The Outlook for the Oil Engine in America.
Page 44
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The Editor, THE COMMEROLAL MOTOR.
[3957] Sir,—Early last month I passed through the United States and had the good fortune to have interviews with SOMP leading high-speed oil-engine designers in New York City.
One engineer was of the opinion that motor-vehicle power units will not be turned out commercially until a method of classifying fuel oils is perfected, and he thought that Boerlage had gone a long way towards this. He said that a large-fleet owner could operate oil-engined lorries successfully, but a small operator who does not purchase large quantities of fuel, and so would have to pull up at street p-unms, was in for trouble on account of the many different grades that at present cannot be clearly defined.
By contrast there was petrol, which can be had in three distinct grades, all of known quality and consistent throughout the country ; the same conditions are wanted for oil engines and this factor alone is holding up production.
There was no lack of interest in America, he said, and a number of firms had good engines developed but are afraid to put them out for the above reason ; Chrysler is an example.
Another authority said that the bus and lorry oil engine would come just as soon as there was considered to he a large enough market ; to make a few hundred would be useless, as the cost of tool and factory set-ups would not be repaid, i.e., there must be thousands or none. When this does occur the American engines will outsell the European makes.
He said that there are many American engines equally as good as those in this country that are only waiting until the demand presents itself ; in his opinion, the fuel question was not a serious one and would be overcome so soon as the engines appear.
Both of these men fully appreciated the progress made in England, but were quite sure that their country could produce engines equally as good—if not better—when the occasion warrants it.
Whether these claims are justified or not I cannot say, but judging by the performances of some existing engines of which I have knowledge the point is ex
tremely doubtful. P.B.B. Patricroft, Manchester.