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 A.H.R. Fedden regarding clutch wear and axle ratio adjustments for his car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 89\2\ scan0137 | |
| Date | 18th November 1935 | |
| X261b Exptl. Dept. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}25/KW. 18th November,1935. A.H.R. Fedden, Esq., The Bristol Aeroplane Co.Ltd., Filton House, BRISTOL. Dear Fedden, I hear from Mr. Cowen that you are having trouble with your clutch. It seems to me that what has happened is that the clutch has worn until the pedal came up against the boards, as you point out, and the subsequent slipping tore up the surface of the driven member. We can understand that you did not at first observe that the pedal was up against the boards, as it is a very easy thing to miss. The fact that the clutch is wearing rapidly now indicates that the centre plate is in bad shape and we shall have to renew it. I think that when we have replaced it you will have no further trouble as long as you watch the pedal and adjust before you hit the boards. There is one point in connection with your car which makes the work for the clutch more arduous; you have I believe still got the 11/43 axle ratio, which we recommended with the cycle type front wings. This axle ratio means that both bottom and particularly second gear are higher than standard, so that it is necessary to use a little more throttle in order to get away. This is particularly so when starting on second speed, the ratio which I personally always use. From our experience it is almost impossible to over-rev. the engine on top gear with the standard 10/41 rear axle if conventional type wings are fitted. We would therefore suggest that unless you particularly like the high gear ratio, when we attend to your clutch we should fit the 10/41 axle. | ||