South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-12-28
Motor Cars
MOTORISTS PROBLEMS
Solved for Readers of
The NeWS-TimeS
By William II. Ste1cart, Jr.


Motor Department. The News
Times-After grinding all the
valves in my car I End that the
first and third cylinders have no
compression. noticed this when
the engine missed. and am at a loss
10 know what is wrong. Can YOU
give me a suggestion. +. ".
The trouble most likely lies in
the adjustment Of the valve push
rods or valve filters These can be
adjusted more accurately when the
engine is warm. During the time
that the valve IS closed there should
ne a clearance between the top of
the push rod and the bottom. OF the
valve stem. That slight clearance
allows the valve 20 seat properly
even when expanded. II is also
possible that the leak may be
through "a valve cap or spark plug
en- even Dos due 90 a broken or
poor-httiug piston ring.
Motor Department.. Tho News
Times Would YOU please let me
know what they mean when they
s.,y the car is gearcd four 20 one
and how can 7 find out how To do
IT, Thanking you in advance. am
A. l..
The rear axle ratio is usually
meant by such a term. You can
determine tho gear ratio OF the diff
ferential gears by counting the
teeth of each and dividing the
number Of teeth OF the smaller gear
into the larger The term four 20
one gear ratio means that the
crank shaft Of tho engine completes
four revolutions 20 ono of the rear
wheels. From this sou viii note
that no gear reduction takes place
iu tho transmission. but that direct
drive is considered.
Motor Department. The News
Tines am demonstrating an old
ear and wondered if 7 could install
a. worm gear drive. Please let me
know how to go about this.
READER.
II will be impossible for you TO
install the worm drive construction
in tho old axle. on account OF the
design OF tho worm gear axle il will
DE necessary 20 install a complete
unit. This. Of course. would be
rather expensive. The housing Of
tho bevel type differential is con-
structed entirely different from that
Of the worm gear type.
Motor Department The News
Times have "A car which weighs
approximately $500 pounds. II Is
equipped with 34x4tA inch tires.
1lave been considering putting on
oversize tires namely, S5X4ls. Do
YOU think I would save any tire ex-
pense doing this2 T. X
Yes. IL is advisable While the ini-
tial expense OF the tires viii be
more. YOU will find that YOU will get
greater mileage from the tires TO
make I'D for the additional expense
of making the change
Motor Department. The News
Times intend 10 take batteries
out or nay car. drain radiator and
store IL for the winter. Please tell
me how may be able 10 start the
engine easily when I restore them
iu the spring. viii there be any
trouble? SUBSCRIBER.
Take good care Of your battery
during the winter. Keep II charged
IL YOU are not prepared to do this.
you had better turn it over to some
battery service station. II you
store YOUR car i'm a warm dry place
you VIII have no trouble starting
The engine in the spring
Motor Department. The News
Tlmes.-TEe steering gear in my
ear causes a grinding noise when
turning corners. Several mechan-
IFS have told me all that is needed
is plenty of grease. ] have filled
the gear several times with grease.
., seems TO help a little. although
The noise is not eliminated entirely
and every day now it seems to be
setting worse ] do not like 10 feel
Jhat there is anything wrong with
the steering gear. but not knowing
anything about IL I would appre-
ciate a suggestion before going to
The expense of having the whole
thing taken out A W.
In most steering heads there are
thrust bearings 10 allow perfect
freedom OF action and prevent bind
ing. when strains are applied such
IS IN turning corners, etc. One OF
these bearings may be broken IL Is
very obvious that II grease will not
stop the noise the trouble Is more
serious than simply the want OF
fabrication. II Is dangerous 70 rur
q car with an imperfect steerinl
scar. and for this reason would
certainly suggest that no time be
lost IN disassem bling the unit and
making a careful inspection.
Motor Department The News
Times.-Please advise through YOUR