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).
Letter discussing oiling system failures and proposed tests on 20-HP and S.S. cars.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 27\1\ Scan005 | |
| Date | 18th January 1929 | |
| Y3806 To: Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} From: G.W.H. Hôtel de France, Châteauroux, Indre. January 18th. 1929. We have received your letters of the 15/1/29. We have telegraphed to you this morning:"One failure only on 20-HP. Chief trouble failure of soldered joints central oiling scheme. Rear spring shackles on SS{S. Smith}/oiled, reporting." There is no need to be concerned about the central lubrication generally. On the 20-HP car we have only come across one failure throughout the car. We do not count the brake pedal a failure, as this was caused through bad fitting. The one failure was the n/s front shackle pin, the bottom pin in the spring had received a small amount of oil but not sufficient. The hole in the shackle did not correspond fully with the hole in the pin. We should recommend that as far as possible the supplying hole be counter-sunk so as to give a better chance for inaccuracies in machining. On the S.S. we have not found one Bijur choked (except during the test, one that was found on the front of the o/s rear spring). This was changed and the present one is O.K. We can give you later full details of what each Bijur is passing, they have all been tested in position. The rear shackles on the S.S., which you thought were starved, were we have found, n/s rear shackle anchorage film of oil not plentiful, spring pin oiled but on short side. If all parts were in the same condition there would be nothing to fear. The o/s shackle anchorage pin was beautifully oiled, spring pin good film of oil. These showed no signs of oil on the outside. The Bijurs feeding these points were passing two drops per minute instead of four. These should be increased to eight drops per minute, as they are at the extreme end of the system. We cannot get the S.S. rear brake mud-guards off here with tackle at our disposal, it means pulling the brake anchorage hubs off the axle tubes. We certainly require new ones before carrying out any tests as you propose. The car is at present dismantled, minus gear box, body, front axle, exhaust pipe, all Bijur pipes, etc. It will take another week before the car is in a running condition, that is if we receive the parts from Derby. We are getting the rear wing painted here (cellulosed). The photos can be taken as soon as car is ready. The Ford Mobileil E we find to be very good for the Bijur lubrication and is not affected by the cold to a great extent as is the engine oil. It will have to be a rule that either this oil or similar oil be used during the winter months. The 20-HP we think should return to Derby on completion of mileage. The engine is useless in its present condition. Mr. has asked for Cave, Dean and Jackson. I can spare these men if the 20-HP returns to Derby. Can you let me know whether Crofts or Hill is needed by the Repair Dept. so that I can arrange what men to keep. G.W.H. | ||