Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-29
HOST Of CHANGES
NOTED IN 1928 CARS
Engine improvements and
New Color Schemes Mark
Latest Models.
By G. ADAMS HOWARD.

BY G.. ADAMS HOWARD.
Changes in the 1928 automobile from
the car of last year vary among the
different makes displayed. A SIM
ilarity in lines among the majority OF
machines will be noticed even between
some Of the low and high priced cars.
These lines embody a grace and soft
ness that never before have been
eSualed.
The bodies of nearly all the cars are
lower and in many instances longer.
Careful study o. colors is noted III the
bodies and as result the display pro-
vi6eS a variety OF shades.
Besides style. the observer will find
mechanical changes 10 develop power.
and under this head comes speed and
endurance. In the more expensive
field, engine outputs have been stepped
UP by increasing piston displacement,
by increasing the compression ratio
and. il the Ease Of eight-cylindeT
vertical engines, by the adoption OF
dual carburetorS md dual manifo!ds
In the lower priced cars. in which field
is found the four-Cylin6er engines,
there are many instances Of power in
crease. which has been achieved ii
most cases by increasing the speed of
the motor and its volumetric efficiency
Horsepower Over 100.
II the higher-priced field the actual
horSepowerS are well over 100. the
Lincoln rating ar 10. the StutZ and
the ChrySler so at ll2 each. One
noted change in the engine design this
year is the wide use OF the aluminium
piston. Aluminium alloy connecting
rods are not in such great use. although
they form part of the equipment on the
Eupnlobile, Franklin and Continental
on the new eight of the latter.
Improvement has been continued in
the cooling OF valves. in that the water
jackets now generally extend all the
way around all Of the valve seats.
where heretofore was common wall
between the inlet and exhaust valves.
Dual valve springs are being used more
than ever, which tend 10 prevent spring
breakage due TO spring surge. Frank
lin, Packard and Jordan are among
these users. Vibration hampers are
used On most OF the skies and Fights.
Old Mountings in Favor
For several years past there has been
q return TO the four-point mountings
for engines. which had almost gone
out Of use 10 years ago. This change
in practice is due to the increasing use
Of closed models and the increasing car
speeds. which has made 1t necessary
TO Stifen the frames. A four-point
support and rigid crankcase add
greatly 10 the stiffness Of the frame in
the forward end.
In regard to fuel systems. it is to be
noted that there is a trend toward
pump fuel feed. On the Studebaker
eight-cylinder model the Oakland, the
Pontiac and the new Graham-Paige,
the AC diaphragm-type fuel pump.
which was first made public at the
show Of last year, has been adopted
now as standard equipment. while the
StutZ is fitted with the Autopuls cleo
trio pump. The control Of heat has
become a rather common feature Oh
the larger engines. There is valve
IN the exhaust manifold at about the
middle of its length on the Studebaker.
When this valve is closed from the
operators seat the exhaust gases from
the three rear cylinders are compelled
TO flow through the jacket on the inlet
escape directly.
Wiring Is Improved.
Electric wiring of the ignition has
been improved upon, especially IN the
smaller, lowey-priced cars. and spark
plug cable tlaoeS ase more in evidence
on engines OF these cars. Soft rubber
covers, Or protectors are being used
also more extensively on the insulators
OF the spark plugs. TO protect them
from water spray and consequent crack
Ing.
Attention has been given TO the i'm
proVement Of cooling systems. The
thermuSyphon system OF circulation,
whica was In great use 10 years ago,
has become practically obsolete. the rea-
son being the general trend toward
multi-cylinder motor. 10 which this
system is not well adapted. Thermostatic
control OF the circulation is common
feature on some Of the more expensive
models. Considerable variety exists in
the location Of the thern1OStaf, the most
common plan being 10 place the bel
lows" In the water outlet from the
cylinder head al the forward end OF the
motor In the new Pontiac engine the
cylinder heads are made in two cast
ings, each comprising the heads for
three cylinders This design makes II
unnecessary 10 disturb the ignition unit.
which is located on top Of the engine
II the middle, when IL becomes neces-
ssry 70 remove the cylinder heads for
grinding valves or cleaning out carbon.
Pumps and Fans Combined.
Use Of the two cylinder head castings
made it imperative 10 provide mani
fold for the return Of the water. each
branch Of which is joined TO one Of the
castings. In this case the thermOstat
Is arranged horizontally In the manifold,
which later connects 10 the radiator
top tank al one side, 50 as not TO in
terfere with the radiator fan. Eyapora-
ton cooling Is not yet In regular produc-
tioa, but some advantages Of j. are
seen 10 The new Pontiacs and Oaklancs.
By adopting q croSs-fiow type VI
radiator the loss NJ alcohol is nin!mized
during the Winter. Circulation pumps
are ncw generally combined with The
radiator fans.
The pump On the Etutz Is mounted al
the side Of the crank caSe, ia accoTcance
with the older practice and Is secured