VIII
THE FORD MUFFLER
Q. Why is the muffler necessary?
A. The exhaust as it comes from the engine through the exhaust pipe would create a constant and distracting noise were it not for the muffler. From the comparatively small pipe, the exhaust is liberated into the larger chambers of the muffler, where the force of the exhaust is lessened by expansion and discharged out of the muffler with practically no noise. The Ford muffler construction is such that there is very little back pressure of the escaping gases, consequently there is nothing to be gained by putting a cut-out on the exhaust pipe between the engine and the muffler.
Q. How is the muffler kept in order?
A. It should be cleaned occasionally. Remove it and take off nuts on ends of rods which hold it together, and disassemble.
In reassembling muffler, be careful not to get the holes in the inner shells on the same side or end.
Q. How is the muffler disconnected?
A. To disconnect the muffler it is not necessary to disconnect the exhaust pipe from the motor (although it is a good plan and a simple matter, necessitating only unscrewing the union). To disconnect muffler from frame, unscrew union at formed end of pipe, drop it down so it will clear the frame and slip it back off the tube. If the muffler from any cause becomes materially damaged it will probably be cheaper to replace it with a new one than to attempt to repair it.