South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-09-29

and lubricate them?
Your trouble is caused partly by
stiff springs and partly by dry
springs Remove rust from each
leaf, and cover thoroughly with
graphite grease. Replace, leaving
out shortest leaf. II this is not
sufficient. remove middle leaf. 1t
would not be advisable to weaken
the spring any furthur, as there
would be danger OF breakage when
car is filled with passengers.
Motoring Department, The News
Times,-Kindly give me your ad-
vice as to the following: Many
people advise the discar ding of the
oil from the crank case Of a new
motor after said motor has been
run about 800 miles, and 1 should
like 10 know II IL would not be
possible to strain this oil through
three of four thicknesses of linen
sheeting, and thus remove the par
ticles Of iron from pistons and par
ticles Of babbitt which are TO be
found in this oil, and in this man
Can YOU suggest any other means
Of removing these metal particles
from oil of a new motor? Can you
suggest a way to strain any particles
Of water from the cylinder
oil? Would you advise a substance
called "Smooth-on Iron Cement
for use in closing a crack in the
cylinder head? Hoping for an early
reply I am, G.. G.
First, let the heavy particles set
tie; then decant carefully and strain
the oil as suggested. Be sure to use
linen, as the lint from cotton might
cause trouble. A little gasoline mix
ed with the oil will help the pro-
cess, but this should be evaporated
before using the oil again. AS the
oil floats on water. II should be
easy 10 separate them. Smooth
on" is used for just such purposes
as closing cracks in the water
jacket. but welding is better, as the
Joint is then much stronger.
Motoring Department, The News
Times.-Will you please send me
several formulas for making wet
batteries. Also. is the ground as
good conductor Of electricity as a
wire. and does it take more cur
rent? Thanking you for your in
formation. I am F. NJ.
There are so many kinds Of wet
batteries-some Of low voltage,
some OF high voltage, some OF
open-circuit work and some for
closed circuit work-that we are
uncertain which you want. Prob
ably a 25-cent handbook on bat
teries. obtainable at any bookstore,
would give you all the information
necessary. The earth is a better
conductor than any wire, provided
you make proper connections Sink
copper plate a foot or more
square in ground that is always wet,
and use a zinc plate at the other
end OF your line. The loss OF cur
rent due to the ground" would not
be appreciate.
Motoring Department. The News
Times.-In reading over the speci-
ications OF several cars I find the
words "Hotchkiss drive used.
Would you kindly inform me as 70
what this means? Has this form OF
drive any advantage over the other
different forms? Thanking you for
your answer. I am, ]. F.
The Hotchkiss drive delivers the
push Of the rear axle 20 the frame
and prevents the axle housing from
turning. On other cars the torque
(torsion) rod prevents the rear axle
housing from turning and the radius
rods push the car ahead The
Hotchkiss drive saves the weight OF
these two parts hut uses elightlv
heavier spring. Engineers differ as
10 the relative values o. these types.
Motoring Department, The News
Times.-Although I am not a reg
ular subscriber to your paper. I
purchase a paper every week, and
Immediately turn to Motoring
Problems TO see II there is any
thing In my line. and I am sure
that I have gotten lots OF good
points. too Would like your advice
on the following: Some months ago
7 sent for a device which appeared
70 be something new on the market /
Il was in the shape OF spark plug
with several rounds Of fine wire on
the end. which, when inserted di-
rectly above carburetor in intake
and the switch on. Will heat fuel
striking wires. and 50 start engine
with one crank Of motor. The firm
had II advertised, but. unfortunate