The Elbert County tribune., 1920-03-26
OVERHAUL AUTO
AT EARLY DATE
Spring Is Time to Get Car Into
Shape for Use During En-
tire Summer Season.
SOME TIMELY SUGGESTIONS
First Question to Be Decided is Wheth-
er There Is Any Part Of Mechan-
ism Needing Repair That
Owner Cannot Give.

It used to be the fashion for village
debating societies to discuss at need
less length the thrilling question OF
whether the pleasures of anticipation
are greater than those of realization.
We need not enter into this now, but
certainly the present season, with its
antlcipations of the joyous time just
ahead, is not the least pleasurable of
the motorcar owners year.
But II the full enjoyment of these
coming days Of spring is to be realized
the car owner must give his vehicle
some careful attention at the present
moment.
The first question that must be de-
cided in undertaking the spring over
haul Is whether there is any vital part
of the mechanism that requires atten-
tion which the owner does not feel able
to give. Does the rear axle need over
hauling? Is the transmission good for
another season? Do the engine bear
ings require adjustment? If the car
must go to the service station for some
replacement or repair, take 1t today.
As a beginning of the work that you
intend to do yourself make a careful
list of all parts and equipment that
you are going to need. Gather the vari-
Gus things you expect to use. cotter
pins, nuts. bolts, valve-grinding COM
pound, patches, cement, waste, gas
kets, grease. graphite. oils. kerosene,
valve spring. litter. etc.
Cleaning Comes First
With the materials all gathered and
ready to hand. the first step in over
hauling is a thorough cleaning. This
should include not only the body, but
the upholstery and the running gear
underneath the vehicle. The engine
should be thoroughly cleaned, all
gummy deposits being removed with
kerosene. All oil compartments, crank
case, gearset, differential, etc, must be
drained of their old oil, and after be-
ing flushed out with kerosene should
be refilled with fresh lubricant.
1t is best to begin with the engine
and gradually work back through the
mechanism. Unless the cylinders have
recently had carbon removed this is
the first step.
The carbon having been removed,
the next step Is to grind the valves.
For this operation a valve spring lift
er is needed and some good grinding
compound. A grinding tool is extreme
ly handy for the work, but screw
driver may be used
Put Back Cylinder Head.
With this work done the cylinder
head should be put back 1t is not
advisable to use the old gasket in re-
assembling. A new gasket should be
ready to install. The seat should be
perfectly clean and the gasket should
be covered with little shellac and
then be put in place. After applying
the cylinder head tighten the nuts.
drawing down first one little and
then the opposite one. Do not draw
one nut down all the way and so on
around, as this may spring the cylin-
der head.
The inlet manifold will next require
little attention. The gasket here
will probably need replacement and
shee asbestos will be used, literally
covered with graphite. Finally give
the engine a general tightening up.
Use the wrench on all nuts; tighten
the pump packing nut If a pump is
used. Give the fan any adjustment
1t mag need. Tighten all the ignition
wire terminals. See that the magne-
to. If one Is used, is tightly bolted
down. Do the same for the generator.
The starting and lighting system will
require an overhauling. and this had
best be delegated to the service sta
ton.