Issues and proposed alterations for the Wraith Radiator Steam Valve on 'B' series cars and onward.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 9\3\ 03-page123 | |
| Date | 14th November 1938 | |
| 640 To By. {R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} from Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} /Std. c. RHC. {R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} /Std.2/MH. {M. Huckerby} 14.11.38. WRAITH RADIATOR - STEAM VALVE - 'B' SERIES AND ONWARD. Wraith 'B' series cars and onwards are fitted with a steam valve to PD.216 and after running this scheme for some time on two experimental cars we have had three slight troubles. Firstly, it is difficult to get the valve to seat well owing to poor machining finish on the internal portion of the valve body. Secondly, the stainless steel ball has corroded. Thirdly, the clearance of the spring EW.1894 in the plug KB.1063 is too small with the result that a certain amount of rust, corrosion from ball etc. has coated the spring and jammed it in the plug, thus preventing the valve opening. To overcome these defects will you please instruct the following alterations:- (1) On 'B' series cars, drill out the plug bore to .391 dia. - on 'C' series and future cars reduce the spring to .344 outside diameter, retaining the present loading of course, and use standard plug KB.1063. (2) On 'B' series and future cars change the ball for one of Staybrite or other uncorrodible material - we are at the moment in touch with the manufacturers about this. (3) In the case of the remainder of 'B' series, 'C' series and future cars, steps should be taken to ensure that the machining of the seating of the steam valve is at least as good as that on other ball valves on the chassis (say the oil relief valve) - in view of the fact that we do not depend on the steam valve to prevent water loss, we do not think it necessary to individually test each steam valve. | ||
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).