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).
Letter from Ethyl Export Corporation discussing the condition of a Phantom engine valve and promoting the use of leaded fuel.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 17\6\ Scan184 | |
| Date | 6th February 1934 | |
| CABLEGRAMS: ETHYLPORT, LONDON. TELEGRAMS: ETHYLPORT, CHURTON. X7060 ETHYL EXPORT CORPORATION Incorporated in the State of Delaware U.S.A. with limited liability. ABFORD HOUSE, VICTORIA LONDON, S.W.1 Telephone: VICTORIA 5 5 2 0 PERSONAL. Head Office: 135 EAST 42ND STREET NEW YORK, U.S.A. 6th February, 1934. A.{Mr Adams} C. Lovesey Esq., Rolls Royce Ltd., Nightingale Road, DERBY. Dear Lovesey, With reference to the valve you gave me when I was last at Derby, taken from the "Phantom" engine which drives the "Kestrel" superchargers; looking at the life of this valve from another angle, its condition would not appear to be so very bad, particularly in view of the fact that the engine has probably not been overhauled for some time. You mentioned that the "Phantom" engine was producing about 50 B.H.P. to drive the superchargers. This would give a "Phantom" car a cruising road speed of about 40 M.P.H. In this case, therefore, the valves have done the equivalent of 19,000 miles without being touched. In my opinion, this is not so bad, and I do not think from the examination of the valve, that the condition of the seat is entirely due to the action of lead, but even assuming that it is, there are very few cars that would show a good set of valves after this distance and at that average speed over the whole period. This letter is a-propos of nothing, but I thought you might like to hand it over to the motor car side, as we are very keen to get Rolls-Royce cars and Bentleys on to 'lead'!! Kindest regards, Yours sincerely, [Signature: FRBanks] FRB/WNT | ||