ITEMS OF INTEREST
ITEMS OF INTEREST FROM VARIOUS SOURCES
For Cable Brakes.
THE advance made in the past few years in the design of brakes has greatly simplified their adjustment. Nevertheless, it is often found that with the cable-operated type correct balancing-up on all four wheels is not too easy to achieve owing to unequal stretch having set in. A device has recently been brought out to overcome this difficulty. It comprises a simple form of clamp, which fits on to the cable, and by means of a thumbscrew, an appreci able amount of slack may be taken up by its exerting pressure on the cable. It is marketed by Weathershields, Ltd., of 48, Moor Street, Birmingham, the cost of a set of four being
7s. 6d.
Automatic Ignition Control. the introduction of the
the introduction of the engine operated windscreen wiper, the partialvacuum obtained in the induction pipe of a car engine has been utilised for a number of purposes. The latest device which uses engine suction as an operating medium is the Advance Robot—a simple fitting for working the advance and retard of the magneto automatically. In main essentials it consists of a small cylinder (connected to the inlet pipe by a tube), in which a plunger slides. The latter is coupled to the arm of the make-and-break ring by a rod, and as the plunger moves inwards or outwards according to the degree of suction derived, so is the ignition varied. The unit has been designed by Mr. D. Dunnett, A .M.I.Mech.,E., chief engineer to the London and Lancashire Insurance Co., Ltd., of 5-7, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.2.
An Ignition Cut-Out.
ANOTHER auxiliary for fitting to the ignition system is the Ignauto cutout for coil-and-battery circuits. This is also operated by
engine suction so that as soon as the motor stops the current is switched off. It is obviously a useful and valuable device, for as many owners of cars with coil ignition have discovered, omitting to switch off, after the engine has stopped running frequently results in a burntout coil, a dead battery and other complications. The Ignauto is marketed at 21s. by J. W. Pickavant & Co., Ltd., Quikko Works, Granville Road, Birmingham.
Revs. and M.P.H.
THE A.T. Speedometer Co., of Chronos Works, North Circular Road, N.W. 2, are now listing an instrument
which should appeal to sports car owners. This is a speedometer with a dial graduated in both M.P.H. and R.P.M. The driver is thus enabled to see at a glance what his engine speed is over his entire road speed range. .
It is made in. various models to fit a number of standard sports cars, including Bugatti, Aston-Martin, Salmson and Austin 7. Prices are ‘from £6.
Austin 7 Gear-Shift.
Somn months ago MoxoR SPORT carried out a road test of the wellknown B.-C. Austin Seven sports model, and one of the modifications on
this vehicle which Messrs. Boyd-Carpenter Ltd., had made—and which impressed us as being a marked improvement—was in the gear change mechanism. The alteration was effected by mounting the gear lever aft of the box, on an additional cross stay, and coupling it to the original selector mechanism by a horizontal rod with yoke ends. The new lever was mounted on a ball joint, and had the usual reverse stop and trigger, and all movement both laterally and longitudinally was conveyed easily via the horizontal rod, enabling the driver to effect snappy changes with the lever in a most convenient position. This device has now been patented and
is to be marketed as an auxiliary for Austin Sevens. The manufacturers’ address is :-47, West End Lane, Kilburn, N.W.6.
A Lubrication Booklet. E have recently received from
E C. C. Wakefield & Co., Ltd., a new booklet on motor car lubrication. Written by Mr. H. Thornton Rutter, this little publication goes systematically into the whole subject in a way which is at once interesting and informative to both the non-technically minded and the man who is already au fait with the internals of a car. Every
ment by oil is dealt with, and, as a sign of the times, an. appreciable amount of space is devoted to superchargers. It is well illustrated throughout with excellent line drawings. part of the automobile, which in any way is subject to treat
A Plug Adaptor. have
PARTIC.ULARS have just come to hand of a plug adapter, designed to overcome those oiling-up troubles which are sometimes met with on certain types of engines. The adapter comprises a hexagonal sleeve, with a standard plug thread screwed internally and externally. This is screwed on to the plug ; thus, when the latter is fitted in the cylinder the points do not project, and are protected from the oil which may have worked up past the rings. The manufactureis (Fewlex, Ltd., of 7, Tavistock Place, Russell Square, London, W.C.1.) claim that their fitting not only overcomes oiling-up, but gives better combustion, and generally improves the running of a power unit at low speeds.
A New Benjamin Horn. the newer ad
newer ditions to the wellknown Benjamin range
of motor accessories is a new ” trumpetless “-type horn. A feature of this new accessory is that it is sprung on buffers so that a very clear, note is obtained. It is intended for mounting to the headlamp cross-stay, and weighs only 33 ozs. It is obtainable at prices ranging from 25s. to 42s. The Benjamin Electric Ltd., address is :—Brantwood Works, Tariff Road, Tottenham, N.17.
English Bosch Works.
IT is stated that plans have now been completed for the manufacture of Bosch products in this country. A site has been acquired at Neasden, Middlesex, where a factory and offices will be built. Some 1,000 workpeople will be employed.