MAKING BEST USE OF THE FORD.
Page 13
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Valuable Advice on Every Phase of Ford Transport, Which Will Appeal to the Owner, Driver and Repairer.
IN THIS series of hints concerning the Ford light chassis and ton truck wherever they are employed for commercial purposes, we endeavour to deal with the subject from every view-point, so that the advice given will appeal to the owner, driver, maintena,nee engineer or mechanic.
We shall welcome for inclusion among the hints those which have proved of value to individual users, and will make suitable remuneration for any such information which we publish. Readers are recommended to obtain the original "Book of the Ford," which constitutes a complete manual dealing with the Ford car, the van and, the truck, 2s. 9d. post free from the offices of this journal. ...
224.—Radiator Repairs.
The amateur repairer of radiators does not always meet with unqualified success. This is usually 'due• to the fact that no facilities exist in the ordinary manner for testing the block before returning it to the chassis. Especially is this the case with an old unit, for if it be possible to apply pressure inside the radiator, not only are the existing defects made apparent, but weak places are burst through, and, as the whole of the defects are then laid bare, a complete overhaul may take place and, providing that the repair be done efficiently, no ,further trouble should be encountered.
The golden rule to remember, if good soldering is to be effected, is the great importance of cleanliness. We do not propose to go into the whole question of how this soldering may be done, as this would run to far too great a length, but we may refer to the manner in which pressure tests may be carried out. It is not sufficient merely to fill the block with cold water and watch the leaks, since many small holes may remain undetected, and, moreover, the residue from the soldering flux which has been employed may also assist temporarily in closing small orifices. Makers of service equipment supply equipment consisting of rubber plugs to close the inlet, outlet and filler-cap apertures, and for those who have any doubts as to their ability it would be advisable for them to purchase these direct, but, actually, quite a successful set maybe made from pieces of plate
not less than in. thick, drilled to the given dimensions, and with a piece of old inner tube of the same size, except as regards the thickness, to act as a gasket for each plate. One of the plates should also
be provided with a cycle valve, which should preferably be soldered into a hole in the outlet plate, this hole we have not ehown, as its position is a matter of choice.
To test the radiator, first pinch together the bottom end of the overflow pipe and seal it with solder. Make certain that the radiator cap washer is in good order and screwthe cap down tightly. Fix the plates in position, and, if a tank of sufficient size be available, immerse the block in it, previously filling the block with air under pressure by means of a cycle pump. Tell-tale streams and bubbles will soon denote any holes.
If a large tank be not available, the tadiator may be filled three parts with water, and on pressure being applied tiny jets will quickly give the desired knowledge. It is most important to unseal the overflow pipe after the test, otherwise a burst radiator through imprisoned steam will probably result.
225.—Preventing Loss of the Fan-pulley Pin.
The pin which is employed to hold the fan pulley in position and also to drive it, occasionally woike loose and drops out, and, as the Ford quickly boils if the fan be not working, it is essential that a new pin be fitted immediately. To fit a new pin requires the removal of the radiator, and in order to prevent a recurrence of the trouble i
when the radiator s off take the opportunity of bending the pin slightly at each side, by which it is prevented from falling out.
226.—Replacing the Cylinder Heads after Decar bonizing.
Decarbonizing is a task which. although somewhat disagreeable, must be performed fairly often if the engine is to be kept in good running order. If care be not taken in reassembling the head, one or more of the bolts may be left untightened .' this applies especially to the two at the centre. As a result, when the radiator is filled with water, this penetrates into the cylinders through the holes in which the slack bolts are inserted, and will prevent the engine from running, and may even necessitate the removal of the entire head to draw out the water.
227.—A Regrinding Tool.
Several tools specially designed for regrinding Ford valves are on the market, but as these cost several shillings they are not always employed, in which case quite an efficient one can be made from an old " bolt. The bolt head should first be heated andflattened out to a thinness of about in. It must then be filed to the shape shown in the sketch, care being taken to obtain the correct distance between the prongs, to correspond with the recesses in the valve.