9
CHAPTER IV
INSTRUCTIONS FOR ADJUSTING TEMPERATURE ON OLD REGULATION
Before any attempt is made to regulate the temperature on a White car there are several things that it is
positively necessary to do before any satisfactory results can be obtained by changing the adjustment of the
thermostat. It is necessary to be positive that all of the other automatic parts of the car are working properly. Make it a
fixed rule on both the old and new regulation never to touch the thermostat, unless you are absolutely sure that this is
true. See that the water lines are clean, namely, the screen in the water tank and the hose connecting the tank to the
pumps. Be certain that the pumps are pumping their full amount of water. This can be verified by an examination of
the checks and feeling the effect of the pumps with the hand pump plunger. Be sure that the water regulator pin valve
has a good seat and does not leak. See that the gasoline line is clear from the tank to the burner, that the wicking in the
strainer is not choked; that the vaporizer is clean, also the vaporizer nozzle.
When all these things are done, and not before, it is time to make the final adjustment on the thermostat. The
engine is allowed to run at a speed of approximately 400 to 450 RPM. The thermometer is inserted in the
thermometer well in the steam line. To be working correctly, the thermostat should open and close turning on and
shutting off the fuel quickly and cleanly. It is important that it shuts off the gasoline entirely, otherwise the slowly
drifting gases may cause backfiring. Allow the engine to run for half an hour. Read the thermometer every 3 minutes,
or at least often enough to see if there is any change in the temperature. After running a while the thermometer will
register a maximum temperature and stand there. After being positive that this point has been reached, take out the
thermostat needle valve and screw lock nuts up or down, according to whether the temperature is to be raised or
lowered. Turning the nut one turn downward towards point of needle valve raises the temperature sixty degrees, and
vice versa. The thermometer should stand at 390
o
when the thermostat is set correctly. This will probably give a
temperature of 400
o
when the car is running on the road. A centigrade C thermometer is customarily used. If not
possible to obtain a centigrade thermometer and a Fahrenheit is used, 735
o
is the correct reading. After adjusting the
thermostat while the car is standing, engine running idle on the floor, take it out on the road and test it for power. If
the pumps are working properly, and everything else is all right, including the temperature, there will be enough
power to satisfy anyone.
NEW REGULATION
In regulating the temperature on the new system, the same procedure is followed as mentioned above for the
old. Be positive about the condition of the pumps, the water regulator, the flow motor, the fuel line and the vaporizer.
Also that the thermostat needle valve does not leak water when closed. Latter is very important on account of the fact
that the regulation of the new system depends upon the water and fuel fed to the generator and burner respectively in
a certain ratio. In case the thermostat valve leaks, the ratio would be upset, as there is too much water for the amount
of fuel. As mentioned above, the adjustment of the thermostat should be the very last step when regulating the
temperature. The operation, however, is a little different in that the nuts on the needle valve are turned down to lower
the temperature instead of up. It is not good policy to try to get a temperature reading with the engine running idle.
The proper way to proceed is to run the engine idle with the thermometer in the steam line and check up the reading
of the pyrometer. After this is done it is easy to take the car out on the road and make the adjustments for temperature
at a speed of about 20 MPH. Be sure to run the car long enough to give temperature time to become fixed. It is apt to
vary when first starting out. If at any time the temperature should change suddenly while on the road do not change
the thermostat adjustment. The chances are that the vaporizer tip has a little dirt in it or that the thermostat valve is not
closing properly. Either one of these will cause an over supply of water for the amount of fuel.
DIRECTIONS FOR VALVE SETTING ON THE OLD TYPE ENGINES
1.
Fix the reverse lever in a rigid position at full valve stroke "go ahead", namely, in the same position as it
would be with the reverse lever in the first notch.
2.
Screw the valve stem into the valve stem guide to as nearly the proper position as possible by guess.
3.
Turn the engine in the direction it runs when the car is running ahead.
4.
In setting low pressure valve, turn the engine until the center punch mark on the high pressure counter-
weight is on a level with the edge of the crank case. In this position the low-pressure piston is at one end of
its stroke. Now, look at the valve and note how much it is open. The amount of opening in this position is
known as the "lead of the valve".
5.
Turn the engine in the same direction until the mark on the counter-weight comes opposite the crank on the
other side. This throws the low-pressure piston at the other end of its stroke. Note how much the valve is
