Race Porsche

By Peter Salmonford

 

In the course of running soot is formed in the engine, the quantity varying with the richness of the mixture and the facility for the lubricating oil to get past the piston. This carbonaceous deposit, combined with the non-inflammable constituents of road dust which are sucked through the carburetter, adheres to the cylinder walls and combustion head, causing falling off of power, and in time preignition. When the valve cap is removed it will be found that its underside is coated with soot, and sometimes even with a hard deposit, an indication of the state of the interior of the cylinder. To remove this carbon deposit, the usual procedure is to take off the cylinder so as to expose the parts and scratch off the deposit with a screwdriver or some similar instrument. From the tops of the piston the deposit can be cut away with a knife, and when removed the surfaces should be polished with fine emery cloth, as deposit adheres less easily to a polished surface. The deposit must be completely removed from all parts of the cylinder as well as the piston, a matter of some difficulty.

There have been one or two inventions evolved from time to time to remove the deposit without necessitating the dismantling of the engine. One of these is to insert a steel ball of about 5 inch diameter into the cylinder and then to run the engine, its action being to hammer the carbon deposit and so chip it off the surface. Another, and more promising, process consists in passing a stream of oxygen into the cylinder, lighting it, and so causing a chemical combination to take place between the carbon and the oxygen. As soon as all the carbon has combined the flame goes out, and it is known that the cylinder is clean. The writer has not tried either of these schemes, but mentions them as matters of interest. The ball process, however, would seem rather risky.

To keep an engine in good running order the valves, apart from grinding-in, require careful attention. In the olden days silence of running was not of great importance, but nowadays it is an essential, and to obtain it one of the most important points is to see that the clearance between the valve tappet  and the bottom of the valve stem is small. As the engine runs it will be understood that the tappet  rises rapidly and strikes the foot of the valve. If there is a large clearance between these two the impact between the tappet and the valve causes a clicking noise, which should be stopped by adjusting the tappet head close up to the valve stem. The usual distance or clearance is about 5 inches. The top of the tappet head is inlaid with fibre to reduce the noise, and in course of time this fibre becomes dented or recessed. The tappet should then be removed and its head filed flush so as to remove the indentation.

Peter Salmonford is a keen fan of cars, and likes to write about antique and modern vehcles. Take a look at his other articles on hydrogen conversion, the benefits of an electric car kit and using browns gas in your own car.

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Drive-In Theaters Or Driving Theaters? Today’s On-Board Vehicle Entertainment
By Mike Trudel

 There was a time when a static-filled sound box and a bag of greasy drive-in popcorn had to suffice for vehicle theater entertainment. Today’s vehicle manufacturers have taken the theater experience of yesteryear and brought it into the 21st century with a virtual in-car entertainment system. Portable device interfaces, media players and satellite television are just a few emerging technologies for an automotive engineer to consider integrating as an attractive magnet for potential car buyers.

Portable Entertainment

Functionality and integration of portable entertainment has become more than just a feature for luxury vehicles. Portable device interfaces allow drivers to access their home music library or a video game via their automotive system using a USB port. MP3 players connect directly to a vehicle radio and allow control of music selection while song title, artist, album and elapsed time are conveniently displayed on the radio. SD Card Playback, a navigation database interface, can also be used to bring music into the vehicle.

That’s Infotainment

With the advent of media players, today’s driver can integrate a variety of entertainment and information content to his or her preference. Music from multiple sources can be searched and played using a single interface. And those interfaces are controlled via voice, soft keys, a central control knob or steering wheel controls. Want to hear only reggae or pop while driving home from work? A “Similar Songs” button looks into the database and selects similar songs for play. Other media player features include Bluetooth (R) audio streaming, DVD-V/ROM, MP3 and full-featured navigation capabilities.

Best Seat Isn’t Even in the House

“Are we almost there?” is likely to turn into “We’re here already?” for those who discover the best seat in the house is at the rear of a vehicle. Rear-seat entertainment allows passengers to enjoy movies, music and video games via an LCD color monitor, which offers a crisp and clear picture, even at extreme viewing angles. Factory-installed systems include a DVD player, which forms the core of the system and can also read music, data files and photos. Illuminated keys let the viewer keep control of the DVD player, even in the dark.

After short journey breaks or after the engine has been switched off, a special module enables the system to know exactly which content was played last - so users do not have to go searching through the last film or music program.

Soon, consumers may also begin to see video/wireless systems that deliver separate options for the driver, front-seat passengers and the rear-seat positions. Drivers might listen to satellite radio, while passengers separately employ headphones to listen to MP3 players or watch DVDs.

TV on the Open Road

Satellite television allows passengers to leave DVDs at home and instead enjoy digital-quality entertainment channels on the open road. Various systems can provide access to more than 100 programming channels and more than 50 channels of satellite music. In addition, families can catch the big game, traffic reports or local news stories from the comfort of their vehicle via local networks. Satellite TV also integrates with various in-vehicle backseat video systems.

Popcorn Optional

Today’s on board car entertainment system provides seamless experiences in music, movies, television and more. Greater freedom from home to the open road means access to entertainment, navigation and safety features from behind the wheel. With all of these options, drivers may discover the best seat in the house is actually parked out in the garage.

Mike Trudel, Freelance Writer.

Delphi Corp. is poised to apply its expertise and know-how to provide vehicle manufacturers and consumers with in-vehicle entertainment and connectivity. To learn more about Delphi Corp., please visit www.Delphi.com/4Innovation or www.Delphi.com/4Connected.

Buying a Used Car Online
By Jay Gaulard

 There are a couple of major benefits to buying a used car online. You do not have to spend hours going from one dealership to another. Even better, you will not have to deal with overly pushy salespeople attempting to sell you more than you can logically afford. You can always look through your local newspaper’s online automotive classified website.

Tip #1 - Before Buying a Used Auto

Before buying a used car online, learn everything you can about what it should and could include. Learn about both standard and optional automotive equipment and the fair market value for the used car. Also, consider your budget. Knowing how much you have available before you start looking will help narrow down your choices. You will also be less tempted by an unaffordable auto.

Examine exactly why you want to buy a used car. The way you will use it can have a big impact on what type of auto you purchase. If you need an automotive for family outings or carpooling, a 2-seater sports car will not work.

Tip #2 - Questions to Ask Auto Seller

Ask the seller the following questions before buying an automotive online:

* Why are they selling the car? Beware if their reason seems unreasonable.

* Do you have service records? Having the service records will let you know what required services have and have not been completed. This will help you determine possible costs after you have purchased the auto.

* Is the title in the seller’s name? It can be difficult and time consuming to get the title changed from a previous owner. Another possibility is that you or the seller may be unable to locate the previous owner

* Are there any liens attached?

* Can I have an independent mechanic physically inspect the used car?

* Can I test drive the used car before buying it?

Tip #3 - Pictures of the Used Auto

Whenever possible, check out the used car in person. Otherwise, ask for pictures of the vehicle from every angle possible (inside and out), including the engine. Although not a sure-fire way to verify if the seller is being completely honest, this can help you to avoid some surprises. Even with pictures, you still need to be careful. Read over the original description of the used car and verify that it matches the one in the photo.

Tip #4 - CarFax Automotive Report

Ask the seller for the vehicle identification number, which you will need to run a CarFax report. This is a necessary step to protect you from fraud. A CarFax report will show you most major completed repairs and whether the car has been involved in an accident. If the report shows the vehicle has been in a bad accident, but the seller says the car is in tip-top shape, consider buying a different vehicle.

Tip #5 - Automotive Pricing

Before shelling out money or agreeing to a sales price, visit the Kelly Blue Book or Edmunds website to find the fair market value of the auto. Do this after you have seen pictures of the car so that you can be accurate about the car’s condition. Keep in mind that the sales price listed online probably does not include sales tax, registration, financing fees, or licensing and title fees.

Tip #6 - Where to Buy a Used Auto

You have several options regarding where to buy a used car online. Try looking through online automotive classified ads or on dealer websites. Another possibility is visiting online auto auction sites. Whichever way you choose, always follow the previously provided tips before making a purchase.

For many reasons, buying a car online can be much trickier than buying one in person. This is especially true when you decide to buy a non-local car, as you normally will not be able to see the car in person before you get it. Following the tips above can do away with many of the pitfalls.

Jay Gaulard writes for a wide selection of websites on various topics. He is a veteran of the internet and has come to be respected in his many areas of expertise. This article was written on behalf of AutoLeeg, a popular car classifieds website.

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