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 to The Light Production Co. Ltd. regarding piston dimensions, weight reduction, and core boxes.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 148\1\ scan0232 | |
| Date | 22th January 1940 | |
| File 1256 Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/CTS.{C. Trot Salt - Carburation}3/BA. 22nd January, 1940. The Light Production Co.Ltd., 60/66 Rochester Row, WESTMINSTER.S.W.1. For the attention of Mr. Riley, Dear Sirs, With reference to your letter dated 17th.January. The three pistons mentioned namely, P.466; P.312. and PL.78 we confirm, should have the same dimension of 2.300 from gudgeon pin to crown, and we note that the weight will be increased accordingly, by virtue of the fact that you will use existing core boxes. We are very anxious to reduce the weight of our pistons, and to do this we shall need all the help you can give. In view of this we suggest that before you bring the core box question in line with production requirements, we should endeavour to arrive at a lighter piston all round. You already have this in hand as a separate issue. We would like to point out that the first 3½ litre Bentleys to leave our Derby factory, were fitted with our own split-skirt pistons, which weighed 16.2 ozs. At a later stage, we went over to Aerolite, which weighed 17.2 ozs. Further to this we are continually looking at the original split pistons fitted to the original Bentley chassis, which are still doing good service, and we have never had a failure. With reference to the last paragraph of your letter, the pistons mentioned have only just come to hand. Yours faithfully, for ROLLS-ROYCE LIMITED. | ||