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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).
5,000-mile performance report on the 18-EX. S.S. engine and its components.

Identifier  WestWitteringFiles\T\2January1929-June1929\  Scan008
Date  1st January 1929 guessed
  
R Bj. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} WOR.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}

To: "Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}"
From: G.W.Hancock

Hôtel de France,
Châteauroux,
Indre.

Report on 18-EX. S.S.

5,000 miles

ENGINE S.S. N° 7
The performance of the engine has been very good. The torque reaction is noticeable, but we do not consider it to be any worse than the present Standard Phantom, it has not altered during the present mileage periods of the crankshaft are hardly noticeable, a different setting of the slipper wheel would probably be beneficial, as there are signs of the gallopping knock, there is very little detonation providing that the ignition lever is not left fully advanced during acceleration from low speeds. There are distinct signs of pre-ignition. The engine will keep on running after a long run when switched off.

LUBRICATION OF CYLINDERS.
We have had no signs of over lubrication, internal conditions cannot be seen.

VALVES AND FITTINGS. TO L.O.P. E.77652. N.S.IIOI.
ROCKER SHAFTS TO DRG. V.453. OIL RESTRICTION PLUGS FITTED IN ROCKERS TO DRG. V.4IO. VALVE SPRINGS E.78071.
The valve clearances at the beginning of the test was set to an easy .005" and a tight .006" with the engine cold. When checked they were as follows:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
.004" .003" .005" .010" .007" .004" .006" .007" .003" .001" .007" .001"
There has been a period valve noise at approx. 30 M.P.H. N° 12 was the worst. The clearance of this valve was decreased on the road to overcome the noise. We are not experiencing any trouble with the valves being open after a long run, the lubrication appears to be ample. There is very little sign of exhaust smoke after running engine slow for 10 minutes. The warming up period does not appear so pronounced for tappet noise as the present Phantom.

FILTER IN ENGINE SUMP.
There was very little fluff and dirt on the filter when taken out.

PISTONS. TO L.O.P.E.78563 L.E.C.2578 E.78440.
There is a distinct knock from N° 5 piston when cold, after warming up no knocks are audible.

IGNITION PLUGS LODGE DETACHABLE.
We have had no distinct failing of the plugs, but when taken out they showed distinct signs of being too hot. There was very little carbon deposit, and no plug showed any sign of oiling up.

ENGINE GEARS.
Engine gears were distinctly noisy when the test was first started. During the test they have improved and we should now say that they are quite passable.

VACUUM PUMP TO L.O.P.E 77660. SILENCER FITTED ON RELEASE SIDE OF PUMP.
  
  


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