The Washington herald., 1917-12-09
AUTO QUESTIONS.

have been trying to vulcaniZe
patches on q punctured tube, but have
not been very successful. as the rub
Der around the patches becomes hard
and soon afterward it cracks. Please
tell me the cause.-A. NJ. T.
The trouble is the result OF over
Vulcanization; in, other words, you
have cooked the tube too much and 1t
has become "crusty." Modern portable
VulcaniZers are usually so construct
ed as to prevent this, the effect being
gained either by the limitation of fuel
or the use of special patches which
are combined with just sufficient heat
ing medium to do the work properly.
You would do well to invest in one of
these; IL will cost you about $50 and
will save both trouble and tubes.
have been using tire chains, and
now find that they have cut into the
tread Of the tire. giving the effect of
diagonal grooves which seem to reach
almost to the tire lining. What can
be done to remedy this trouble?-
Anxious.
You have evidently fitted the chains
too tightly. The proper way to fit
them is to apply them so that they
are sufficiently free to move around
the wheel This will stop the trouble.
but be sure that you do not fit them
so loosely that there may be danger
OF their flying of. II too loose the
cross chains may disengage themselves
and damage the tenders. besides set
ting up an annoying rattle.
My electric starter is fitted with a
BendiN drive: can you tell be how 1t
operates?-K. B.
This form of drive Is fitted to many
tstarters. In nontechnicaI language II
Consists Of driving spring so ar
ranged that when the electric motor
starts II drives through the spring
and turns A screw shaft. The idea is
that with this form of drive the motor
Is able to exert a greater starting
power for the reason that the spring
takes up the initial shock. It also
serves to disengage the starting motor
automatically when a predetermined
speed is reached. A drawing of the
gear. with full details, has been mailed
to you.
1 have been told that my high ten
sion magnetic can be wired so as to
furnish current for head lights and
tail lamp. Is this so. and what
changes are necessary in order to
make good job?-K. G. p.
No. You cannot use a high tension
magnetic for anything but ignition.
The voltage Is far too high. it may be
anything from 1000 UP and the aver
age lighting current is six volts.
Which is, a disc clutch or a cone
clutch, the better?-O. T.
Both in theory and practice either
type acts equally well. For some
years both types were equally popular,
but in 1916 and the present year the
disc type has gone ahead. and is now
represented by about s. per cent of the
total number.
Can YOU tell me IL It is possible to
use coal gas instead Of gasoline for
fuel? / have heard that owing to
shortage of gasoline it may be one of
the substitute fuels used.-M. C.
Yes. not only possible but quite prac-
ncable If You can get the right gas.
In England motor buses, trucks and
passe nSer cars are using coal gas, but
the gas is bit different from ours,
as Il has been already freed from GER
tain by-productS which are utilized in
the manufacture of high explosives
and dyes. You will receive a number
OF Illustrations OF these vehicles which
may interest you. Already steps are
being taken to standardize similar coal
gas on this side OF the Atlantic. BY
the way, good gasoline can be made
from natural gas.
What is the object of having the
front wheels OF an automobile closer
together at the bottom than at the
top and also closer at the front than
at the rear?-L. P. D.
The frst condition Is known as the
Gambler Of the wheel and its object
is to render steering easier. The sec
ond condition II called the toe-ln OF the
wheel and Its main object is to count
eract any slight play in the bearings
and steering mechanism.
should I test my storage battery
with q hydrometer before or after
adding water? Friends Disagree on
the point and I should be glad to
know which is right.-ryro.
Always test before adding water. as
otherwise the solution will be diluted
and you will get an incorrect reading
Another point to remember Is that a
little time Is required for the water
to mix with the rest of the solution
and therefore you should wait a few
hours in order to obtain q really ac-
curate reading.
have been told that when my
water pump leaks can remedy the
fault by tightening up the nut at the
side I have done so, but the leak
continues. What Is the reaSon?-I
Argus.
The packing Of the gland needs re-
newaL Unscrew the nut, pick out
what Is left Of the old packing and
repack with candle wicking soaked In
tauow. Replace the nut. but do not
turn II too tightly as you may cause
danass. The job 10 quite simple but
needs . little care.
! am having quite . lot Of trouble
win headlight bulbs. The nlaments
oreAk ro6 very often, and. Of course,
ms means new bulbA-E- J. B.
" your car the headlights are in
,aned on TIE tenders Examine the
Z aasr and II you and they are loose
nave probably discovered the
loose tenders insar added VIZ |
sifrer.
What ahould % with eone eIuteh |
"en psrsists slippinsi I Havv
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