1929-03-21 — Page 13

THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 1929.

EASY STARTING.

A WORD ON FUELS ON MOTORS

THE CHINA MAIL,

clean the points, and adjust the LIFTING SIMPLIFIED gaps by using the gauge to be found in the tool kit. If this gauge is not to be found, it is better to buy one or to make an

NEW FOUR-WHEEL JACK

|

CARS IN AFRICA

A TRADING OPPORTUNITY FOR BRITONS

A new system for the "jacking- up" of motor vehicles was de- monstrated at the Savoy Hotel, London, on February 8, The "Jackall," as the invention is called, is a four-wheel hydraulic where he went If

device by means of which any or all of the wheels of a car can be automatically raised from the ground, individually in 12sec., on all four in less than 2min.

Sir William Letts, president of the Motor Trades Association, arrived at Southampton from Cape Town on February 11 after his first visit to South Africa, to study the motor-car situation at first hand. "There is a wonderful future,"

The modern automobile improvised one in the shape of power unit, as a rule, calls for a four Gillette razor blades fasten minimum of attention, and, gened together. Plug point gaps dif- erally, will leap into action at the fur with the type of engine and first impulse of the starter motor ignition fitted, and range, as a or crank handle. This is because general rule, between 20 and 30 of the excellence of the design one-thousandths of an inch. and the robust parts that are accurate information cannot be built into it. In spite of this, it obtained about the gap a good is quite a common thing, almost general opening is: 020in. for a daily occurrence, in fact, to see cars fitted with magneto ignition, some one or other in the last and .022in. for battery systems. stages of physical exhaustion into gummy valve stems, burned or Poor compression may be due to start up the car by sheer brute warped valve seats, or worn. force. One is apt to ask, "Why is cylinders and piston rings. Pro-

an earnest but foolish endeavour

this?"

A moment's thought must con- vince any sane person that if the motor will not fire after being rotated a few times, whether by starter or by hand, something must be amiss, and unless the fault is located it is only putting off the evil day of breaking down. As a general rule'a motor does not become stubborn or “cranky” sud- denly rather, it appears to drift gradually into this state. A week, perhaps, a little longer than usual will be needed on the self-starter. The next week longer still, and so on, until the battery gives up the ghost and the "daily dozen" on the crank handle becomes a troublesome necessity. Long ere this the motorist should have tried to figure out the reason by checking up the general condition of the motor. Almost without exception the trouble will be due to: Leaks in the induction sys- tem, faulty ignition or plugs, in- ferior fuel or poor compression. As air is only intended to enter the eylinders via the carburettor, any leaks will weaken the mixture and cause uneven running and difficulty in starting. With the engine running at just better than idling speed, get an oil can and squirt petrol round each of the joints and the unions of the in- take manifold Leaks may easily be detected by an alteration in the speed of the motor. If the speed of the motor alters appre ciably, locate the part of the manifold at which the alteration takes place, and you have found the leak. Tighten up all nuts, and, if this is not effective, instal new gaskets. If an air leak is found in the spindle or barrel of the carburettor a new one should be fitted at once, in order to get satisfactory running and economy

of fucl.

Ignition Systems Present-day ignition systems are very reliable, but to ensure consistent starting the plugs and distributor should be given a "once over" at least once a month, or, if the car is not used very much, every 500 miles. Take out the plugs with a box spanner,

“PONTIAC”

"CHIEF

OF THE

SIXES."

Sole Agents:-

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New Motors Head

right, from, the chairmanship of the Retirement of M. Pierre S. Du Pont, board, of General Motors, has been followed by the appointment of M. Lamont Du Pont, left, as his successor.

vided that the carburettor is cor rectly adjusted, that familiar "popping back" when starting the engine is sure to be caused by gummy valves. The reason is that the stems and guides wear, and excess lubricating oil lodges between them and becomes ear- bonised. When cold, this oil be- comes gummy, with the result that, while the valve opens when pushed by the cam, the valve spring cannot pull it back quickly enough on to the seating.. A temporary remedy is to squirt kerosene on the stems, but the only sure cure is to renew the guides or fit oversize valves.

A Rapid Test

A rapid but effective test for leakage of gas past the rings can be made by placing the car near the crankcase breather. Warm the engine thoroughly, switch it off, and crank very slowly with the handle. A distinct "his" will be heard in the crankcase on the compression stroke, and by noting which pair of valves are closed it is possible to identify the offending cylinder.

The mechanism consists of four small telescopic feet, permanently fitted close to the wheels on both axles. The control is contained in a small box situated on the run- ning board. In the control box is a dial, the position of which is set to a number indicating the wheel it is desired to raise. A pump is then operated by means of a short detachable handle, and the jack indicated by the position descends to the road surface. To lower the car the pointer is turn- ed to the "release" position, when the jack slowly closes up.

he said, "for the motor-car indus- try there. South Africa to-day, in my opinion, is in a very pros- perous condition. Everybody is optimistic, and I think they are entitled to be. There is no motor- car manufacturing out there, but two well-known firms are assem- bling cara at Port Elizabeth. One purpose of my visit was to study the possibility of my firm putting up assembling plant, but at the moment I cannot say more about that.

.

Cars are selling in South Africa in large and increasing numbers. In my opinion, too, there is cer- tainly going to be big business in commercial vehicles. The roads A similar jack has also been are not half as bad as one might evolved for use on commercial be led to believe, and I am sure vehicles. This system is, how the country will soon open up for 'ever, worked off the engine, with-commercial traffic as other coun out requiring the manipulation of a lever, and enables the heaviest of vehicles, together with its load. to be lifted in a few seconds. Such a jack, it is claimed, would be a great benefit in the case of six-wheeled vehicles, and for jacking those with solid tyres out of soft ground.

The patent rights of the "Jackall" throughout the British Empire, excluding Canada, have been acquired by Fourwheel Jacks, Ltd.

ROAD FUND

HOME MOTORISTS PAY £19,665,580

The Road Fund, which on March 31, 1926, had a balance of £19,612,122, was only £1,417,124 to the good on March 31 last.

This reduction, as is pointed out by the Comptroller and Audi- tor-General in his report on the accounts of the fund issued re- cently, was due to the transfers to the Exchequer of £7,000,000 under the Finance Act of 1926 and £12,000,000 under the 1927 Finance Act.

tries have done.

Sir William, in reply to a ques- tion as to whether he thought the British manufacturers would be likely to secure the bulk of the motor-car trade in South Africa, said, "I would not say that, but there is no reason at all why the British manufacturer should not get a big volume of that business. The British manufacturer is get- ting into his stride so far as the export business is concerned. In the past he has been very much handicapped."

INCREASED PROFITS

GUY'S FORTUNES ON UP GRADE

The fortunes of Guy Motors continue on the up grade.

This time the net profil is £60,263, against £50,831 for the preceding year, and £36,519 for the twelve months ended September 30, 1926. With the entry of the rail- ways into road transport the de mand for the products of this company and other commercial motor vehicle makers has brought about a welcome change, while, of The year began with a balance course, the requirements of muni of £12,952,223, but there was an cipalities and Government depart- excess of payments over receipts ments for heavy motors are of £11,585,098, which reduced the steadily growing. There may be balance to the total stated. Taxa-some disappointment that the tion on motor vehicles for the year yielded £19,665,580,

maintenance and improvement of During the year grants for

first and second class roads amounted to £8,586,382, and of unclassified roads in rural areas to £1,587,053, In addition, £4,256,225 was expended on the special programme in "unentploy- ment" areas.

dividend is no more than 15 per cent., which it should be noted this time the payment includes goes against 10 per cent., but

only six months' dividend on the new shares.

Inferior or unsuitable fuel is often the cause of difficult start-

From the commencement of the ing. Theoretically, a carburettor

present financial year the new needs adjustment every time a

capital will rank pari passu with change in fuel is made. If an

the old shares. The profits there- engine has behaved well on light

fore will need to increase propor- petrol, and the motorist changes

tionately to maintain the divi over to a heavier grade difficulties

dend. No transfer is made to re- must follow, especially in the win-

serve fund, which obtained ter. The initial cold weather start

£50,000 last time, but £63,490 is depends in a measure on the light

carried forward, as against boiling point fractions of the fuel,

£47,835 brought in. In the ac- and without these the starter and

counts credit is taken for certain battery are sure to be overtaxed.

vehicles against large contracts In summer the greater heat avail-

with the Indian Government. The able practically eliminates start- A payment of £200,000 is in- | works continue to be well employ- ing troubles, irrespective of the cluded in the revenue account ined, and the number of repeat. grade of fuel, but it is a sound and part settlement of the outstand-orders is an encouraging feature. economical policy to use a good ing claim of the Irish Free State (The local agents are the Republic light grade of fuel in the winter.against the Road Fund.

Motor Co. of China).

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At the end of the last financial year the commitments of the fund made with Treasury appro- val in anticipation of future re- venue amounted to $23,717,000. Included in these commitments is £11,005,000 on account of road works expedited for the relief of unemployment.

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33.Wong Nei Chung Road, Happy Valley

Telephone Central 1240 or 1247

13

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BUSES

VULCAN

BRITISH BUILT

HONG KONG DELIVERED PRICES

TRUCKS

Model

30-cwt-3 XC. Type Chassis 30-cwt. X.C. Type Chassis 50-cwt.-V.W.D. Type Chassis 60-cwt.-V.W.D.A. Type Chassis 60-cwt.-3 XL Type Chassis 30-cwt.-V.S.W. 6 Wheel Chassis. 60-cw£.-V.S.M. 6 Wheel Chassis 20-seater Duke Bus Chassis 20-seater Dukę Bus Complete 26-seater-Duchess Bus Chassis 32-seater-Prince. Bus Chassis 32-seater Prince Bus Complete 36-seater-Princess Bus Chassis 36-seater-Princess. Bus Complete ..

4 30.0 60 5,320

Tyres

F.O.B.

Packing

Front

-Rear

Factory

Price

Shipping Delivery

Hong Kong

17.9 36 2,950

32 x 6

· 17.9 36 2.950

34x,7

4

24.8 49 4,084

36 x 6

32x6 34x7 36x6. D.

142 3,584

£ 393

£425

142 3,700

393

450

144 *4,480

645:

683

17.9 36 2,950

36 x 6 D 150 5,376 20x4 DS : 114 ́ ́ 4,144 32x41⁄2Ð・・ 138 6,516 36 x 6 D 174 8.288 321.6 D 160 3,472 3216.D

710

850

515

560

-810 1,050

625

-848 1,095 33.658

160 6,496

625

350

1,110

32 x 6 D 181 5,151. *725 26x6 D 193 6,720 1.150 36 x 6 D 198 11.200

1,150 34x7 D $210. 6,970

1,200 34x7 D210° 12,320 1,200

776 -1,186

495

1,822

1,264

--550.

1,970:

36-x6 2015- § 3. 17.9 36 2,950 - 32 x 41⁄2 4 30.0 60 5,320 36x6 6*21.6 50 2,198 32x6 6 21.6 50 2,198 32x6 6--25,4 58 3,880 32 x 6 6 37.2 80 4,566 36 x6 6 37.2 80. 4,565 36x6

6 37.2 80 4,565 34 x 7

6 37.2 804,565 3437

Prices include Electric Starting and Lighting, Spare Wheel, Tyre and Tube, Speedometer, Mechanical

Tyre Pump, Tools, etc., etc., etc.

Further Information on Application to Distributors for China.

THE HONG KONG HOTEL GARAGE

25 Queen's Road Central

Tel. Central 4759.

Now Chrysler "75" Royal Saloon

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HRYSLER—with the new style that restyles all motor

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THE REPUBLIC MOTOR CO. OF CHINA:

30-32, Des Voeux Road C.

Telephone C. 1219 & C 6252.