4
THE SUNDAY OREGONIAN, PORTLAND, DECEMBER 28, 1919.
VACUUM
FUEL FEED
IS BEST FOR AUTO
All Things Considered, It Has
Most Advantages.
GRAVITY SYSTEM POPULAR
But Old Gravity Feed Method May
T.eavo Engine Without Gas
In Climbing Hills.
When the automobile show opens
its doors a few weeks hence, we are
likely to find the subject of fuel
feed as nearly standardized as pos
sible in such a mixed fabric as the
modern gasoline automobile. No
other auxiliary system on the car has
gained such nearly universal favor
as the so-called vacuum fuel feed.
The rise of this method of feeding
fuel to the gasoline engine has been
rapid. Five years ago there was no
such thing as a vacuum fuel feed,
at least in ordinary use. At that
time there were three commonly used
methods of feeding the fuel. The
most generally used of these was the
ordinary gravity feed, which is still
popular. The second type was a pres
sure system and the third was a com
bination of pressure and gravity.
The gravity feed system, which is
still popular, in spite of the rising
tide of vacuum systems, has a num
ber of very real advantages, first of
which is its obvious simplicity. In
the gravity system the tank that
holds the fuel is usually placed under
the front seat or in the cowl, and the
pipes carrying the fuel to the carbu
retor lead directly down from the
tank. The principle governing the
flow of fuel is simple gravity, the
ultimate in simplicity, so to say.
Some Disadvantages, Too.
Against the gravity system must
be recorded certain definite disad
vantages. When the tank Is under
the front seat, it is necessary to rout
out all or rather both the occupants,
each time the receptacle is filled.
When the tank is in the cowl, there
is always a certain amount of noise,
when the liquid does not completely
fill the tank.
From the standpoint of the engi
neer the gravity system has the dis
advantage that it is necessary to
make the lines of the car such that
there will be enough of a drop be
tween fuel tank and carburetor to
insure continual flow. The car which
depends on gravity to feed Its fuel
is very likely to get in such a po
sition, on a steep hill, for instance,
that fuel will not flow and the en
gine is stalled. In brief, gravity feed
is not positive under all conditiors.
On the other hand the action of the
pressure fuel feed system is posi
tive. In this type of system the fuel
tank is located in the rear of the
car and the fuel is forced forward
to the carburetor by pressure of air
or exhaust gases.
Under the commonly used design
the fuel is forced to the carburetor
under pressure of air, pumped into
the tank by means of a mechanically
operated pump. A relief cock is lo
cated in the line to control the
amount of air forced into the fuel
tank. This system requires a hand
punlp to provide air pressure for
starting and until the mechanically
operated pump can come into action.
Bat a Leak Raises Cain.
As noted, pressure feed is positive
as long as the system is function
ing properly. But if a leak develops
in the line, the pressure drops below
the necessary point and the car
owner is in for trouble. In some
systems a relief valve is provided
so that extra air can be pumped in
cases of leakage, to r.iake up for
the amount lost. In general, how
ever, the only cure for leakage in
the system is to find the leak and
stop it. This likelihood of disarrange
ment is the chief disadvantage of the
pressure feed system, not forgetting
that it costs considerably more than
the relatively simpler gravity feed.
The third system, which -mploys
pressure to lift fuel to an auxiliary
tank, whence it flows by gravity to
the carburetor, obviously embodies
the merits and defects of both the
systems that contribute to it.
It was because of the manifest
failings of the older methods of feed
ing fuel that the vacuum system was
placed upon the market. There are
several different makes of vacuum
feeds, but the basic principle is the
same in all of them, the differences
arising in its application.
For the purpose of this article we
shall describe Just one system, the
Stewart, which is the one in general
use. This system embodies a tank
divided into two compartments, con
nected by a flap valve. The vacuum,
which occurs in the inlet manifold,
extends to the upper of these com
partments. By reason of this vac
uum the atmospheric pressure on the
fuel in the main tank lifts the fuel
to the upper chamber.
Positive Feed Provided.
A rising float controlling a valve
automatically closes the manifold
connection and by opening another
valve introduces atmospheric pres
sure, which causes the fuel to flow
into the lower compartment, whence
it passes to the carburetor in the
ordinary way.
Another vacuum feed system em
ploys both compression and suction
to lift the fuel to the auxiliary tank.
This system embodies a diaphragm
pump attached to a tank. The suc
tion stroke of the piston pulls the
diaphragm to the right, creating a
suction in the tank chamber and
drawing the fuel from the main tank
into the vacuum tank. On the com
pression stroke, which follows, the
fuel is forced to the carburetor.
The great advantage of the vac
uum feed system is that it provides
positive feed, with relative simplicity
of design. There are few complica
tions in the system and few delicate
adjustments to be made. For this
reason troubles are comparatively
rare, though there are a few easily
detected failings that must be
watched for.
Most of the troubles encountered
in the use of the vacuum feed sys
tem relate to sticking valves. Leaks
sometimes develop at connections,
but in either of these cases the trou
ble is readily detected and remedied.
The car owner should be careful to
drain his vacuum tank at intervals.
as sediment collects at the bottom
and if too much of it is allowed to
gather the flow of oil may be clogged
or even stopped. Outside of these
few troubles the vacuum system is
not likely to give trouble.
THEFT LAW WORKS OUT BADLY
Massachusetts 3Iotorlsts Get Mixed
Up in Requirements.
Massachusetts has a law governing
the sale of used motor cars put on
the statute books after a few years of
fighting, on the part of police officials
of the state, and now it is all mud
dled up because some of these same
officials are not paying attention to
It or are not familiar with it after
two months of operation.
The law provides that all motor
car dealers shall take out licenses in
their cities and towns. Up to date,
nearly two months after it became a
law, there are many dealers through
the state who have not been licensed.
A few days ago one of the biggest
dealers in Boston apparently knew
nothing of the law or what he was
supposed to do under it. The law
provides that every dealer in class 1.
those whose business is the sale of
new cars principally, shall make a
report every week of the cars they
have taken in trade. This is to be
sent to the highway commission and
the local police officials. Many of
them have not done so, for they were
not told officially where to go and
how to go about getting licenses. The
class 2 dealers, those dealing princi
pally in used cars, are obliged to re
port every day. So are the junk
men, who make up class 3. But many
of them have not done so nor se
cured blanks or made reports.
"WINTHER. TO BUILT KEW CAR
Announcement Made That Six Will
Soon, Be on- Market,
KENOSHA. Wis., Dec. 27. A Win
trier six-psssenger car has been an
nounced by the Winther Motor com
pany. The Winther engineers have
been designing and developing this
new job for more than a year, accord
ing to M. P. Winther, president of the
company, who describes it as "a six
COLD WATER IS BEST
FOR CLEANING AUTO
Use of Soap Declared Harm
ful to Body Finish.
DRIED MUD CUTS VARNISH
Unless Dirt Is Removed from Car,
Body Will Quickly Become
Mottled and Streaked.
The engine of a car can be mis
treated frequently before it begins to
complain, but the finish can be mis
treated once or twice then there Is
no finish left to mistreat. The lack
of washing and the essential knowl-
to. specific gravity In the specifica
tions, the gravity test having some
time ago been abandoned.
It has also been decided to elimi
nate all reference to gravity from all
specifications for lubricating oil.
The revised specifications for mo
tor gasoline and the procedure and
details of manipulation in conducting
distillations are given in the report of
the committee on standardization of
petroleum specifications.
ZERO TEST OIL SAVES WEAR
Cylinders Always Lubricated by It
in Winter Weather.
""Using a zero cold test, oil made
from selected California crude oil, as
sures correct lubrication of the au
tomobile In cold weather right from
the first turn of the motor," says J. E.
Balsley, district sales manager of the
Standard Oil company.
. "That's why there is such a demand
in this cold weather for Zerolene
medium and Zerolene light. These
zero cold test oils do not thicken
excessively in any temperature above
zero and because they keep their
fluidity, or free-flowing body, they
keep the automobile engine flexible
in cold weather.
"Knmn motorists do not realize that
the oil In their engines may congeal
at low temperature at least tney ao
not realize it until serious damage
ASTORIA SURGEON, BACK FROM NAVY, DRIVES HUDSON SUPER-SIX.
. a.
- i. , ' t?r?ari iKwr '
FIXE RECORD MADE AS CHIEF OPERATING SURGEON AT UNITED STATES NAVY BASE HOSPITAL, AT
BEEMERTOX, WASH.
ASTORIA, Or., Dec. 27. (Special.) After two years in the navy, with the rank of senior lieutenant in the medi
cal department. Dr. Arthur Van Dusen has returned to his private practice at Astoria. Dr. Van Dusen was for many
monins prior to nis release rrom active service, cnier operating surgeon at tne United States navy base hos
pital at Bremerton, Wash., and many a gob has reason to be thankful for his si. 111. Dr. Van Dusen is an enthusiastic
nuason super-six owner.
of the very latest design, with an
unusually efficient power plant and
a body unique in its simplicity and
graceful lines."
No description of the new car has
been given to the trade, but It is un
derstood that the complete specifica
tions will be announced within- a short
time. Factory officials express the
hope that the job will be in quantity
production early in the spring. The
first deliveries are expected to be
made early in January.
The announcement that the Winther
company was to widen the scope of its
truck manufacturing activities by en
tering the passenger car field caused
no small sensation when made at a
convention of distributors at the factory.
ADJUST THE BRAKES NOW
JUST SUPPOSE YOU WERE IX
BAD AUTO ACCIDENT.
on each
make?
it?
gallon
Best Time to Prevent Such Things
Is Right Xow, When Trouble
Taken Is Slight.
Wouldn't it be odd If you had an
accident and you were sued, put on
the stand in your own defense and
the prosecuting attorney asked the
following questions:
1. What is the make of your car?
2. What horse power?
3. How many cylinders?
4. What kind of tires
wheel?
6. What speed can you
6. What wheel base Is
7. How much mileage to
of gasoline?
8. In what distance can you stop
your car without skidding?
9. What kind of brake lining do
you use?
In 99 cases out of 100 the autoist
can answer unhesitatingly the first
seven questions, but not one in 100
can answer the eighth or ninth ques
tion. Then the prosecuting attorney says
to the jury: "I rest my case. This
party knows everything regarding his
car which pertains to his comfort and
economy, but nothing does he know,
and apparently little does he care,
for the safety of the public. I ask
for a verdict on the ground of negli
gence." Now, Mr. Autoist, wouldn't
you be in a fix?
Have your brakes Inspected regu
larly. Ask if they are lined with one
of the standard brands of lining. Bet
ter still, some repair men furnish a
card showing date of adjustment and
name of lining. Ask for one to pro
tect yourself.
edge of not knowing how to wash a
car will go farther toward ruining
the appearance than any other thing.
The varnish of a new car is benefited
and hardened by washing with clear
cold water, but mud that is allowed
to dry upon the body takes the oil
from the varnish and leaves the fin
ish mottled and streaky. Dirt is not
the only enemy, for gases from the
garage and even the atmosphere of
some towns attack the finish of the
car that is not frequently washed.
Begin by cleaning the top. Take a
good stiff brush and remove the dust,
then either sponge it or use a soft
cloth with warm water and pure soap.
A chamois kept especially for the pur
pose will tend to hasten the drying,
and the top must not be folded until
it is thoroughly dry.
The upholstery, if of cloth, is best
cleaned by sponging with water con
taining a little salt and alcohol. If of
leather, a woolen cloth dipped in clear
water to which a few drops of am
monia has been added is best.
In cleaning the body be sure to re
move the nozzle of the hose and flow
the water over every part of the body.
This will serve to wash off most of
the dust and also loosen the mud. In
cases where the car Is very dirty it is
best to do this and then let it stand
for a few minutes before going over
again with the hose. Then take a
soft sponge and follow the hose over
the body. If certain portions are
grease-spotted these should be washed
separately with pure water and cas
tile soap but except in this one in
stance soap of any kind should be
avoided on the body.
The road oil and grease that collect
on the running gear require different
methods of removal and also other
tools. Special brushes will get at the
grease In inaccessible corners. In the
case of the wheel hubs care should
be used to prevent water and grit
working Into the bearings. The
chamois used on the body should
never be used on the running gear, a
separate chamois being kept for this
purpose. A heavy accumulation should
never be taken oTf by dusting. It
should be made to flow off with the
hose. If you wish to use a body pol
ish, beware of the many inferior
grades on the market. If any, you
should use the very best grade obtainable.
to the poorly lubricated engine brings
it forcibly to their attention. An en
gine started witn congealed oil runs
for some time without sufficient lu
brication until the thickened oil can
be heated -and its fluidity restored
After this process has been repeated
time after time during the cold
weatner months it is not necessary
to tell the damage that may be done
by that time. The motorist knows
what excessive friction can do.
Zerolene medium (Zerolene light
for Fords) Is a high quality lubri
cating oil having a zero cold test. It
will flow freely at all temperatures
above zero and prevent excessive
friction in cold weather by giving the
necessary correct lubrication to the
engine at all times."
HERE'S JAZZY LIGHT SIGNAL
California Inventor Works Out
Scheme of Cluster Lights.
IMPERIAL,, Cal., Dec. 27. Jose de
Barros, a Portuguese of this city, was
last week awarded a patent on an
automobile signal, which consists
a cluster of lights on both sides
tne car to indicate the direction the
car will turn, being particularly eult-
ame ror tne night. Each cluster con
Lams mree ngnts, one lor the man
coming toward the machine, one for
the man in the rear and one for the
man on the side. The lights on the
left, where the greatest danger I
are all red. while on the right the
front and back show green and only
With the Wonderful
New Springs You Skim
Over the Rough Spots
THE new three-point
suspension Triplex
Springs of Overland 4 make
it a totally different kind of
car.
It is wonderfully easy rid
ingbecause thesenew springs
ward off the bumps of the
road. Riding seems like
floating.
It is light in weight and
therefore economical of tires
and fuel. Economical also
in upkeep because the springs
protect car and mechanism
from the wearing shocks of
the road.
Overland 4 is easy to
handle because of its short
wheelbase, though the
springbase is long like , that'
of big heavy cars.
This combination of light
car convenience and big car
comfort results in a car of
such exceptional qualities
that it establishes a remark
ably high standard of motor
car comfort.
The ?edan is complete in every
detail. It weighs only 200 pounds
more than the Touring Car,
Willys-Overland Pacific Go,
Broadway at Davis Street, Phone Broadway 3535.
1 s
the side light is red. The signals are
manipulated by switch buttons con
veniently located on the steering
wheel.
GASOLINE STANDARD RAISED
Xo Specific Gravity in New Govern
ment Specifications.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 27. New gaso
line specifications for government use
have been adopted and will go into
effect at once.
Under these specifications the end
point is raised to 437 degrees Fahr.
and the 90 per cent point to 374 de
grees Fahr. The reading at the 46
per cent point is replaced by one at
the 60 per cent point and raised 9
degrees Fahr. There is no reference
AND STILL THEY COME HERE'S YET ANOTHER OF SCORES OF
NEW GARAGES IN PORTLAND.
Tills ts the new garage building; of the Oregon Auto Repair company, at
Sixteenth and Glinan streets. It -will Include both repair shop and
storage, the repair facilities including; a SIS.OAO set of tools. Ernest
Oetzen I s president, D. I Robinson vice-president and Christ Wrinfcler
is secretary. The building, which covers lOOxlOO, will be completed
about February iff, mark A. Slayer is putting up the building.
Dependable
Reliable
Serviceable
ASK ANY OWNER
A SUGGESTION
ASK
Rowell Bros.
Scholls, Ore.
1-1 Vz -TON CHASSIS, SOLID TIRES $1685
l-l2-TON CHASSIS, 35x5 CORD TIRES $1810
Vz -2-TON CHASSIS, 36x6 CORD TIRES $2050
F. O. B. PORTLAND
McCraken Motor Co.
STATE- DISTRIBUTORS
490 BURNSIDE STREET BROADWAY 93
The UNnrp States Lich Fand Heating Co
BATTERIES
are backed by service that counts at the
Sunset Electric Company.
AND
No matter what make of Battery you are
using, you may avail yourself freely of
our service. Drive down regularly for
tests. They are free.
AND
Please accept our sincere wishes for a
Happy New Year.
AND
We are building a new building at Ninth
and Hoyt Streets, 100x200, ready in a
few weeks.
Sunset
Electric Company
N. Eighth and Davis Streets
Broadway 126
ST aflSHTal WmM m SVJ
Some Exclusive County
Territory Still Open
911 CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE
Phone Man 3437