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 G.W.H. to Hs. Derby reporting on a 20-HP test car, detailing issues with wing stays, an oil leak, and ride instability.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 11\2\ 02-page054 | |
| Date | 5th January 1929 | |
| To: Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Derby From: G.W.H. Hôtel de France, Châteauroux, Indre. January 5th. 1929 54 We wired you yesterday that the test was held up on the 20-HP. The four front wing stays, when examined, on the Wednesday night, were found to not have a solitary lug left on. We have had these welded with a stiffening plate at the back. They are now a good job, and the wings are firm. We have re-fitted the head lamps, but as far as the electrical control for dipping these it is an absolute failure. We started running on Thursday mid-night, and during yesterday's run lost a quantity of oil. This we found to be coming out of the timing case, past the fan pulley. We immediately knew what this meant, a too high a crank chamber pressure. This means either one or two things, firstly piston rings stuck, or secondly the crown of the pistons being burnt away by pre-ignition. We cannot ascertain either of these causes without dismantling the cylinder head. We do not wish to do this whilst the engine is running O.K. and to stop the leak of oil we are running without the crank chamber breather cap. This releases the pressure in the crank case, and prevents the oil leak. We shall continue like this until we can observe anything absolutely detrimental. We are now running with the front tyres at a pressure of 50 lbs. This stops 90% of the jellying, but naturally causes the front of the car to ride hard. We do not mind this so long as we can keep the front of the car steady. We shall be very pleased if you can let us know of any information re stopping the jellying, other than by the tyre pressures. G.W.H. G.W.Hancock | ||