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).
Headlamp control switches for 'C' series cars and urgent Bentley feature complaints regarding valve springs and clutch judder.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 30\2\ Scan360 | |
| Date | 3rd May 1934 | |
| (2) section as the previous series, and make an effort to bring on the controlled dampers at the second 100 cars of 'C' series. The material affected is to be held up for the 2nd 100 cars. In connection with this E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} said that it would be necessary to use the Bosch foot switch for operating the headlamp control, because the present steering column control operating the headlamps is utilised to control the dampers. A design is well in hand for a Rolls-Royce foot switch but it could not possibly be completed and tested in time for the 2nd 100 chassis of 'C' series. 'E' said that it was debatable whether we wished to make our own switch in preference to purchasing an outside article. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} stated that he liked the hand control of the headlamps and rather regretted departing from it in favour of foot control. There was no general agreement on this point and it was decided to go ahead with the existing design in view of the time element. It was noted that in view of there being no alternative switch available it will probably be necessary to use the Bosch switch as at present used on our other chassis. Minute No 2 Bentley features which require immediate attention. Wor{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} stated that he was worried about complaints which had been received from customers having Bentley cars and desired that everything possible should be done to remedy these complaints quickly. In his opinion the two outstanding complaints were valves dropping into the cylinder due to valve spring breakage and clutch judders causing transmission rattles. With regard to the former, E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} said that a design was available which could be applied very quickly and without causing appreciable scrap. It consists of a spring wire locking ring fitting in a groove in the valve and held in position by the top valve spring washer. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} said that this could and would be tested without loss of time on the test bed; road tests were not necessary. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} said this modification should be applied to all types of chassis immediately it is released by the Experimental Department. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} asked if double valve springs would prevent the occurrence. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} and Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} agreed that double valve springs would not help appreciably. It is possible to use a car having one valve spring broken without noticing it, | ||