especially those which had perhaps been standing idle too long, or subjected to Hudsonotes excessive short-run or stop-and-go driv- ing — or used with inferior gasoline. Today, with special top-cylinder lubri- Column of Mechanical Miscellany cants not as readily available as they by George Schmidt were in past years, some mechanics Mishicot, Wisc. suggest using an equivalent amount of plain light straight-grade motor oil, usually Accessories and Additives #10, in the gasoline instead. (Multi- grades such as #10W-30 should be (part 14 of a series) avoided since they do not dissolve well in fuel, and may also cause added TOP CYLINDER OIL or "valve lu- deposits.) Probably a high-quality two- bricant" is an accessory additive item miles. A few brands such as DuPont or cycle engine oil, or even some aircraft which has been available for decades, STP which included a sizable amount of oils, could be used for this purpose as probably since the 1920's or earlier. ordinary anti-gum gasoline solvent along well. Many brands of "top oil" were offered, with the top oil could be used in a A FEW TOP-CYLINDER lubricants also including some from independent sour- double (8-ounce) amount; or if preferred, are still available at present. Although the ces and others from nearly every major the other brands could be used along convenient 4-ounce cans have disap- oil company, including Mobil (Upper- with an equal amount of such solvent peared from gasoline stations, several lube), Shell, Texaco, Amoco (also sold at (Gumout, Gold Eagle, etc.) purchased familiar brands (in larger containers, 12 Standard stations), Marvel, Pyroil, Shaler separately. This latter type of solvent, ountes or more) can be found at some (Rislone), Wynn's, Bardahl, and more. still generally available and useful mainly auto-accessory or repair shops, the During the past few years, however, for carburetor cleaning purposes, is clean automotive departments of some chain most of these brands have apparently burning, but should not be used in stores, and similar outlets. Brands may been discontinued or become hard to stronger than recommended concentra- include Marvel Mystery Oil (Robert Poe, find, due no doubt partly to continued tions, since damage to the fuel pump Illinois, reports that a special effort has "antismog" hysterics. Used in excessive diaphragm could result. been made in recent months to increase amounts, these products could of course None of the products mentioned here the distribution of this long-known pro- dirty not only the air but the spark plugs; could work miracles on a worn-out or duct); also Bardahl Top Oil (now in but used correctly, they could make for a damaged engine or carburetor, but they plastic bottles), Rislone Karbout (oil plus somewhat cleaner burning engine, mainly often had a useful "spring tonic" effect special solvent), and perhaps others. by reducing valve sticking and valve on units in good to fair condition, These products are intended to help guide wear, and probably also by reducing upper cylinder and top ring wear and 41111111 1111111 possible ring sticking. Better fuel economy .m...... 1111111111111111111111111111111111111 W was sometimes claimed as well, but this writer found the most noticeable benefit from occasional use of these products to be a slightly smoother running engine, and perhaps also easier starting. This seemed to be especially true with , • e older flathead engines such as Hudson en5 (including Eights). Surprisingly, it also proved true with small air-cooled engines TUNEUP (on power lawn mowers and the like), some of which have been notorious for PEPS UP THE OLD OIL sticking valves and power loss when hot. Restores that New-Car Zip to the old vs: A number of the top-cylinder lubricants and sluggish engine. TO GASOLINE contained small amounts of special cleaning materials in addition to the BREAKS-IN the NEW TUNEUP usual light oil. Amoco's "Top-C-Lube" Provides extra insurance for maximum '"""a""M""n"""".nnn•n••1 performance from the new engine. It OIL included an ester-type solvent which gives additional protection to pistons GasoL,,d was particularly effective. and cylinders and helps set rings properly. Most often these "top oils" were used si mply by adding them to the fuel tank, This is a specially designed petroleum base product with one 4-ounce can for each 10 to 20 a chemical additive. The oil used has exceptional cleans- ing properties which, together with the chemical addi- gallons of gasoline, at every filling or tive, help tune up engines when used as directed. Hudson perhaps at every 2 to 4 fillings or 1000 Tune-up Oil is entirely harmless—will not injure the finest mechanism. White Triangle News 31 lubricate valves, guides, and the upper solvents such as Pyroil Carburetor Clean- tavern, he came out smiling, and com- cylinder area; remove fuel deposits, free er, Gumout, and Gold Eagle Gum Chaser mented that he thought he might be able sticking valves, and reduce repair costs. have already been mentioned. They can to fix me up. He called to his wife to bring Your columnist's experience has been be found in both aerosol-spray and some cinnamon (yes, I said cinnamon!). that they generally fulfill all of these liquid form, and they provide cleaning "After filling the radiator and running claims to some degree. action but no top-cylinder or valve the engine to get it hot again, he put Since the 1950's and probably earlier, lubrication. about 1 1/2 heaping tablespoons of cin- there have been accessory devices which A lower-cost type of fuel additive namon into the radiator, put the cap offer an alternative method of feeding contains mostly an alcohol (either methyl back on, and waited while the engine top-cylinder oils to the engine. These or isopropyl, both unfortunately undrink- continued running. You could see the "top oilers" usually mounted underhood able) and has only slight cleaning value, leak start to plug up, and in about 15 and featured a glass jar for the oil, along but is highly miscible with both gasoline minutes the leak stopped. Car smelled with a vacuum-operated feed system and water, and so will remove condensed like Danish pastry, too. He said that including a metering control and one or moisture from the fuel by holding it in ginger will do the same thing, but it will two tubes leading to the carburetor base suspension. "Heet" is one of the familiar. plug up the cooling system. (sometimes a special base). Accessory brands. "I ran that Pontiac with the cinnamon top oilers for cars and trucks were One other class of fuel additives has radiator for 9 months before getting it available from several companies (in- appeared since the recent irresponsible repaired — with no problems, either. cluding Pyroil, if memory serves. Does outlawing of tetraethyl lead in gasoline. Since that time I've done the same stunt any reader remember other brands, and These additives, it is claimed, can counter- with my daughter's '77 Firebird and Bob the approximate years?) Your columnist act or minimize the harm to engines (and Patzer's '52 ; and needless has seen one of these oilers (brand to engine performance) caused by the to say, my Hudson has a small bottle of unknown) on a '52 Hornet, and another elimination of lead compounds in fuel. cinnamon in the glovebox at all times." on a Studebaker of the same era. We Though your columnist has not yet tried Thanks, Carl, for an interesting tech would like to know whether any Hudsons any additives of this kind, we are hoping tip. It is certainly one of the more in our club are equipped with working to hear from readers who have tried appealing suggestions for making an top oilers at present. Because of vacuum them, either in a Hudson (especially a emergency radiator repair. Since receiving actuation, most of these oilers probably hot Hornet) or in a Brand X. your letter, I've been told that some have tended to feed more oil at idle It is wise to read the instructions motorists have also used granulated (when vacuum level is high), and less carefully before using any additive. For pepper for this purpose. when the engine is working under load badly sticking valves, some brands (in- ALTHOUGH POWER STEERING and with throttle open. cluding Karbout) are recommended to brakes may not be the most distinctive Bob Poe, who recently assumed the be poured into the intake, through accessories in Hudson history, they Marvel Oil Company distributorship for carburetor (engine running), and left to certainly have drawn the largest number Chicago and the surrounding area, stand for several hours before restarting. of reader comments during past months. informs us that the Marvel Inverse Oiler, If an additive is to be mixed with the Most of those who wrote apparently in several models and sizes, is still being gasoline in tank, one method is to make a view these two options more favorably marketed for use on cars, trucks, and premix with a gallon or two of fuel in an than does your columnist. A letter from stationary engines. The special feature of external container, but this is seldom Forrest Schaeffer, Pennsylvania, tells us: this oiler is that it feeds top oil in inverse necessary. An easier method is to pour "I purchased my Super Wasp in 1967 proportion to engine vacuum level, so the additive into tank; then follow on the streets of the Bronx, New York. At that most of the oil is supplied when the i mmediately with several extra gallons of the time it had no power steering. I engine is being run under heavy loads gasoline to promote proper mixing. restored the car, and like it a lot; but a with large throttle openings, and is most A SPICY SUGGESTION is offered by 1 954 Hudson Wasp is a hard steerer likely to need the extra lubrication. Carl Laska, Wisconsin, who has written (18.2 to 1 ratio), and doesn't handle as MANY OTHER ADDITIVES for gasoline to tell us about an unusual emergency well as the [longer-wheelbase) 1948-49 have been used in past years — some additive for a leaking radiator (column, Supers and Commodores. sold separately in cans, and others added November/December '87 WT/M. He "In 1980 or so I met an H-E-T member by refiners (or conceivably by their adver- relates: at 'Doc's' meet in Virginia. This member tising agencies). Gasoline Retailer (a trade "About 12 years ago we were returning was from Minnesota originally, and told paper) in one mid-1960's issue featured from a fishing trip ... my car at the time me about a '54 Wasp resting in a a takeoff on fuel commercials of the was a Pontiac with 400-CID engine .. . junkyard in New London, Minnesota. ti me, describing a fictitious gasoline which when much to my dismay the engine That car, he was sure, had power steering, had 237 additives, and was free ("you overheated . . . . After it cooled down I and he told me it was just what I needed pay only for the additives"). But whether refilled the radiator, only to find a good- fry my '54 . In the spring of despite the additives or because of them, sized hole as the cause of overheating .... 1 981 I contacted the "Windy Hill Auto gasolines of the '60's were of course A passing motorist stopped and told me Ranch" in New London — and lo and generally of better quality than those sold to check with a tavern owner that was a behold, they did have the '54 with power today. couple of hundred yards down the road. steering. I came to terms with the man at Of the additives available in cans, When I drove into the parking lot of his Windy Hill, and he agreed to remove this 32 May/June 1988 equipment from the car and send it to about converting to power steering. Not and a brake fluid line from master cylinder me. He did; and it was miraculously all in everyone, it's true, objects to the quick underneath car. There is another fluid fine condition except for the pump, manual steering on Pacemaker and Wasp li ne which evidently connects the unit to which would not maintain enough (except possibly for parking maneuvers). the front and rear brakes. The unit also pressure at low speeds when power- The larger optional (18") steering wheel has a standard brake bleeder screw, but assist is needed most. I had the pump is helpful on these cars, as are a few extra no visible fluid filler cap. Rear portion of rebuilt at a local hydraulic repair shop, pounds of tire inflation. unit is a Bendix vacuum cylinder much and proceeded with the installation. It is Most of us are likely to agree with resembling the one in a power-brake a Vickers pump [illustration, January/ Forrest's comment about Hudson brakes. unit of the type more commonly used on February WTN, p. 40]. However, another letter received early 1 954 Hudsons (see illustrations in No- "Putting power steering on a Wasp this year indicates that the Bendix vember/December '87 WTM, or the one with stick shift was quite a challenge. power-brake systems found on 1954 in a Hudson vacuum clutch control unit, First of all, the unit is Monroe, and Hudsons may not all be of the same 1 938-51. completely different from the Saginaw design. John O'Halloran, Illinois, writes: We are curious as to whether this on a Hornet. Second, unlike the Hornet, "After the November/December WTN unusual power-brake installation was the Wasp steering-gear housing assembly came out, I took several pictures of the perhaps an aftermarket add-on item for is not interchangeable between manual power accessories on my yellow [1954] Hudson and other cars, or a one-off and power-steering models (among other Hornet. Unlike John Miesner's car, which custom job on this '54 sedan, or possibly things, the ratios are different). Third, the you mentioned in the WTN, this car has a even a factory prototype, or an alternative column and worm assembly is different brake setup which utilizes the existing layout used on a very limited share of with power steering on a Wasp; and master cylinder and brake pedal. You Hudson production. Can any reader tell fourth, the center steering arm and pivot can see from the photo that this power us? assembly is different; thus all of these booster was [also] made by Bendix. With A BAD misprint was also in the parts had to be replaced. Lastly, on stick- this setup, the Triple Safe brakes still November/December WTN, p. 38: "Al- shift Wasps, the clutch cross shaft bracket operate." though Hudsons in any case are noted (which attaches to the frame) is a special The above paragraph was certainly a for excessive nosedive or weight transfer one if the car has power steering. Of surprise to your columnist, who had to the front when braking..." It should of course the power-steering cylinder, drag never heard of this type of brake booster course have read: "Although Hudsons in li nk, etc. are unique to the '54 Wasp. being installed on a Hudson. According any case are not noted for excessive "Fortunately, Windy Hill had sent me to the photograph, this power brake unit nosedive or weight transfer . . . " (Drat all of the needed goodies; and after a few mounts underhood in the usual location those type gremlins.) In a future column: frustrating days I figured out the jigsaw (at firewall, left side). It apparently is fed more reader letters and Hudson acces- puzzle of pieces, and properly mounted by a large vacuum line from the manifold, sories. my 'new' power-steering option. It works fine, and has made the Super Wasp a much easier-to-handle car. The power- assisted steering is not too light. It takes enough effort to steer so that you still have the feel of the road . . . . I drove power steering of the 1952-55 era, and if memory serves me correctly, my Hudson steering is much superior. I've never driven a Hudson Hornet with power steering, so really can't compare Wasp and Hornet on that score. "I might add that the Hudson power- steering hoses (now 34 years old, in- cluding some time in the junkyard) are still working and looking fine, which is more than I can say for my 1984 AMC Eagle which required a new steering hose after just 3 years and 60,000 miles. "I did not add power brakes to my Super Wasp, even though I have a power-brake unit that could be put in. I want to keep the safety of mechanical brakes on the pedal. Furthermore, I find that the regular hydraulics work well, and are not too hard." WE'RE GRATEFUL for Forrest's letter, Power Brake cylinderfrom John and for the practical details he gives O'Hallorans '54 Hornet. White Triangle News 33