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).
Valve spring issue on Phantom cars, a customer complaint, and the proposed solution of fitting heavier springs.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 66a\2\ scan0100 | |
| Date | 1st June 1929 | |
| To BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. to WOr.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} Ep.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} c. to Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} X8060 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/LG10. 6. 29. About 18 months ago we got out some springs for the Phantom which increased the silence of the valve gear at high speeds. These springs also put up the bouncing speed of the valves by 5/6 m.p.h. They were subsequently standardised for the SS.{S. Smith}, but it appears they were not fitted to the Phantom cars. The piece number of the present Phantom spring is E.70442 which we believe is interchangeable with the improved spring E.78071. As we have received a direct complaint from EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} that Salamanca has made an objection that his valves come off their seats at 71 m.p.h., we think that a set of heavier springs should be supplied to cure this complaint. We also think that these heavier springs should be fitted in every case where the purchaser is known to be at all interested in the performance of the car. We presume that it is far too late to do anything with regard to the last Phantoms on production. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||