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Does cold weather affect
the Commutator? Answer No. 66
It is a well-known fact that in cold weather even the best grades of luoricating
oil are apt to congeal to some extent. If this occurs in the commutator it is
very apt to prevent the roller from making perfect contact with the contact points
imbedded in the fibre. This, of course, makes difficult starting as the roller
arm spring is not stiff enough to brush away the film of oil which naturally
forms over the contact points. To overcome this, as well as any liability of
the contact points to rust, we recommend a mixture of kerosene with commutator
lubricating oil, which will thin it sufficiently to prevent congealing, or freezing,
as it is commonly called. You have probably noticed in starting your car in cold
weather that perhaps only one or two cylinders will fire for the first minute
or so, which indicates that the timer is in the condition described above and
as a consequence a perfect contact is not being made on each of the four terminals.
How is the magneto removed?
It is necessary to take the power plant out of the car (see Answer No. 32)
in order to remove the magneto. Then remove crank case and transmission cover—take
out the four cap screws that hold the flywheel to the crank shaft. You will
then have access to the magnets and entire magneto mechanism. In taking out
these parts —or any parts of the car —the utmost care should be taken to
make sure that the parts are so marked that they may be replaced properly.
When the Magneto
gets out of order —what? Answer No. 68
The Ford magneto is made of permanent magnets and there is very little likelihood
of their ever losing their strength, unless acted upon by some outside force.
For instance, the attachment of a storage battery to the magneto terminal will
demagnetize the magnets. If anything like this happens, it is not advisable
to try to recharge them, but rather install a complete set of new magnets.
The new magnets will be sent from the nearest agent or branch house, and will
be placed on a board in identically the same manner as they should be when
installed on the flywheel. Great care should be taken in assembling the magnets
and lining up the magneto so that the faces of the magnets are separated from
the surface of the coil spool just 32 of an inch. To take out the old magnets,
simply remove the cap screws and brass screws which hold them in place. The
magneto is often blamed when the trouble is a weak current caused by waste
or other foreign matter accumulating under the contact spring, which is held
in place by the binding post on top of the transmission cover. Remove the three
screws which hold the binding post in place, remove binding post and spring
and replace after foreign substance has been removed.
Answer No. 67
Magnet
To Coil
End of Ribbon Grounded Here
Copper Wire
Magneto Coil --a°. Magneto Coil Support
The Ford Magneto. The flywheel with magnets revolves while
magneto coils remain stationary. (Cut No. 10)