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The gasoline automobile - Hobbs
THE GASOLINE AUTOMOBILE
BY GEORGE W. HOBBS AND BEN G. ELLIOTT
MCGRAW-HILL BOOK COMPANY, NEW YORK, 1919
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PREFACE
The purpose of this book is admirably expressed in the following quotation taken from the Buick instruction book: "To derive the greatest amount of satisfaction and pleasure from the use of his car the driver should have a complete understanding of the mechanical principles underlying its operation. Merely knowing which pedal to press or which lever to pull is not enough. The really competent driver should understand what happens in the various parts of the car's mechanism when he presses the pedal or pulls the lever. He should know the cause as well as the result."
When we consider the complexity of modern automobiles from a mechanical standpoint, with the duties that are required of them, together with the fact that the great majority of them are operated by men with little or no experience in the handling of machinery, the automobile stands as one of the most remarkable machines that the ingenuity of man has ever produced. The operating expense of the automobile has already assumed a large place in the budget of the American people. Although it is so built that the owner may secure good service from his automobile with very little knowledge of its construction, still it is evident that an intimate acquaintance with its details should enable him to secure better service at less expense and at the same time to prolong the useful life of the car.
It is with the hope of increasing the pleasure of automobile ownership and reducing the trouble and expense of operation that this book is offered. It is planned primarily for use in the University Extension work in Wisconsin, for the instruction of those who drive, repair, sell, or otherwise have to do with motor cars. It is largely the outgrowth of a series of lectures on the subject which were given in twenty-three cities of Wisconsin during the past winter.
When we consider the complexity of modern automobiles from a mechanical standpoint, with the duties that are required of them, together with the fact that the great majority of them are operated by men with little or no experience in the handling of machinery, the automobile stands as one of the most remarkable machines that the ingenuity of man has ever produced. The operating expense of the automobile has already assumed a large place in the budget of the American people. Although it is so built that the owner may secure good service from his automobile with very little knowledge of its construction, still it is evident that an intimate acquaintance with its details should enable him to secure better service at less expense and at the same time to prolong the useful life of the car.
It is with the hope of increasing the pleasure of automobile ownership and reducing the trouble and expense of operation that this book is offered. It is planned primarily for use in the University Extension work in Wisconsin, for the instruction of those who drive, repair, sell, or otherwise have to do with motor cars. It is largely the outgrowth of a series of lectures on the subject which were given in twenty-three cities of Wisconsin during the past winter.
CONTENTS
- The Automobile
- The Automobile Engine
- Automobile Power Plants
- Fuel and Carburetting Systems
- Engine Lubricating and Cooling
- Principles of Electricity and Magnetism
- Battery Ignition Systems
- Magnetos and Magneto Ignition
- The Automobile Storage Battery
- Starting and Lighting Systems
- The Automobile Chassis and Running Gear
- Clutches and Transmissions
- Rear Axles and Differentials
- Wheels, Rims, and Tires
- Automobile Troubles and Remedies
- Operation and Care
CHAPTER I - THE AUTOMOBILE
Automobiles may be classified according to the type of power plant used, as steam, electric, gasoline, and gasoline-electric; or they may be divided into two classes according to use, as passenger cars and commercial cars.
1. The Steam Propelled Car - The steam engine, when used on an automobile, has the advantage of being very flexible. All operations such as starting, stopping, reversing, and acquiring changes of speed can be done directly through the throttle on the steering wheel. By opening or closing the throttle, more steam or less steam is supplied to the engine, and the power is increased or decreased in proportion. When the car is climbing a hill, it is necessary only to give the engine more steam. This results in more power being delivered. The fact that the steam engine is able to start under load eliminates the clutch and also the transmission or change speed gears, the engine being connected directly to the rear axle. The arrangement of the parts on the Doble steam car is illustrated in Fig. 1.
The disadvantage of the steam propelled car is that it sometimes requires considerable time to raise the steam pressure before starting. This is especially true if the boiler has been allowed to cool off. If it is desired to keep the steam pressure up so that the car can be started without loss of time, a pilot light must be kept burning under the boiler at all times. The steam pressure carried is very high, and this means that constant care and attention must be given to the boiler and its accessories. The steam car requires that the boiler be filled with water for making steam every 150 to 250 miles. Kerosene is generally used for heating the boiler.
2. The Electric Car - The advantages of the electric car are similar to those of the steam car. The electric motor is very flexible in operation and can be operated entirely by the control levers. By supplying more current or less current to the motor the power is increased or decreased accordingly. The electric car is especially adapted to the use of women and children in cities. It is an easy riding car, clean, and runs quietly. The disadvantages are that it is not suitable for long drives, heavy roads, or hilly country. On one charge of the battery the average car will run from 100 to 150 miles, depending on the speed of the car and the condition of the roads. If the car is run at high speed, the battery will not drive the car as far as it will when running at a moderate rate. This car is also limited to localities where there are ample facilities for charging the storage batteries.
3. The Gasoline Car - The gasoline engine is very economical as an automobile power plant. After being started, it has great flexibility. It is especially adapted for touring purposes and does not require any great attention from the operator. The average car carries enough fuel to run it 200 to 400 miles. It is then necessary to refill the gasoline tank. Occasionally, a quart or two of water should be put into the radiator. With proper care, the engine will run as long as the gasoline supply and the electrical system hold out. The disadvantages of the gasoline engine as compared with those of the steam engine or electric motor are, first, the gasoline engine is not self starting; and, second, it lacks overload capacity. On account of these two factors some method of changing the speed ratio of the engine to the rear wheels is necessary in order to acquire extra power for starting the car, for climbing hills, for heavy roads, and also for reversing the car as the ordinary four-stroke automobile engine is not reversible. The gasoline engine will not start under load. This necessitates the use of a clutch, so that the engine can be started and speeded up before any load is thrown on. Apparently, there are a great many disadvantages to the gasoline engine but in reality they are very few, for with the proper handling of the spark and throttle control levers it is not necessary to keep changing gears continually. The gear shifting lever need not be used except for starting, stopping, hill climbing in congested districts, and on bad roads. The advantages of the gasoline engine for use on an automobile are so numerous that it is universally used for driving pleasure and commercial cars.
4. The Gasoline- electric Car - The gasoline-electric or the dual-power car is driven by a combination of a gasoline engine and an electric motor. This arrangement, illustrated in Fig. 3, gives the advantages of both the gasoline car and the electric car. The electric motor is connected directly to the propeller shaft running to the rear axle. By means of a magnetic clutch, the gasoline engine can be connected to the shaft of the motor. there are no change gears or transmission. The car is started by the electric motor, and, after a certain speed is attained, the engine may be started by a magnetic clutch. Power for running may be obtained either from the electric motor and batteries, from the engine alone, or from both.
6. Types of Cars - In general, there are two types of motor cars - passenger cars and commercial cars — the names indicating the use for which each type is intended. The parts of the passenger and commercial car are similar except that in the passenger car the construction is lighter than in the commercial car. In the passenger car everything is planned for comfort and speed, while the commercial car is built for heavy loads and is generally intended to be driven at lower speeds.
6, Passenger Car Bodies - The principal types of bodies for passenger cars are the roadster, the touring car, the coupe, the sedan, the limousine, and the town car. These are shown in Fig. 4. The roadster body is open and usually has one seat for either two or three persons. Occasionally, both front and rear seats are provided, increasing the seating capacity to four. In this case, the front seat is divided by an aisle which furnishes the entrance from the front doors to the rear seat. The name cloverleaf is sometimes given to this type of roadster body. The seating arrangement of the Chandler four-passenger roadster is seen in Fig. 5.
In the touring car body, which is also open, rear seats with separate rear doors are provided. The seating capacity is for five or even seven, in which case two additional folding seats, in front of the rear seat, are provided. In some cases only rear doors are provided, the entrance to the front seats being through the aisle. Figure 6 illustrates a seven-passenger touring car with the two auxiliary folding seats in front of the rear seat.
The coupe is similar to the roadster excepting that it is enclosed and inside operated. It has seating capacity for two or three, and quite often a small seat which faces backward provides for another passenger. When a coupe is provided with a detachable top or sides as in Fig. 7, it gives all the advantages of an open roadster. Such a coup6 is sometimes called a convertible coupe or cabriolet
The sedan is practically an enclosed touring body. It may be of the single or two door type. If of the single door type, the front seat is divided by an aisle to furnish an entrance. In some types of sedan bodies, the sides can be removed during summer use, giving practically all the advantages of an open touring body. A double door sedan is illustrated in Fig. 8.
The limousine is a closed body, seating three to seven persons, with the driver's seat in front covered with a top. If the driver's seat is open and not covered, the body is called a brougham or town car. If on either a limousine or town car, arrangements are provided for throwing open the housing of the rear seat, Fig. 9, the body is called a landaulet.
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1. The Steam Propelled Car - The steam engine, when used on an automobile, has the advantage of being very flexible. All operations such as starting, stopping, reversing, and acquiring changes of speed can be done directly through the throttle on the steering wheel. By opening or closing the throttle, more steam or less steam is supplied to the engine, and the power is increased or decreased in proportion. When the car is climbing a hill, it is necessary only to give the engine more steam. This results in more power being delivered. The fact that the steam engine is able to start under load eliminates the clutch and also the transmission or change speed gears, the engine being connected directly to the rear axle. The arrangement of the parts on the Doble steam car is illustrated in Fig. 1.
The disadvantage of the steam propelled car is that it sometimes requires considerable time to raise the steam pressure before starting. This is especially true if the boiler has been allowed to cool off. If it is desired to keep the steam pressure up so that the car can be started without loss of time, a pilot light must be kept burning under the boiler at all times. The steam pressure carried is very high, and this means that constant care and attention must be given to the boiler and its accessories. The steam car requires that the boiler be filled with water for making steam every 150 to 250 miles. Kerosene is generally used for heating the boiler.
2. The Electric Car - The advantages of the electric car are similar to those of the steam car. The electric motor is very flexible in operation and can be operated entirely by the control levers. By supplying more current or less current to the motor the power is increased or decreased accordingly. The electric car is especially adapted to the use of women and children in cities. It is an easy riding car, clean, and runs quietly. The disadvantages are that it is not suitable for long drives, heavy roads, or hilly country. On one charge of the battery the average car will run from 100 to 150 miles, depending on the speed of the car and the condition of the roads. If the car is run at high speed, the battery will not drive the car as far as it will when running at a moderate rate. This car is also limited to localities where there are ample facilities for charging the storage batteries.
3. The Gasoline Car - The gasoline engine is very economical as an automobile power plant. After being started, it has great flexibility. It is especially adapted for touring purposes and does not require any great attention from the operator. The average car carries enough fuel to run it 200 to 400 miles. It is then necessary to refill the gasoline tank. Occasionally, a quart or two of water should be put into the radiator. With proper care, the engine will run as long as the gasoline supply and the electrical system hold out. The disadvantages of the gasoline engine as compared with those of the steam engine or electric motor are, first, the gasoline engine is not self starting; and, second, it lacks overload capacity. On account of these two factors some method of changing the speed ratio of the engine to the rear wheels is necessary in order to acquire extra power for starting the car, for climbing hills, for heavy roads, and also for reversing the car as the ordinary four-stroke automobile engine is not reversible. The gasoline engine will not start under load. This necessitates the use of a clutch, so that the engine can be started and speeded up before any load is thrown on. Apparently, there are a great many disadvantages to the gasoline engine but in reality they are very few, for with the proper handling of the spark and throttle control levers it is not necessary to keep changing gears continually. The gear shifting lever need not be used except for starting, stopping, hill climbing in congested districts, and on bad roads. The advantages of the gasoline engine for use on an automobile are so numerous that it is universally used for driving pleasure and commercial cars.
4. The Gasoline- electric Car - The gasoline-electric or the dual-power car is driven by a combination of a gasoline engine and an electric motor. This arrangement, illustrated in Fig. 3, gives the advantages of both the gasoline car and the electric car. The electric motor is connected directly to the propeller shaft running to the rear axle. By means of a magnetic clutch, the gasoline engine can be connected to the shaft of the motor. there are no change gears or transmission. The car is started by the electric motor, and, after a certain speed is attained, the engine may be started by a magnetic clutch. Power for running may be obtained either from the electric motor and batteries, from the engine alone, or from both.
6. Types of Cars - In general, there are two types of motor cars - passenger cars and commercial cars — the names indicating the use for which each type is intended. The parts of the passenger and commercial car are similar except that in the passenger car the construction is lighter than in the commercial car. In the passenger car everything is planned for comfort and speed, while the commercial car is built for heavy loads and is generally intended to be driven at lower speeds.
6, Passenger Car Bodies - The principal types of bodies for passenger cars are the roadster, the touring car, the coupe, the sedan, the limousine, and the town car. These are shown in Fig. 4. The roadster body is open and usually has one seat for either two or three persons. Occasionally, both front and rear seats are provided, increasing the seating capacity to four. In this case, the front seat is divided by an aisle which furnishes the entrance from the front doors to the rear seat. The name cloverleaf is sometimes given to this type of roadster body. The seating arrangement of the Chandler four-passenger roadster is seen in Fig. 5.
In the touring car body, which is also open, rear seats with separate rear doors are provided. The seating capacity is for five or even seven, in which case two additional folding seats, in front of the rear seat, are provided. In some cases only rear doors are provided, the entrance to the front seats being through the aisle. Figure 6 illustrates a seven-passenger touring car with the two auxiliary folding seats in front of the rear seat.
The coupe is similar to the roadster excepting that it is enclosed and inside operated. It has seating capacity for two or three, and quite often a small seat which faces backward provides for another passenger. When a coupe is provided with a detachable top or sides as in Fig. 7, it gives all the advantages of an open roadster. Such a coup6 is sometimes called a convertible coupe or cabriolet
The sedan is practically an enclosed touring body. It may be of the single or two door type. If of the single door type, the front seat is divided by an aisle to furnish an entrance. In some types of sedan bodies, the sides can be removed during summer use, giving practically all the advantages of an open touring body. A double door sedan is illustrated in Fig. 8.
The limousine is a closed body, seating three to seven persons, with the driver's seat in front covered with a top. If the driver's seat is open and not covered, the body is called a brougham or town car. If on either a limousine or town car, arrangements are provided for throwing open the housing of the rear seat, Fig. 9, the body is called a landaulet.
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