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CHAPTER III
LUBRICATION
Lubrication is the process of introducing some substance between two moving contact surfaces in order to
preserve them from wear. If the surface of a bearing, no matter how finely finished could be viewed through a
microscope, it would have a very rough and ragged appearance. When two such surfaces are moving in different
directions, while in contact, these "tiny mountain ranges" will begin breaking each other loose from their respective
surfaces, meanwhile continually creating new ones. This process is commonly known as cutting or scoring. If we can
introduce some substance between these surfaces, which will fill all the little crevices, and hold them apart, we have a
lubricant. The use of grease and oil accomplished this end, and under proper conditions gives satisfactory results.
An article by Prof. Thos. P. Stillman, says: The generally accepted conditions of a good lubricant are as
follows:
1.
Body enough to prevent the surfaces to which it is applied from coming in contact with each other.
(Viscosity).
2.
Freedom from corrosive acid, either of mineral or animal origin.
3.
As fluid as possible consistent with "body"
4.
A minimum coefficient of Friction.
5.
High flash and burning points.
6.
Freedom from all materials liable to produce oxidation or gumming.
A lack of proper lubrication is one of the greatest sources of damage and depreciation with which the
automobile has to contend. Even under the best conditions, the dust and mud of the road are apt to increase the
chances for wear by working in between the bearing surfaces. The least harm, which can result from improper
lubrication, is a very rapid increase in the rate of wear. From this degree it may range on up to the point where an
entire unit of mechanism may be cut to pieces and ruined in the space of a few minutes. One cannot be too careful
about the lubrication, for it is the very life of the machine.
The benefits derived from proper lubrication are numerous. Chief of these is long life due to lack of wear.
Easy running results in economy of fuel and tires. The man who spends from 20 minutes to half an hour oiling and
inspecting his car before starting out is the one who never leaves his driving seat while one the road, except for
accidental breaks or tire trouble. One does not necessarily have to be an engineer or mechanic in order to run an
automobile successfully. A liberal use of common sense and oil will accomplish wonders along this line.
The points to be lubricated on the White car, enumerated in the order of their importance, are as follows:
First, the cylinders: Applied energy is obtained from a steam engine by means of the steam pushing a piston up and
down in a closed cylinder. This piston must fit close enough to be steam tight and at the same time be free to move up
and down. From this fact it can readily be seen that the power and economy of the engine depends upon a steam tight
joint between the moving piston and the cylinder walls. Proper cylinder lubrication helps to preserve this steam tight
fit and helps to prevent leakage past the piston by forming a film on the cylinder surface.
The conditions within the cylinders are such as to demand a constant supply of oil of a high flash test. The
supply must be regular, as the flow of steam is continually carrying it away through the exhaust. If the oil ceases to
feed even for a short time, the pistons and valves become dry almost immediately and are apt to start cutting. The
steam used in the White engine is very hot, much more so than is commonly used in other steam plants, consequently
it is necessary to use an oil which has a high test and a good body under high temperatures. It is advisable to select an
oil which is well recommended and known to be all right. Then use that oil to the exclusion of all others, for it does
not pay to experiment with oils, when the result may be a pair of badly damaged cylinders. The oil enters the
cylinders by way of the steam chest, where it lubricates the valves before reaching the pistons. The feed is made pos-
itive by means of a little plunger pump, which is located in the oil box on the dash. The pipe from this pump to the
cylinders should be inspected occasionally to see that it has no leaks. Any leak would rob the cylinders of their full
amount of lubrication and should be stopped at once. The later model cars have a handle on the oiler box, which
operates the force feed by hand. The proper time to use this is when the engine is laboring up a hill or through sand,
etc., at slow speed. When the engine is running under light load, to oil by hand is entirely unnecessary, and merely
results in wasting oil. The automatic oiler supplies a sufficient amount for all but the most extreme conditions. It
probably does even then, but many prefer to be on the safe side by using the hand oiler.
