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).
Engine failure on the GAU-48 Park Ward trials car due to a split pin breaking on the connecting rod bolt.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 130\1\ scan0007 | |
| Date | 3rd February 1933 | |
| c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} 8417 BY.15/G.3.2.33. RE: CHASSIS GAU-48. PARK WARD TRIALS CAR. ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO FATIGUE AND BREAKAGE OF SPLIT PIN FOR CONNECTING ROD BOLT. Referring to Hd{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy}/WW3/MW.3.2.33. it was quite evident that the failure is simply due to the split pin not being a tight fit in the connecting rod bolt. It is a precisely similar type of failure to those we experienced about a year ago on Kestrel supercharged engines, and the remedy which was applied to the aero engine was at the same time applied to all chassis. With regard to the information conveyed in Hd.{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy}2/MW.2.2.33. the only chassis which require attention are the 142 cars with the 1/16th split pin, easy fitting type. The second batch of 94, where a mild steel pin is used, but where the pin is a good fit in its hole, can be considered perfectly satisfactory. Now as to the question of whether we should deal with the 142 cars of the synchromesh type, fitted with easy fitting split pins, I am of the opinion that it is certainly desirable, as in the event of a customer running his engine at a high speed on third, the same trouble is likely to occur, and since the failure when it occurs is such a costly one I consider it is worth while trying to entirely eliminate it by getting in touch with the customers, and having their cars sent in to be dealt with as convenient in the near future. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Ry | ||