ACCESSORIES .& FITTINGS ( for Light Vans.
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Accessories for Goodyear Detachable Wheels.
We illustrate on this page three useful fittings, which should be in the hands of users of vans fitted with Goodyear detachable steel wheels. These are a grease pump, a dummy inner hub for use in the hub of the wheel, which serves to exclude dirt, and a withdrawing tool for the inner hub.
Mounting and Driving C.A.V.
Lighting Sets. • In connection with the C.A.V. lighting set for commercial vehi • cles, which we described in our issue of the 12th October, alternative forms of drive for Use on existing engines are interesting. The upper illustration shows the arrangement adopted on London
bus chassis. A friction wheel is brought into contact with the engine flywheel, and the drive from this wheel to the dynamo is by means of a doubly-universal-jointed shaft. This is a very satisfactory arrangement, but more expensive as compared with the alternative method, which forms the subject of the lower illustration. This is the arrangement most usually suggested. It has the advantage that. the dynamo is placed under the bonnet where it is more likely to be kept free from dirt and grit. In this particular illustration, the dynamo is driven from the engine or Camshaft by means of a V belt. There is no type of van chassis which C. A. Vandervell and Co., Ltd., of Acton, London, W., cannot undertake to equip with this set.
" Anti-Rattk " Ball Sockets.
Ball and socket joints are ideal in cases where they are applied to the ends of thrust and tie-rods which are subject to motion in both a vertical and horizontal plane. They are, unfortunately, subject to wear, and they develop shake and rattle rather quickly, giving rise to vibratory effects on the chassis mechanism, as well as noise. This type of joint is popular on the Ford chassis, and it is used for the rear ends of the radius rods from the front axle, and also on the steering arms.
IS, Smith and Sons (M.A.). Ltd., 179-185, areat Portland Street, London, W., markets sockets for these joints, which are designed to obviate the disabilities named. Instead of the socket being carried by a solid bracket, it is backed by
554 a spring which within limits automatically adjusts the socket to take up wear. When these limits are exceeded, adjustment is possible in one or two alternative methods according to thy choice of the user. The spring may be either pressed by means of a screw, which is lecked in place by a split pin, or packing washers of varying thicknesses may be placed below the screw, and these have the same effect as the screw adjustment.
Ford Van Final Drive Gears.
Owing to the remarkable pitch of standardization which has been effected in connection with the Ford, there is practically no part of it which cannot be duplicated and made in quantities if it is exSome useful accessories in conpected that a suitable market will nection with Goodyear wheels. be found for it. This feature has helped to a great extent to facilitate the manufacture and sale of spare parts for Fords elsewhere
than at the Ford factory. It is perhaps an advantage to touring car owners at the present time when the importation of spare parts for touring-car use is forbidden. Most of the accessory dealers nowadays besides stocking Special accessories for Fords also keep and supply all actual spare parts for the repair of the chassis.
A speciality of Rejax, Ltd., however, is final-drive bevels. It should be pointed out that the How the C.A.V. dynamo is driven standard Ford gear ratio is 1 to on London buses. 3.65. The eompany can supply from stock pairs of bevels to convert this ratio to any of the following: 1 to 2i, 1 to 24, 1 to 3, and 1 to 4. Of these the last one only is of interest to commercial users, and those Ford owners in hilly districts, who perhaps are not able to keep the Ford engine up to a high pitch of efficiency, and who have in consequence found, especially on wet days, that they have to do an unusual amount of low-gear work, will find it a great advantage to have what is called the commercial gear set fitted.
Another fitting for which there is a fair demand, especially with a number of American cars on the road, the users and owners of which frequently find it convenient to fit standard English plugs, is the Sparking plug bush or adapter. 'IIssee This is a little device screwed on the outside the same size as American sparking plugs, and on the inside for the standard metric thread An alternative to general the above, for use.
A Pneumatic Security Bolt for Pneumatic Tires.
Whenever tire changes are necessary, there is always the risk when replacing covers and tubes of nipping the latter either under the beads of the cover or under the security bolts. The Sell-Sealing Rubber Co., Ltd., of Hermetic Works, Ryland Street, Birmingham, markets a bpecial and patented form of security bolt which greatly minimizes this risk.
As our illustration shows, these bolts are similar in part to the ordinary type of security bolt. The usual metal head, however, is covered as to its under seat by canvas, and this canvas is sealed by a piece of rubber, the two forming a pneumatic cushion which serves to hold the tube well out of the way of both bolt and outer cover when fitting. We have ourselves fitted a set of these and found them to perform that function very satisfactorily.
A Combined Petrol Economizer, Primer, and Safety Lock for Ford Vans.
Economy is the order of the day. If it applies to any commodity at all, then it applies to motor spirit, and we are, therefore, justified in giving the fullest publication to any accessory or fitting which is an aid to that end.
The National Mix-O-Lock, for which the agent in this country is Rejax, Ltd., of 3748, Broad Street, Golden Square, London, W., is designed specially for use with Fords. It consists of a vertical cylinder, the top of which is a valve, operated by a spring, the tension of Which is adjustable by means of nuts at the bottom end of the cylinder. Above the valve is a union which takes a length of copper pipe about 5-16 in. diameter. The copper pipe runs along the top of the engine exhanst pipe, and is open at. its other end. The cylindrical portion of the device is attached to a flange which is of the right size to be conveniently inserted between the carburetter and induction pipe. There is a passage from the cylinder previously mentioned into the central bole in the flange. It will be seen, therefore, that this device allows of a small quantity of hot air being taken from the region of the exhaust pipe and passed in with the petrol. The propo,rtion of hot air induced is adjustable by altering the tension of the spring. Reference to the illustration. will make our description clear to the reader. He will also note a part marked "primer and lock." This is an additional plug which, after removal, allows of petrol being injected for starting purposes. If let out altogether, it admits so much air that it is impossible to start the engine, thus serving as a safety device for preventing theft.
" Pull.u.Ottt."
Vans now are expected to go anywhere for purposes of delivery. Users who have frequently to run out into country districts and to farms, sometimes having to traverse ground which is soft and muddy,will find the Orno Pull-uOut a useful geeessory, in case the van gets bogged.
This device consists of a couple of chains, three stakes, and a block and pulley arrangement whereby the driver can obtain a purchase when endeavouring to haul a. car out of a difficult place. In use, one of the chains is attached to a suitable part of the chassis, and the three stakes are driven into firm ground at such a, distance away that the block and tackle in between and the second chain can be attached to the stakes. Owing to the leverage provided it will then be possible for even a lady driver to pull the van out of the most awkward imaginable places. The device weighs 28 lb. and takes up, a comparatively small space ; it can be put in the tool box. It is sold by G. T. Riches and Co., Ltd., of 19, Store Street. Tottenham Court Road, London, W.C. Those of our readers who peruse our "Drivers, Mechanics, and Foremen's" page will recollect that a modification of this device, known as the Spanish windlass was there described in our issue dated the 2nd ult.