Steering alterations and an investigation into high oil temperatures, including test data.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 11\5\ 05-page061 | |
| Date | 17th April 1934 | |
| To Hs {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} /Rm. {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} From G.W.H. Hotel de France, Chateauroux(French test region), FRANCE. 17.4.34. 28-EX. STEERING. We have almost got the steering as good as the Bentley. We have obtained this by alterations to the side steering tube. The front end we have packed the springs up allowing only 0.100" deflection on each spring, still keeping the initial load standard. The pendulum end we are allowing .3125" deflection of the springs as shewn by sketches. HIGH OIL TEMPERATURES. We are getting on the track of high oil temperatures on this car. There are three reasons, and for the moment we will place them in the following merit:- (1) Too high an efficiency of the radiator, for the following reasons:- With an air temperature of 30°C at a speed of 70 M.P.H. the radiator shutters are approx. half closed. Under these conditions we are not getting a sufficient volume of cool air under the bonnet to absorb the heat given off by the cylinders and exhaust. Opening or closing the bonnet shutters does not have much effect under these conditions, as there is not the flow of air to release. If we "choc" the shutters open an immediate difference is noted in the oil temperature, and bonnet temperature, also water. This being the case, first we do not want to reduce the efficiency of the radiator, but we want more air flowing under the bonnet. To obtain this we are going to try what many French cars are doing. The front ventilators to open to the wind, to act as scoops. The radiator then takes care of the water temperature, and the scoops the exhaust temperature. The figures given are the result of road tests, further tests are to follow. With Radiator Shutters Operating. AIR TEMP. OIL TEMP. WATER TEMP. REAR UNDER BONNET TEMP. 30°C .. 98°C .... 77°C .... 64°C 30°C .. 96°C .... 76°C .... 66°C 30°C .. 89°C .... 75°C .... 66°C | ||
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).