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).
Remedies for transmission knock and uneven engine firing, including ignition systems and fuel quality.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\G\June1921\ Scan11 | |
| Date | 1st June 1921 | |
| To R.R. of America Inc. from R.{Sir Henry Royce} -5- R10/G8/6/21 Contd. then I suggest that the next thing to do is to fit shock dampers or Gabriel snubbers, either of which will tend to steady the body, and so make the riding on certain roads more comfortable, and at the same time stop to some extent the transmission knock which arises from this speed variation. We think all future cars should be fitted with one of these devices. The other cause of knock in the transmission is due to the uneven firing of the engine. I am suggesting under various headings, the ways and means of reducing the tendency for this to happen. It will be understood, however, that we do not expect the engine to run faultlessly at very slow speeds and light charges on the magneto, whether it be a Watford or any other make, the reason being that the magneto is arranged to fire the plugs which are in the intermediate position. It is imperative then to persuade owners that they should also use their battery ignition as well as their magneto, because they are also less liable to stop their engine, and the economy of gasoline by using a double ignition is quite marked. The small amount of current used by this ignition should not be of any consequence to the people who have a fair amount of daylight running. Anyway, provision should be made for supplying sufficient current that this ignition is never stopped for economy of current. Mr. Platford will be able to investigate the question of uneven firing. It requires good carburation, good distribution sufficiently warm engine; and above all, satisfactory ignition plugs, which will remain free from soot and burn themselves clean in spite of the bad petrol. RUNNING DOWN OF THE BATTERY. We have no objection to you using a Westinghouse or (contd.) [Handwritten notes] [Left margin]: x699 x3129 [Below 'bad petrol']: X4165 X 4211 x 294 X 664 X 1402 | ||