Model T "Jake Brake" - A Test

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2013: Model T "Jake Brake" - A Test
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Thode Chehalis Washington on Monday, December 30, 2013 - 02:37 am:

In another thread there was some discussion about the effect of retarding the spark when descending steep hills. Some felt that retarding the spark had an effect similar to a jake brake on a truck and some really did not think it made any difference. No one had really did any direct comparison to see how it works - until now.

The roads were a little cleaner here now so I took the opportunity to do some testing on a nearby hill. Summersett Hill is about 0.4 miles long with a average slope of about 8% and a maximum slope of 12%. I ran down the hill twice, starting at 21mph at the top. On one run I retarded the throttle fully and left the spark control in the normal driving position. On the second run I did the same except I retarded the spark fully. The maximum speed on the hill and the speed when I got to the bottom was slower with the spark lever fully retarded. Not a whole lot of difference but in many cases it could make the difference between needing to ride the brakes or just using the engine for braking.

Couple photos here and a video posted at:
http://youtu.be/ZWdPYrz60jY






I'm sticking with my updated driving instruction:


Jim


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Royce in Dallas TX on Monday, December 30, 2013 - 07:09 am:

Yes, retarding the spark on steep down hills helps keep the speed down without using your brakes.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By G.R.Cheshire on Monday, December 30, 2013 - 07:20 am:

Love the sophisticated GPS holding device, I usually just have my wife hold mine. ;)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen - Nebraska on Monday, December 30, 2013 - 07:27 am:

Jim,

Good idea for the test. Thank you for taking the time and effort,

Rob


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen - Nebraska on Monday, December 30, 2013 - 07:30 am:

Another test I would like to see (the coffee is kicking in now) would be on the flat, and putting the throttle up on one test, say at 30 mph, and them, on the same road at the same place, putting both the throttle and spark levers up, and see over a set distance, how much slower you are going when retarding spark and reducing throttle?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hal Davis-SE Georgia on Monday, December 30, 2013 - 07:47 am:

Rob,

I did that test last week, but only did two runs, so I did not ever post my results, thinking I would do something more scientific, but just haven't gotten around to it.

At 30 mph on fairly level ground, I simply closed the throttle and left the spark where it was. I coasted one block and checked my speed. It was 23 mph. We turned around and drove the same course again, this time retarding the spark in addition to closing the throttle. We got down to 18 mph at the same point.

Again, just one test under each condition is not scientific, (And Lord knows I've been accused of that on this forum before), so my intention was to do 5 or so runs under each condition and average the results. It was starting to rain the other day when we were doing this, so we opted to head on to the house before we got wet. I do believe the results would be similar, though.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen - Nebraska on Monday, December 30, 2013 - 07:51 am:

Hal,

Thank you. I think under a variety of scenarios (say one, two, three blocks) this would be quite interesting (and potentially important safety wise) testing. I appreciate you and Jim putting your info on the forum,

Rob


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Nathan Bright on Monday, December 30, 2013 - 10:22 am:

I have seen many do this with good results, however i must ask (I dont have a lot of T driving time as i am currently building my T) what is the risk of warping a valve with this method?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry VanOoteghem on Monday, December 30, 2013 - 10:53 am:

Nathan,

I would say the risk is nearly non-existent. You're only running fully retarded for a short while and not under power, so low heat.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Norman T. Kling on Monday, December 30, 2013 - 10:56 am:

How is your muffler? It shouldn't have any effect on the valves, because you are drawing in very little fuel, but what fuel does get in will burn after the valves are open and that is the reason for the popping in the exhaust system.
Norm


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Charlie B actually in Toms River N.J. on Monday, December 30, 2013 - 10:57 am:

Shouldn't you retard the spark at lower engine speeds any way? I do so as moderns do it automaticly.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dave Wells on Monday, December 30, 2013 - 11:04 am:

Another safety benefit is that while operating the throttle and steering wheel at the same, you could accidently whack the throttle open with your hand, causing you to lose control as the car charges ahead. It won't charge ahead very fast if the timing is already fully retarded.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hal Davis-SE Georgia on Monday, December 30, 2013 - 11:09 am:

Well....actually, the engine speed is still up there. I'm not sure how it works on a modern computer controlled one, but say on a centrifugal advance, it would come down slowly with the engine rpm. Vacuum advance may even do the opposite, as vacuum would be pretty high under a high rpm, closed throttle situation.

However, like Jerry and Norm said, I don't see there being a problem. I don't get popping in the exhaust when I do it, just a different engine sound.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Thode Chehalis Washington on Monday, December 30, 2013 - 12:47 pm:

It would be interesting to see how the timing is controlled in modern electrically controlled cars. I know that I tried our modern Toyota on this same hill and I was going about 50mph at the bottom of the hill. Maybe emissions control enter into the picture because the engine is likely not as efficient and pollutes more with the spark fully retarded when the engine is at speed.

It is interesting to note that some vacuum advance systems do actually fully retard the spark when the throttle is fully closed. It just depends on where the vacuum is picked up on the motor. Here is one thing I found, "This is called a ported signal. On a ported signal the vacuum is derived from a port that receives manifold vacuum next to the throttle plate. It is placed there in such a way that the throttle plate covers it over when you let off the accelerator pedal. This is an emissions device to lower emissions during idling. It also helps with engine braking and can help some with starting, especially when the engine is warm. There is more on that and timing in general here:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=504060

Charlie asked, "Shouldn't you retard the spark at lower engine speeds any way?" Yes, but if you followed that method in this test you would also advance the spark when then engine speed picked up on the downhill grade. The retarded spark seems to have a greater effect on braking at a greater speed. I just did not start over the hill faster because of a concern of getting too fast at the bottom. Maybe I could try starting over the hill at 30 or 35mph. Probably would be hitting 50+ at the bottom without any braking.

Jim


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By G.R.Cheshire on Monday, December 30, 2013 - 01:16 pm:

So what you are saying is "If your spark is fully retarded then you are igniting the fuel charge at a point before the piston reaches TDC (top dead center)this means the small fuel charge (closed throttle condition) is igniting and trying to send the piston back down before it gets to TDC but because of inertia from the weight of the rotating assembly the piston is driven through anyway causing a moderating effect on engine speed". GEE can I write a text book now?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By G.R.Cheshire on Monday, December 30, 2013 - 01:22 pm:

Wait a min. guys In printed form that translates Incorrectly that was supposed to be my attempt at humor I plagerized that line out of my notes from shop class in 1965


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Roar Sand on Monday, December 30, 2013 - 10:35 pm:

I seem to remember J. C. Whitney selling a manually operated exhaust diverter valve for exhaust whistles.
If the diverted port was blocked, it seems like it would work like an exhaust brake as used on diesel engines. I suppose one would have to open the throttle in order to build up significant back pressure and get retardation (diesels don't have throttle valves). That would put gas in the exhaust system and possibly blow out your muffler when one opened the valve again. Seems like I just killed my own idea,- but, for a looong hill,
one would have time to turn the mixture knob to closed position.
Just my brain cells running wild!
Roar


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Gruber- Spanaway, Wash. on Monday, December 30, 2013 - 10:41 pm:

I like to set the throttle down so slow the engine almost dies...and does once in a while.
That seems to do as much good as retarding spark.
I also retard the spark going down hills.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen - Nebraska on Tuesday, December 31, 2013 - 12:16 am:



1907 Ford Model K Operators Manual


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Allan Richard Bennett on Tuesday, December 31, 2013 - 12:32 am:

Rob Gruber touched on a subject with which I have some experience.

The 27 Tudor I imported from the USA came with the throttle setting which left the motor running at a good idle when the lever was pushed right up. Engine braking with that setting is far less efficient than it is if the fully closed throttle will kill the motor. I have my other Ts set up this way. Yes, I still sometimes get caught not giving them a little throttle when nearly stopped, but it does enable one to drive without undue reliance on the brake pedal.

I recall a long down hill drive in New Zealand behind a car in Ruckstel low, and having to constantly re-apply the brakes to keep my distance. With no idle speed, I think I could have stayed off the brakes altogether.

Your preferences may be different.

Allan from down under.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Thode Chehalis Washington on Tuesday, December 31, 2013 - 02:01 am:

Yes, adjusting the idle speed down to a very slow idle or even setting it so the engine will not run when the throttle lever is all the way up makes sense. Some diesels are just like that, to stop the engine just close down the throttle.

I've see some old (1910 +/-) driving instructions that recommend shutting off the ignition for maximum braking when descending hills. I have not tired it but it would seem that if there is still much gas being pumped through the engine that you would risk blowing up the exhaust system when the ignition is turned back on.

Here is one instruction for descending and steep hill (question 52):



Jim


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