Tombstone epitaph., 1917-03-04
PUT CAR IN SHAPE
AUTO OWNER SHOULD BE ABLE
 TO DO THIS HIMSELF.
Time for the Work is When Machine Is Laid Up on Account of Bad Roads or Weather-Hints
 That Will Help.

have read your articles in former issues concerning the overhauling of the car for the coming season, writes Wayne Higgins in the National Stock man and Farmer. In this particular section (where 80 per cent of the farm CTS own their own cars) there are at least three months during which the car has to be stored on account of the bad roads and indictment weather, and during this time it is very good idea either to overhaul the car yourself or have 1t done at garage. l strongly advocate the former course. The av- craze farmer who owns and operates an automobile can, by carefully read ing and studying the instruction books which accompany the car, prepare him. self to do all the overhauling neces- sary on the average car.
 Before beginning the overhauling of the car 1t is very good idea to provide a liberal quantity of the fol- lowing: gasoline, motor oil, kerosine, cup grease, transmission greases, cot ter pins, assorted nuts and washers aud a complete tool kit, all of which can be found at any good supply house at reasonable terms.
 Beginning at the front of the car at the wheels they should be removed and both sets of bearings and spindles thoroughly washed with gasoline and wiped dry with waste. If worn they should be adjusted, repacked with good grade of medium grease and re- placed. being sure to get the locknut In position, also the cotter pin, using new one if necessary. Next the springs should be separated and a thin ayer of graphite placed between leaves, to give resiliency and prevent squeaking.
 Next we will go to the motor. If the Jar has not been run over five to ten thousand miles it will not be neces- sary to take 1t down. However if the fywheel shows play when grasping it and trying to rock 1t sideways the cylinder block should be removed and the bearings frightened by removing one or more of the thin shims and retight- ening the nuts. The crank case and oil reservoir should be drained and thoroughly washed out with kerosene or gasoline. The cylinder head, com bustion chamber, etc, should be thor oughly scraped to remove all carbon deposits, the valves ground in till a thorough seat Is secured. Put new oil in crank case.
 It,N e, Nfn tens should be inspected. If radia- tor leaks 1t may be soldered, or If slight leaks occur in the tubes 1t may be repaired by using boiler compound or some of the many other prepara- tions on the market.
 The universal joints, transmission, differential, etc, should be washed out with gasoline and repacked with new grease. The wiring of the car should be thoroughly gone over and repaired if any breaks occur. The brushes on the commutator of the gen orator and starter motor should be replaced if badly worn. The commu- tator should be frightened by pressing a piece of emery cloth on it while run ming. The connecting terminals on the storage battery should be frightened before connecting to the system or it will not operate the starter properly. Do not forget to add distilled water regularly to the battery.
 The gasoline tank and line should be inspected to see that there are no leaks. Have the car thoroughly washed and If the paint is good have it given coat of good varnish. Brighten up the seats and top with a coat of seat and top dressing, let these thor oughly dry and set, and your car will run and look as good as ever.