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).
Testing of propeller shaft joints to prevent oil leakage, comparing washer materials and noting the need for a jointing solution.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 15\4\ Scan025 | |
| Date | 4th April 1929 | |
| To BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. to DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} 17340 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}2/LG12.4.29. PROPELLER SHAFT JOINTS. X7240 74549 We have been testing the oil holding properties of these joints on a rig. So far all the S.S. cars we have run on the road have leaked oil from these joints. Our test results shew us that no matter how well the joint is fitted, we cannot prevent oil leaks unless we use a jointing solution such as 'Heldtite'. This has to be generously applied to all the faces and to the locking plates under the nuts. Our limited experience so far has indicated that leather washers give us better results than felt washers. Possibly a chrome leather such as we used on the oil ignition relay would be most satisfactory. We think that the 20 HP. joint can be made leak-proof without much difficulty. The 40/50 HP. joint is a much more difficult proposition but we think that this can also be got right. All the faces will have to be a particularly good job, however. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||