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).
Report from Chateauroux on the performance of a new sliding joint, crankcase pressure issues, and a dangerous garage door.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 5a\2\ 02-page274 | |
| Date | 3rd April 1930 | |
| To Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} From G.W.H. Hôtel de France Chateauroux. The new sliding joint fitted to the car is working fairly satisfactory. It managed to push the silencer back slightly during the first 300 miles. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} saw this. We have added a strengthening angle piece to the bracket holding the silencer, which appears to be sufficient as no further movement took place during the day's mileage. The sliding portion of the joint, could with advantage, be made longer to prevent any danger of the cross binding. We do not agree that the new scheme is as good as the one we fitted. We did not need any extra stays to hold our silencer and pipe, and our job is much cheaper to produce. We had completed 3.000 miles without the slightest sign of trouble. We are getting excessive crankcase pressure through the piston rings having worn, which is blowing a large quantity of oil out from the rear and front of crankcase. It is not causing any overoiling of pistons as the pressure is going past them. The only sign of smoke from the exhaust is after easing up from a hard run, for a few moments, and then opening up again. It is not then excessive. Our slow running tests is to prove whether oil is going down the valve guides, so far it has proved that we are quite O.K. in this respect. We are waiting your instructions re the finish of this job, the men are getting unsettled and want some definate period. I have had the Office built in the Garage which I spoke to you about also a tyre rack, the place now is very compact and business like. It will save its cost in a very short time as the room at the Hotel costs 140 per week, then there is half a day lost, when we arrive and when we finish packing and unpacking. there is also the feeling of having left all the troubles behind when youve left the Garage, so if there is any queries re the cost all this must be borne in mind. The bill for 4.750 francs has been paid direct by Paris. Re the Garage door, I hear Mr Delooze is quibbling re the cost, let me warn you very strongly that if any of the men here strain themselfs which is easily done whilst stooping, it will cost the Firm much more than what the door is worth apart from the fact that we expect to see it come crashing down any moment, it is split half way along the top G.W.H. [Handwritten note] Sliding joint is still OK after this mornings run | ||