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).
Ongoing issues and practices concerning American-style clutch oil valves.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\K\August1923\ Scan28 | |
| Date | 29th August 1923 | |
| TO GJ. FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} c.c. to BJ. HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c.c. to EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} EY. RE. AMERICAN PRACTICE. CLUTCH OIL VALVES. x 3598 (1) These have been fitted by RR. for over 16 years. (2) We are now told they cause no end of trouble. (3) We know the worsteds can be fitted so tightly as to pass only a very small quantity of oil. (4) We think since they can be fitted to give from too much oil to too little for the clutch, they are better than nothing. (5) Since the risk has been taken and the confusion has been created there is little to gain in going back, proving we have not to trust to hand oiling, as suggested by HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Derby experiments. (6) I do not want to unreasonably stand in the way of a practice which experience has found to be more satisfactory although it is not my habit of trusting to such chance lubrication as is being relied upon in this case. (7) My difficulty is that HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} report does not agree with Springfield. (8) The bushes might be made of graphite bronze or lead bronze, when they would be less liable to seize. The spigot pin might also be casehardened. These two should make the risk of seizing much less remote. (9) It is possible that the clutches are now more oil retaining, and it should also be remembered that a screwed plug was fitted in the flywheels to let out any excess of oil if the clutch slipped, and that it can be run with this plug removed. (10) Since Springfield is so emphatic on the difficulties of fitting, and benefit of doing away with this device, I agree, but it is not my personal suggestion or advice, and we shall not at Derby hurriedly follow Springfield practice. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||