Evening star., 1920-06-13
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
FOR THE AUTOlNORZZLST,S
Answer. to Last week. Questions.

Answers to Last Weeks Questions.
/. Direct short-circuitlng of a
storage battery by the use of wire or
| other metal to produce spark at a
| terminal Is the wrong method COM
monty used in testing a battery. This
method may crack or buckle the
plates within the battery. Batteries
| should be tested with an ammeter for
amperage or flow Of current and with
a hydrometer for specific gravity.
2. Clearness can be restored to
scratched celluloid windows by ap-
plying thin coating Of ether with
a soft brush II the scratches are light
or fine. If the scratches are heavy
an application of white shellac or
varnish, put on with a brush, Will
help restore the clearness. The sole
idea is to fill up the scratches with a
prevents the light from coming
through the cut edges of the scratches
3. The compression of scored CYL
inder will be greatly restored, with
out reboring. if flake graphite is fed
through the carburetor air valve to
the motor while it is in operation
The graphite will fill the scratches
on the cylinder walls, resulting in a
better compression temporarily.
A. The springs of car-and par
ticularly an old one-should be clean
ed of all rust between the leaves and
coated with graphite and grease at
the beginning of the season. After
500 or 900 miles the leaves should be
creased again by simply prying the
leaves apart and spreading the lubri-
cant over the surface with a knife.
Thereafter it is only necessary to ap :
ply oil to the friction surfaces OF
each spring leaf every 500 miles. Eff
| ficiently to remove all rust 1t is nee
essary to remove the springs from the
car.
electric wiring, where the wires are
not defective. may be soft or porous
Insulation When the car Is not IN
motion the defective insulation may
not cause any trouble. But snort
circuiting is usually the result when
tbe car IS in motion. because the vi
hration may cause the wires to touch
some metal part This is difficult TO
Locate because the -circuiting Is
spasmodic. ,,,,.s IN
tires are: l, rotting fabric, due 10
water or oil soaking through a deep
cut: ., a sharp blow given the tire oy
some object encountered on the rodu
1the result of such a blow may break X
the inside layer of fabric. when VIII
make the tire bend more at ma.
noint and finally break the other lay
arsa. 2 underinfiation will cause TOO
much friction and heat at the neSlns
noir,ts resulting in loosentng the iaoTic
from the tread, and this VIII sVen.uay
crack the fabric and cause oioMou., =
a rim cut or nail hole OF cut u noS
Iected will result in rotting: ., over
loading and overintiation Will strain
the fabric. and from constant use
make it break ,,h,a outside
of the usual set supplied with the cal
1a r.
sizes Of files, two or three .nd
scrawdriyers a StilSon wrench anu
an assortment of rivets. ...+ for
good emergency substitute lot
a burnt-out electric fuse is 70 us
several layers of tinfoil wrapps.u
eho,+ tho old fuse. This will provide
an adeuuate connection and also VIII VII,
function like a fuse, in that lt WIN
melt in case the current peconteS ~
strong. Two or three layers Oh iish'
foil are sufficient. .oo+
the finish Of car because of the dl1-
ference in coefficients of expansion
of the metal body and the finish ap-
p.u IN landaulet- Limousine is
,;nousine in which the rear part OF
the top opens berlin is nmou-
sine in which the drivers seat IS IN
closed. but separated from the COM
partment for passengers.
New Questions.
1. Should a standard size inner tune
he used on q cord tire, or IS an over
size recommended? :.
2. Is the usual rubber or clo1h IN
suIation for electric wiring sufnclent
protection from oil or water?
8. What is the proper way to apply
tire tread filler?
d. In going over the car at the be-
ginning of the season what are some
Of the things the average motorist
can attend to in the electric system
to insure good starting and lighting!
4 What are some common sources
of soueaks and rattIes in an auto?
6. What are some Of the things to
consider in buying a new car?
Z. What are some ways to dlscour-