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).
From France detailing vehicle issues including fuel regulations, valve settings, brake problems, and crankshaft period adjustments.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 82\2\ scan0100 | |
| Date | 22th July 1934 | |
| X4553a To HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/RM.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} From G.W.H. 4 B IV. Hotel de France, Châteauroux. Indre. France. 22nd July 1934. We have received your memo of the 20/7/34. We have enquired about the use of Ethyl and cannot get any knowledge of its use. Sr. told us definitely that it was not allowed in this country, and that the government had not as yet passed a law for its use. We note your comments re valve setting; we will therefore reset our valves to .004 and .003. We also note that Grylls is bringing out 21 G 1V. We have held 4 B IV up to make a general examination. The OS front and rear brakes were smothered in oil; the front through a banjo being left loose, whilst the rear was due to a bad leak of oil down the shaft and the drain hole not draining it away. The levers on the front equalising shaft were set too far forward with the result that only half the leverage was being used. HALF CRANKSHAFT PERIOD. We have dismantled the slipper wheel and taken out the Ferobestos friction washer as we could not obtain the necessary poundage. They state in the specification that the setting was 18lbs. this must have been a dry friction, as the most we can get is 14lbs. easy slip with the springs practically choc-a-bloc. We have therefore fitted cotton duck washers and got a friction load of 19lbs. This on the first run out has entirely cured the half crankshaft period, also the period at 3750. The engine is free from any marked periods. There is a little roughness that can be felt on the pedal, but not otherwise. The brakes are improved, but we have still not got the braking with that light load on the pedal. The car is running well generally. We have fitted the intermediate silencer sent out. The Boon is still there, but is very much sharper and less duration. On the road you are through it almost without noticing it. There is no difference in the design, it is just a matter of variation in the building up. G.W.Hancock G.W.H. | ||