Damaged flywheel gear rings, comparing figures, and attributing potential causes for the failures.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 8\1\ 01-page22 | |
| Date | 2nd December 1936 | |
| Rm. {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c-to Hr. c-to Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} /Smth. c-to Hr. c-to Pkr. c-to Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} /Smh. c-to E. {Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c-to Hdy. {William Hardy} L. Smith. 10559 612 Can you now let me have your views as to what to do on Wraith. Rm. {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Re FLY-WHEEL GEAR RINGS. 1. With reference to Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} /Smthll/R.1.12.36., we think it is now clear that the difference in the statements as to the quantities of damaged flywheels as between N. and ourselves, is because our figures include both G.51212, flywheels and G.55793. The design is the same except for the crankshaft bolt holes and the internal serrations. This embraces both 20 HP. and 20/25 HP. which are of exactly similar design. This was explained at some length to Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} /Smth. when discussing this question on the telephone, i.e., that these figures were in respect of all cars on the road. Also, the fourth paragraph of Hd {Mr Hayward / Mr Huddy} /SB {Mr Bull/Mr Bannister} 10/HR. 15.9.36., shows that the figure of 100 gear rings used annually covers 20 HP. cars as well. Referring only to 20/25 HP. cars, the total number of gear rings used annually is 30. We have a record of only one Bentley requiring a new flywheel. 2. Ten 20/25 HP. cars had to be dealt with under Guarantee. 3. We attribute these cases to either (a) Faulty engagement of the pinion due to Ferodo dust. (b) Defective starter motor drive; for instance, tightness on the worm. (c) Excessive use of the starter motor. This, of course, in certain cases may be abnormal due to the conditions of use. -continued- | ||
From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).