The Latest American Importation.
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A Light Delivery Van Chassis constructed for Reo Motors, Limited.
A new chassis, now being marketed in this country for delivery-van purposes, is that imported by Reo Motors, Limited, of Broad Sanctuary, Westminster, S.W. This chassis, which is manufactured in America, is one that contains several points in which departures from English methods of construction are incorporated. It is built at Lansing, Michigan, and is fitted with the latest type of 16-2oh.p. Reo engine. The two cylinders are horizontal and opposed to each other; their bore is 4; inches, and the piston stroke 6 inches. All valves are mechanically cperated, and the valve springs are protected by sheet-tin covers. A skparate carburetter is fitted for each cylinder, and the air inlet is covered with a gauze and stocking. A throttle valve is placed between each carburetter and the cylinder it supplies; both are opened or closed simultaneously by two rods operated by the foot accelerator. The device for flooding each carburetter is arranged to be worked by an indiarubber bulb and tube to each float chamber : upon pressing the bulb, the float is blown down in the chamber, and flooding results. The lubricating-oil tank is integral with the upper part of the crank chamber. in it are placed two pumps, which distribute the oil direct to the piston rings of each cylinder; the pumps are driven by cams on the half-time shaft, which operate vertical rods and eccentrics for the pump pistons. The length of the stroke of these pistons can be varied by means of two screws having squared ends, which are easily accessible and protrude some distance above the lubricator cover. There is also splash lirbrit. ation. The cooling.
water for the cylinder jackets is kep: in circulation by a positive gear pump, and the long silencer runs down the centre of the frame, immediately below the engine.
The engine is suspended on two cross members of channel steel, which are bolted to an angle plate, the whole forming a rectangular sub-frame. The return-piece of this angle plate rests on the top side of the pressed steel frame, and
the plate is secured to b. l.v two bolts passing horizontally through each side of it. The weight of the engine is thus dish-touted over 2 teet 6 mcnes i cacti slue tne mam frame, and two-thirds of this latter on each side is packed with hard wood.
The epicyclic gearing is of the true planetary type, with external teeth, and only two forward ratios are provided, together with a reverse. These are controlled by a side fever, which, when given a rearward motion, engages, by means of a band tightening on a drum, the first speed; a forward mevement of the same lever brings the first speed, a direct drive, into operation. This latter speed is carried through a metal disc clutch, formed by one steel disc between two copper ones. They are bound together by the action of a cone on three pivoted dogs, and the resultant speed, when this is in operation, can be anything up to 25 miles an hour. The car, owing to its engine power, can practically run at all times on its top speed, and the clutch is worked by hand.
From the gearbox, the drive is by a long roller chain to the differential on the live back axle. This axle is of a new and stronger design than that used in the Roo car. The springs are full elliptical, and have also been built of a heavier type. Two band brakes work on drums on the back wheels, and are controlled by a side lever. Another brake, operated by a pedal, grips a drum between the flywheel and the gearbox. The steering column and control levers have been carried well to the front of the chassis, thus making a large space available for the carrying of goods.
The four control pedals, which can be plainly seen in our second illustration, are, reading from left to right : the halfcompression pedal, which has incorporated with it a toe to prevent the ignition lever from being advanced too far at the moment of starting the engine; the foot brake; the reverse pedal; and the accelerator pedal. The ignition lever ; s the only control fitting carried on the steering pillar.
Goodyear solid tires are fitted to the wheels in Goodyear detachable rims. In this method of detachment, two reversible flange rings are placed in grooves in the permaneni rim, which is fastened to the wood felloe. These are secured in place by an open steel locking ring, which is slipped into a second groove on one side. The radiator, of the rectangular gilled-tube type, with flat tubes, is made in sections, any one of which is easily detachable for replacement if damaged. The water tank, which is placed in the neat casing directly above the radiator, holds four gallens. High tension ignition is fitted, mid the accumulator is placed inside this box alongside the tank. The coil is fitted on the dash, immediately behind the accumulator.
The price of the chassis, with ordinary van body, and fully equipped with lamps, tools, etc., is listed at £3o, and it is designed to carry tradesmen's ordinary daily loads on average roads. The company is in a position to give immediate delivery of a large number of vans of this type within the next six months.