Engine failure caused by loose piston gudgeon pins resulting in scored cylinders.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 82\1\ scan0031 | |
| Date | 1st March 1933 | |
| X4853A To Hs {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} From GWH. {George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} Hotel de France Chateauroux(French test region) Indre 1.3.33. BENSPORT(Codename for 3 1/2-litre Bentley) We decided after listening to the blow past the pistons into the crankchamber to dismantle and ascertain the cause. We found that the locking rings of the gudgeon pins had played havoc with the pistons through working loose. We therefore thought it would be the best policy to send F. {Mr Friese} Dodd with the pistons so that you could see first hand the trouble as it would be no use fitting similar pistons. We therefore telegraphed: SENDING DODD WITH PISTONS TAKEN OUT OF BENSPORT(Codename for 3 1/2-litre Bentley). Hancock, N° 6 and 5 cylinders are rather badly scored. I do not know wether you will wish to continue running with this block or not. GWH. {George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} | ||
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).