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).
Customer complaints about engine vibration and piston knock, and the results of a demonstration.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 78\1\ scan0280 | |
| Date | 29th October 1919 | |
| COPY. R.{Sir Henry Royce} from EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to Bn.{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}12/W29.10.19. I have been able to get Sales Dept. and Mr.Johnson to accept as a satisfactory model the special chassis, fitted with a covered body, which we brought down from Derby on the 28th. inst. The car is fitted with split type pistons, and is lower than the standard low compression engine to the extent of a .1" liner being fitted under the cylinders. A demonstration was also made of the starting of the engine from cold, and they also considered that this was quite satisfactory. In making this demonstration the great point appears to be to get a definite understanding of exactly what their complaint is. Hence my anxiety to settle this job before I return. Although they were still able to find fault as regards engine vibrations on this car I have been able to persuade Mr.Johnson that a further test should be made on the same car with the liners referred to removed, so that the car is then a standard low compression car except that it is fitted with the split type pistons, and I have every hope that even with this compression the degree of vibration will not be so great as to warrant an alteration of our present standard of low compression car. There is no fault on this car as regards battery ignition and they seem to be quite pleased with the quietness, slow running, and flexibility of the engine. The two specific complaints are :- 1) Vibration when picking up. 2) Piston knocks when cold. If one is able to demonstrate all the noises and vibrations which do take place on the car and to pick out the actual vibration set up by the engine it is certainly a fact that the degreee of this vibration is not very great, but if it is a question of it being there or not, one must agree that it can be felt. I thank you for your wire with reference to the battery ignition and full advantage of this information has already been taken as far as it is practicable to apply it to this car and any other current cars which we are now [Text at bottom, upside down] R.R. LTD (L.O.) 1M. 19-4-19. C 876. (19) 2354 | ||