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).
On the failure of connecting rod bolts in Bentley test bed units, mandating a strict replacement procedure.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 85\3\ scan0096 | |
| Date | 1st January 1935 | |
| To T. Salt. From Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c.c. to R.{Sir Henry Royce} Matthews. c.c. to L. Smith. c.c. to RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} BENTLEY TEST BED UNITS. We have now had three test bed units completely smashed up owing to failure of the connecting rod bolts. A set of bolts cannot be expected to run more than 50 Hrs. under 4000 RPM. full throttle work. It is therefore necessary before doing any endurance running to check the running time of the big end bolts and have them replaced if their useful life has been exceeded. Even if these bolts have done less than 50 Hrs. they should be replaced if they have been taken up and down a number of times as when this is done they are likely to be stretched. In the case of any future engine failure from this cause the tester in charge will be held responsible. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||