Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-04-14
By Frederick G.. Russell.
After all Is said and done 1t Is the
pocketbook, not the car, that really
undergoes the Springtime overhaul.

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After all is said and done 1t Is the
pocketbook, not the car, that really
undergoes the Springtime overhaul.
After having some part Of the car
replaced do you follow the profitable
practice Of asking to see the old one
in order that you can come to Some
sort Of conclusion as to why the re-
placement was needed? Car owners
who do not take this precaution are
quite apt to have repetitions of the
trouble. Often there is an important
lesson in the damage as revealed by
worn or broken part.
Warped brake drums are a sample
Such wear may mean that the metal
wasn't heavy enough but more often
1t suggests being more careful setting
the hand brake after using the Serv-
ice brakes vigorously. If the brake
shoes are set against a heated drum
there is likely to be warpage when the
drum cools and contracts. Bad scor-
ing Of the drums may be evidence that
the shoes have been used too long OF
that the drums have not been cleaned
out often enough.
Worn parts tell a variety Of stories,
each with special tip to the car
owner. Simplest of illustrations is
the blackening Of breaker points, due
to deficient condenser. Another is
the corroded carburetor jet which sug-
gests that the owner has been using
an inferior grade Of gasoline.
II the front wheels tend to Shimmy
or reveal some similar instability after
the car has been creased the indica-
tons are that certain front-end parts
are loose and need replacing. Greas-
ing tends to change the position OF
loose parts, especially king pins and
shackles. That is why your service
man will recommend a greasing job
before making adjustments to the
steering assembly.
When the motor lacks acceleration
and tests show that the valves are not
at fault logical step is to suggest to
your service man that he consider the
carburetor's acceleration pump. Per-
haps the pump jet is clogged and
needs to be cleaned out with COM
pressed air or the plunger leather is
worn. Various things can happen to
the pump cylinder or to the arm that
actuates the pump itself. Most of
the acceleration pumps have an ad-
Unstable stroke. Too short a stroke
may be just as likely to cause the
motor to hesitate as one that is too
long.
It is a little early for this tip, but
If you switch off the motor some hot
day this coming Summer don't be
alarmed if the motor continues to
run for a few moments. Take such
action as a warning to have the
engine and cooling system looked over
at the first opportunity. If the motor
overheats it will often keep running
on its own heat for a few moments
after the electric ignition is switched
of.
This sort of action is known as
self-ignition. Within the next few
years women motorists are going to
hear a lot about Diesel motors, and
when this subject comes up for dis
cussion just give a thought to this
matter of self-ignition. Because
Diesel engine operates under such
high compression it generates enough
heat within its cylinders to ignite its
own gas vapor.
Whether or not your car carries a
dual ratio rear axle, or you are con-
templating having one attached to