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).
The performance of Wakefields Castrol 'R' Oil in experimental car engines and gearboxes.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 32\3\ Scan032 | |
| Date | 22th July 1920 | |
| S.S. 584a (100 T) (S.G. 645. 10-2-20) G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} 2618 To Ep.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to EH. c. to R.F.C X.1583 E C RECEIVED JUL 22 1920 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}2/LG22.7.20. X.1583 RE. CASTROL OIL FOR CAR ENGINES. X.1434 For the last 12 months we have been running our Experimental Cars using Wakefields Castrol "R" Oil throughout. It has been quite successful and we know that it is a much better lubricant than Prices' oil which is about 95% mineral. Before, however, we recommend this oil to our customers, we should like the Shop Cars at Derby and Trials Cars in London to use it. When used in the engine we have found no disadvantage. One distinct advantage in it is the fact that Castrol oil will not mix with petrol so that when the engine is started up cold and there is excess of petrol, the oil is not washed off the cylinder walls. When used in the gearbox, owing to the fact that it is a lower viscosity, it may tend to increase the noise from slack sideshaft. The advantage with it in the gearbox is the fact that it never becomes thick and that on the coldest day it is easy to change gear as soon as the car is started up. X.3532. We do not advise using Castrol oil for the axle unless the axles have the oil retaining baffles fitted to them. These baffles are only just being put on to the axles as standard. Cars without these fitted should use the ordinary standard gear oil. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||