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).
Weight analysis and comparison for the projected Phoenix engine unit.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 111\2\ scan0227 | |
| Date | 27th August 1937 | |
| SECRET To Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} PHOENIX UNIT We have been getting out a weight analysis of the projected Phoenix unit. Owing to the fact that this has been designed so that it can be converted into a 4 1/4 litre, it is naturally heavier than it would be if designed specifically as a 3 1/2 litre only. With a high power head in aluminium it is almost exactly the same weight as our present Bentley unit, with a present standard type of head in cast iron 33 lbs. heavier. We have taken advantage of all weight reductions that we know of, except that we have kept to the present standard Bentley clutch and flywheel inertia. If we use the Oldsmobile clutch and flywheel we save another 30 lbs. We shall certainly have to try this on Phoenix where weight is going to be important. Our fear is that we may run into over-run rattles in the transmission. It would be ridiculous to take weight off the flywheel and then to put it back in a more expensive form as a propeller shaft damper. On the other hand, the Oldsmobile has cast iron pistons and its transmission seems to be free from this trouble. However, we shall know more about it when we try this car after it has completed some mileage in France. We do not see why the Phoenix electrical system should be any heavier than that fitted to the Vauxhall. We have not, however, assumed any weight reduction on this section in this analysis. There is about 12 lbs. to be saved by following American practice. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||