthened and increased in cooling
efficiency. The cylinder jacketing and
fabrication have been cared for in such
a way that there is no longer any ex-
cuse for an oyerheated motor.
Transmission Is Perfected
In the transmitting system the old
cone clutch has been greatly improved,
and the new disc types have been de-
veloped almost to perfection, our own
patented three-dfsc clutch, I believe,
being about as perfect as disc can be.
Through the use of special material
and of special toothed forms, together
with the annular type of ball bearings,
gear boxes have been reduced in size
and silenced. The sliding gear has
practically eliminated all other forms
of transmission The live rear axle
with entirely inclosed driving mech
anism has been developed from most
uncertain mechanism to one of the
most positive and reliable units in the
car.
AS regards the running gear, the
pressed steel frame came into being
but little more than five years ago,
and was seen only on one or two cars
for several seasons. 1t is now univer-
sal, its advantages from the standpoint
of strength, lightness and cheapness
being now thoroughly understood.
For front axles the one-piece drop
forging and I-beam section has taken
the place of the old built up tube, or
hand-forged rectangular section.
The springs, especially in the rear,
have been heightened, f1attened and
made of better material, with CORE
spending increase in comfort, especial
ly at high speeds.
The wheels, apart from the hubs
and tires, have undergone less change
than any other important element, but
considered as whole the adoption of
drawn metal hubs, roller and ball bear
ings, together with detachable rims,
have modified this unit very appre-
ciably.
In this way it may be said that every