South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-07-25
MOTORISTS PROBLEMS
Solved for Readers of
The News Times
By William II. Ste1Cart, J.

Motor Department. have SIS
volt . G p. dash light, which /
thought could be installed on my
Ford car (I91S model, but l have
been unable 10 make IL work when
attached 20 lighting system. Is
there any way this dash light can
be wired with head lights so as 70
operate with regular switch? Or
will it be necessary TO use dry cells?
How many dry cells would be re-
quired? g. :.
Connect wire from generator post
10 dash light and from dash light
20 switch. Run another wire from
the switch 10 ground. Dry cells are
not serviceable for lights. They are
best suited for intermittent service.
Motor Department:-Cant the new
ignition system in a 1918 Maxwell
be taken out and a magnetic be put
in instead? If so, what would be
the cost? I would like 10 know If
this would be advisable. as I would
like 10 have the magnetic run the
lights and start the engine on in
stead OF the new system now in the
cars. READER.
vises that a magnetic can be installed
very easily. A new drive coupling
Will be needed. The cost of install
lation should be small and the total
cost will depend upon what make Of
magnetic you buy. The magnetic
will provide ignition only. The gen
orator Will provide current for the
battery and lights in the usual man
ner.
Motor Department. have a new
1920 touring car with a six cylinder
Continental engine which has been
used about 5000 miles. When trav-
cling above % miles per hour there
seems 10 be a Gathering noise in the
engine like a loose bearing. This
noise only develops after a speed
Of % miles is reached. Can you
offer any suggestion as TO the cause.
have delayed having the engine
opened up believing that you may
OFFER a helpful solution. +. L.
End play in the cam shaft or pump
shaft will cause the noise. At the
front end Of the cam shaft there
is a tension spring which should
prevent end motion Of the shaft IN
crease the tension OF this spring by
inserting a washer. Also remove all
end play from the pump drive shaft
Where hehcal timing gears are used,
one gear tries 70 climb the other at
certain engine speeds and a noise
will result If free end play Is allowed
to develop.
Motor Department:-My car is a
1917 model and has had very good
care, but recently il seems TO be
using q great deal Of oil, and ! have
to remove carbon more frequently
than ever before. Would fitting new
piston rings help? READER.
New rings would help TO some ex-
tent unless the cylinders are badly
out of round or scored. These de-
tails can only be determined by
careful inspection after taking down
the engine. Try a heavier grade of
lubricaing oil than the one you are
using. After a year or two OF wear
It is always necessary to use a
heavier oil.
Motor Department:-Ki Kindly advise
me If damage will result from con
Meeting an ignition coil, intended for
four dry cells, TO 6volt. so am
pere battery. l.. +.
Your four cells. connected in
series gave you about six volts, SO
that there will be no objection 10
the change you mention.
Motor Department,-The radiator
on my car leaks in various places.
have had il repaired several times.
but shortly afterward new leaks APP
pear. Some friends advise my USING
fiaxseed In the radiator in order to
close UP the small holes? What do
YOU think about it? Would IL be
apt to spoil the radiator entirely?
W. S.
The use Of faxseed or anything
similar viii not remedy the trouble
satisfactorily. II is more liable to
do harm than good If properly
suspended on the frame, or cross
member Of the frame. the radiator
should not cause so much trouble. IL
is customary to cushion or other
wise relieve IL from unnecessary
strains. The use OF springs or a
felt pad may help. Permanent re
pairs 10 radiator are best affected
BY soldering the defective sections
Motor Department: - I have a
1917 car, and would like 10 know
what care 70 give the distributor
and other parts with It. I mean the
part with all the wires running
from It TO the spark plugs.
NOVICE.
Keep outside clean with a cloth
dipped in gasoline, as dirt will cause
short circuits. Clean inside Of dis
tributor at least once a month In
the same way. See that the carbon
brush il lot broken, that il moves
freely in its guide and that the
spring is strong. Keep the If err
rupter points clean by drawn
piece OF double ought sandpapeI oe-
tween thcm once a month y
EOv- far the points separate, and
sec II this distance is the same each
time you inspect IT, X eep nc
fosteuings tight and prevent short
circuits.
Motor Departments: u Ny brakes
are slipping, and tightening the ad-
iustment does not seem 70 do any
good. Please give me a list OF
causes OF slipping so that L may
know what 70 look for. A. L.
Other causes are grease from
axle. worn lining. so that rivets touch
brake drum, wear Of fastenlngs.
brake rods too far extended, and bell
cranks out Of proper angle for good
leverage.
&c