Quantities, designs, and reasons for failure of fly-wheel gear rings.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 8\1\ 01-page20 | |
| Date | 2nd December 1936 | |
| Hm. {Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} c to Ha. c to Hm {Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} /Smth. c to Hi. c to R-W. (struck through) c to Hy {Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} /Cmr. c to F.C.P. c to Hdy. {William Hardy} L.F.SMITH 1644 612 HA/SB {Mr Bull/Mr Bannister} 10/MR.2.12.36. re FLY-WHEEL GEAR RINGS. 1. With reference to Hm {Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} /SmtHl/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 R. {Sir Henry Royce} 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 Hm {Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} /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 HA/SB {Mr Bull/Mr Bannister} 10/MR. 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).