1933-01-17 — Page 2

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Handling Stubborn Engines. on Cold Mornings

"DON'T OVERDO STRANGLING

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1933.

SPARKS

FROM THE PLUGS

Starting the engine is one of bars, direction indicators, fog life's problems these cold morĮ lamps, extra head lamps, and so ing, writes

Owner-Driver" in on, it is a work of art to wriggle The Bulletin.

between the various excrescences and to turn what is known as the start

Despite specially designed caring handle, but which is more a buretters, and all the various de vices for tempting the power unit piece of bent iron than the finest to break into a lively roar instead product of a craftsman, of acting like a

stubborn mule,

many smn wishes he could solve his difficulties by speaking nicely to what he ultimately describes as the darned thing," and persuad-

tarily short circuited, and that

a few seconds' test will 'an-; Even able it to recover,

Strangling the Horses,

And now for our old friend the strangler. It is well-named. Most engines are strangled to death dur- ing the colder months of the year. I have seen dozens and dozens of cases of difficut starting which were almost entirely due to excessive use of the strangler.

Think, of what that device does, and you will be convinced of the need for using it carefully.

HILLMAN PRO- GRAMME FOR 1933

THE NEW WIZARD, AND THE MINX

MOTORING HINTS

DRIVING ON *** GREASE **

"like

VALVES

HUMBER MODELS FAVOUR

some are almost as safe as when THE BATTLE OF THE they are dry, but others are ice." comparatively. That is why we sometimes see several campiled

! * On Д short stretch" af "ronli during or after a shower of rain A touch on the brake pedal at When road surface consisted of speed or a quick movement of the granite, flint, or stone untreated steering wheel and their drivers The Hillman programine for 1033 with tar or bitumen it was far havo found themselves against or is to centrate upon the six-cylin-easier to identify a "greasy" road beyond the side of the rond. der New Wizard and the four-cylin-1 than it is to-day; the presence of j

When a skid-a side-slip-con- der Minx, both of which are al mud was a sure sign of its treaclemences it can be checked or kept rendy well-known and popular, rous character. But nowadays within bounds, if the speed is not mud of a comparative rarity, and too high, and the road not too con a large proportion of modern rond gested, by the driver steering to al-surfaces are no les-metimes more-slippery and dangerous when they are thoroughly wet, “ruming with water

THE NEW WIZARD

ing it that it is for its own good into the hands of the accumulator | power unit will simply be choked. less than 60 b.h.p., while the swerve, or a corrier taken too fast. straightened-up-i.e., brought back sweeping the gas into the cylinders

to start up. willingly,

A metal plate is drawn tight over the air intake of the carburet ter, with the result that a very strong mixture is drawn into the Again, these wonderful contrap-cylinders. It is agreed that such tions have a pasty habit of aying mixture may be necessary in most out at the sudden pull up or cases, but it is definitely not agreed sticking tight when the engine that flooding the cylinders with fires. All of which may account raw, wet petrol will help the en- for the extra business now falling gine to fire. On the contrary, the makers. But to the original sub- Apart from these vital considera- tions, excessive strangling results i lubricating oil being washed off the cylinder walis, and in the ail in the engine sump being diluted. Time and again I have found it necessary to remove the sparking plugs and allow the wet vapour in excessively strangled engines to evaporate before getting the engine to Are.

Frankly, there is no more heart }`ject- breaking task than starting up al stubborn engine, and any hint which result in saving one's 'back and arm museles is always wel

como.

Many Reason Why. There are many reasons why an internal combustion engine is diff- cult to get going, en cold mornings. The lubricating dil tends to solidi-

Saving the Battery,

The modern battery is rather good so long as it Insts, but the trouble is that it does not last long enough. Most batteries on British ears are far too small for the work they have to do, and that fact be comes more evident as the tempera- ture goes down.

can follow one another without pause.

Humber Innovation.

SIDE VALVES

Controversy na to whether side by-side or overhead valves are bet tor for the touring type of motor- car has long existed, but the trend of design exemplified by 1933 inndels seems to indicate that side valves are gaining ground. Thus, A fenture of the Wizard, has

words that side of the road to me adherent is one of the prin ways been that alternative engine

wards which the rear wheels are cipal British mamafactures--Hum sizes are available at the same

slipping. This is termed storher Limited--who have abandoned ing into a skid to get out of it. their former practice of placing Price, and in the Now Wizard

The inexperienced river is incline the inlet valve over the exhaust and this excellent point is continued, of 15. 7. h... while the 75 Thus, the "85 nodel has a rating

The foregoing is a fact that the ed to steer "away" from a skid: the side valve system is now stan more or less inexperienced driver it is only natural for him to dardised throughout the range. model is of 29.0 h.p. The actual sometimes either fails to realise or 57. Ent that merely accentuates the This Company has perfected a however, benra little relation to the power obtained from the engines, forgets, until, too late, until 2 skid, and the car may turn.com combination of features, termed

"hair-raising " skid follows the plotely round,

**Cyclonic Induction," which has use of the brakes, & steering" rating, for the "85" develops no

Not until the car has been been designed with the object of Pulls asb.h.p. at 3,000 r.p.m. The Beware, then, of amooth roads to its original line of progress with whirlwind velocity. So suc- and performance of both. New that have become just by a shower should an attempt be made to stee:cessful is this that the power out- Wizard models, therefore, is ex-

or occurred; use the brakes gently road, though if a skid is corrected cess even of that obtained from the traordinarily high, and the 65 of rain baving recently commend it back to its proper side of the put of the latest engines. is in t model will exceed 65 mp.b., and and drive and corner" slowly by steering into it immediately former design, which was well,

commences the two C++BSIVE the "75" has a speed of over 70 looking well ahead in order is m.p.h. Largely this remarkable avoid any emergener the movements of the steering wheel known for its efficiency. result has been achieved by close mand forsible braking. attention to the design of cylinder

It is also interesting to note that head, parts and induction system; Roads with severe camber are If a kid has been started by use an entirely new type of shock ab the combination of these points now comparatively rare in the of the brakes the latter should be sorber is being fitted to Humber- fy at low temperatures, and this i It is therefore of importance to

having been given the comprehen- neighbourhood of towns, but else released at once, though if a colliears. This overcomes a hitherto results in the hundreds of superfi-save the battery as much as pos-

sivg name of Cyclonic Induction. where they are still to be seen. sion is impending they can be ap- insuperable difficulty, namely, that Another nutstanding feature of They should be held suspect when plied again immediately, though shock absorbing properties varied cial inches of metal being sort of sible, and the best Tay to do that

the New Wizard is the fact that wet, for they encourage skidding gently. Holding the brakes on or according to the viscosity of the glued together.

to leasen the load it is asked to move when the button is depressed

Cushioned Power" has been when the car is elsewhere than on, re-applying them forcibly will make foil with which the casing was filled. Obviously the warmer the garage first thing in the morning. A big

built into it with the result that the crown of the road. ...

the skid worse and will not stop The oil became more fluid with the- the less the tendency for the oil to six-cylinder engine full of gummer! allow the. ylinder Block to heet smoothness and silence, practically Fill up with boiling water, and that car runs with an uncanny

the car.

warming up of the, shock absorber The roads frequented by 'bus ser The foregoing" applies to drive which then functioned too freely. gun and the easier the work in the oil is quite enough for it to turn slightly. Then turn over the en,overy trace of engine vibration oes should be treated with re-ing and correcting a skid on snow, The new pattern is fitted with morning, Few garages are, how but when the additional load of ever, heated, and the next beat really thick oil in the gearbox gine several times by hand with the and nois being damped out before Spect of and pear recognised stop and is as well as on wet roads, thermostatic device by which the strangler closed. Now get into the it can reach the chassis. The chas Ping-places. Oil drippings often though, as mentioned in a recent temperature itself regulates the winter grade of change over to add it usually sighs, and gives driving seat, push out the futch sig frame has been made exceeding make the road thereabouts unusual hint of this series, on snow-covered size of the aperture through which switch on the ignition, and, while y stiff by means of cross-bracing skiddy when either merely damn and ice-bound roads there is no the oil has to pass. Thus, when the certain means or method of pre- shock absorber is cold and the oil healing the throttle with the foot. and seven cross-members, which, in of thoroughly wet.

der the New Wizard an exceeding conjunction with the long "springs.

venting wheel spin and side-sliu is thick the aperture is large, bat, and hydraulic shock absorbers, re-

other than the use of non-skid as warming-up takes place and the chains. Driving slowly and using oil thing, it has to pass through ya comfortable ear to drive or rid

vent skidding on snow and lee; discovery has proved of great bene the brakes gently will help to pre-smaller passage. This important.

Seven-Seater Wizard, which has "A new departure is the listing of

but neither can be considered an fit to the suspension and is es a wheel-base, of 17.3" and mounts

great deal infallible preventive of loss of con- pecially appreciated by the pas

sengere in the rear seats. commodious bodywork with folding. occasional scats. On this chas- sis three types of coachwork are standardised, namely Saloon, Limousine and Landaulette, and these new models, at their moderate prices, undoubtedly fill a gap which has hitherto existed in the market,

Even then it is desirable to.

swing the engine several times by hand in order to break down the oil film before resorting to the use of the electric starter.

I am not confident that many drivers will take that advice. On the modern car, with its bumper

up the job.

Moral-Keep out the clutch, either by foot or by 4 piece of wood jammed between the pedal and the driving scat.

Try this Method.

+

good starter, but that does not pre The engine of my own car is a vent the approaching it with res pect theso inornings. This is the procedure I adopt.

Immediately the engine fires, depress the starter button.

commence opening the strangler Above all do not grind away at very slowly. But also keep out the starter for minutes on end. the clutch until it is apparent that Remember that when the button is the engine is gathering life. If it depressed the battery is momen (Continued at fast of hert Uolumn)

i

TRUST A THORNYCROFT WITH YOUR TRANSPORT

THORNYCROFT

DIESEL ENGINES

for

VEHICLE AND LIGHT MARINE WORK ARE NOW AVAILABLE

Marine Engines-Models from 9 B.H.P. upwards. Vehicle Engines-Models of 36.1 H.P.4 cylinders. (R.A.C. Ratings)

54.2 H.P.—6 cylinders.

For Prices and Further Particulars

Please Apply to:

John I. Thornycroft & Co., Limited

SOUTH CHINA OFFICE

Pioneer Building, Nathan Road, Kowloon

Pelephoné

UST ATHORBYCIOFT With Your TRANSPORT

in.

THE MINX

The Minx has now been before the public for twelve months, and so great has been the demand for it that at or time pipes it was put. into production has the factory been able to produce cars in sufficient number to cope with, or- ders.

The success of the Minx is due to the excellance of its perform- ance and its roomy comfort. The engine has a rating of 9.3. h.p. but actually developa practically '30 b.Ep. "Cushioned Power" has, of course, always been a feature of the Minx, and accunts largely for the remarkably smooth running of the car.

An entirely new chassis in the Minx range in the Aero model; which is of sporting type and very low in build. The chassis frame is dropped as also is the front axle, while at the roar the chassis passes under the axle. Thus the propeller. khoff stands above the fcoring and infected in a tunnel, while the gears are actuated through a re- mote control and short lover. The enging is suitably modified for speed, but the "Cushioned Power feature is retained, with the result that the Aero Minx combines the sweet running of a touring cér with the pep of a sporta model.

does not fire quickly, switch off the ignition, and wait about half a minute. Med try the starter again.

I despair of drivers who, despite all the advice offered, think ther the wilder the throttle le operes the better will the engine start. Such a notion porgiste despite its obvious stupidity. A wide open trotble resulta in a very weak mix- ture, which is exactly what is not

Winter Clothan,

It is lust sa Important to main tain a good temperature during running, in cold weather, as it ja to keep the engine warm while waiting anywhere.

A heavy rug thrown over the raditor #ill assist in maintaining the temperature when the car. li standing, but a radiator muff is necessary of«cuts which are over. Loboled

The modern internal combustion engine runs best when the water in the cooling system on almost boiling point, and by blanketi off part of the radiator the cooling draught impinges-on

area,***

-smaller

Variations on Road Surface,

type of road surface is seen shea

When an obvious change in the

Modern roads vary. 4 it should be approached with car in their slipperiness when wet:trol.

MORRIS in 1933

The

MORRIS TEN

is now available for demonstration.

It is the most ECONOMICAL— a local independent test showed 36 MILES PER GALLON.

It is the SAFEST-watch for the Flashing Signals.

It is the ROOMIEST TEN in the COLONY—study the dimensions,

Capacity:

1292 c.C.

Track:

48

Wheelbase: 96" Hydraulie Brakes

Overall width:

62

Overall length: 147"

SERVICE

Sunshine

MORRIS

SALES

Roof

Four-speed Gear-box

ASK FOR A DEMONSTRATION

Dodwell & Co., Ltd.