Re: [AMC-List] Another Re; E Stick, now Drivers

[farna@xxxxxxx]

The industrial versions of the variable pulley system ARE successful. We had a mid 60 combine (small one -- 200 Ford six, 28-20 foot header) that had that type drive. Many variable speed drill presses use it (the ones with a screw in/out speed handle that say "must be running to change speed"), and many other machine tools. Low rpm on the combine -- the pulleys changed size for load and engine rpm. Light load and high rpm it would pick up speed great (but relativley slow and steady acceleration) -- like drivnig down a road. In the field (pulling harder) it would let the engine speed go up and forward speed wouldn't change if there was a load. NEVER had a problem with the 2.5-3" wide, 1" thick drive belt. The gears would only change so fast though, that was the key. Quick changes and rapid application of torque would have burned the belt up. Belt life was a problem with cars bigger than the Justy, which was a 1.0L, or close to that. Didn't know about the Saturn.

The Dodge Caliber auto is a variable speed unit that works pretty much the same way, so is the new Nissan (which I think they call a variomatic -- same name as old DAF?). New leaps and bounds in belt fiber technology will make a huge difference -- belts with Kevlar or similar high heat/strength synthetic fibers, and even with stainless steel in them, should work better. I recently drove a Caliber. I thought they'd solved the problem by having a real first gear, because the thing accelerates then you feel a shift. After that it's variable. The dealer said the computer is just programmed that way -- holding it at a higer reduction for a bit then letting it go up reduces wear and makes the driver more comfortable. After that you can floor it and the engine rpm goes up a half second before the car starts accelerating -- more of what I exepcted. It's pretty smooth, but I told the wife I'd never buy one now. In a couple years, once they've proven themselves (or not!) I would. Don'!
 t want 
a Saturn variable drive experience! (GM is so prone to introduce things before they're proven) New it drives fine -- go out and test drive one. The only thing we didn't like was visibility. Wide door frames and pillars, especially in the back, look good but blocks view, especially to rear quarters. Might have to try the Nissan.

I remember reading in Hemmings Classic Car (heck, what was it before the name change? think it was one of those...) about the White. Low speed/power/compression high torque engine is what made it possible (like the combine described above). But there are modern applications. Snapper rear engine mowers use the same thing and run for many years. I think they still use it on the "classic" Snapper rear engien rider today. I don't recall any other name brands, but have seen similar riders with the same setup, even a couple front engine lawn tractors. Lots of old ideas getting explored again -- technology (such as flexible stainless and Kevlar belts) may make them more feasible now than whe they were invented. Like John Mahoney has said many times -- every auto maker needs an auto historian. Not only to learn from mistakes, but to recall old ideas that might be more workable now than when they were ahead of the technology of their times.

--
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Motors Cars" 
Magazine (AMC)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://farna.home.att.net/AIM.html
(free download available!)

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