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).
Piston specifications, a potential order for Aerolite pistons, and a query on Ford's cyanide hardening process.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 170\2\ img171 | |
| Date | 3rd November 1933 guessed | |
| -2- and they have stood up remarkably well. Our standard piston weighs 15 1/4 ozs. and cracks across the gudgeon pin boss if subjected to this treatment. The Aerolite piston (Light Production Co's piston) weighs 18 1/2 ozs. and almost all the additional weight, as you will see, is concentrated around the gudgeon pin boss. We think, however, that at speeds up to 4500 r.p.m. this latter piston could be made to weigh not more than 16 1/4 ozs. We would point out that for the size of piston we consider that the gudgeon pin is small, and we are stepping it up to 1" diameter in the immediate future. If your people would like a set of Aerolite pistons to suit your 12 cylinder engine, and will foot the bill, I will arrange to get a set made, if you will send me your existing drawings. It will necessitate a new die, and 24 pistons would probably cost you 50/- each. In view of your remarks, I am postponing my visit until immediately after Christmas, so that I should arrive in America before the New York Show. Perhaps if you are at the New York Show you could arrange to come back to Detroit with me in the Bentley. Can you tell me anything about Cyanide hardening. The Ford people use it over here and attached is a report from our chemist on a synchromesh gear they gave me, and also comments on it by Bailey. Considering the Ford gearbox seems to stand up rather well, I am not sure that 'By's criticisms are justified, but should like to have your opinion. Kind regards to Mrs. Olley, and Sedholm & Thompson. Yours sincerely, | ||