The author outlines in a general way the relation of car performance to modern engine development. He considers particularly weight reduction and torque performance of high-speed engines, giving the undesirable characteristics attending the increased torque range gained by higher speed.
He next discusses the relation of torque to total car weight, to acceleration and to hill-climbing ability and suggests a method of determining the value of a car in terms of its performance ability.
The author holds incorrect those systems in which the amount of lubrication is in proportion to speed only; and in which oil for crankshaft and crankpin bearings must cool as well as lubricate them. He shows a system designed to solve these oiling problems.
Static, running and distortion balance of a rotating mass are defined by the author, who shows how they apply to a large number of types of crankshafts. The paper not only deals with the counterbalancing problem as regards the crankshaft itself, but also with the centrifugal effects of the connecting-rod and piston parts. In conclusion a discussion is given of what are correct counterbalancing masses for service conditions.
