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).
Failures and remedies for starter motor drives, petrol tanks, and radiators.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 47\2\ Scan437 | |
| Date | 8th December 1930 | |
| Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/GWH{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}1/MJ.8.12.30 -4- think that as we have had a 100% job with this joint, slight irregularities may be taking place in the fitting up of the joints which could be avoided. An air release valve has been suggested to prevent damage to leathers by oil gun when the plug is forgotten. Item (15) Starter Motor Drives. 20 HP. We have thoroughly gone into the recurrent failures of the old type starter motor and we recommend that Depots should if possible with cars out of the guarantee, recommend the owners to have the present standard starter fitted. We have got out the charges which we think would be reasonable. The car not out of guarantee L. to M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} series, special attention is being paid to the cork washers fitted and in the storing of same to be kept in a damp atmosphere to preserve them ina soft condition. The drying up of the corks is the chief trouble. With the present 25 HP. we have found that with the increased bore and compression the main spring is slightly too weak and slipping occurs when starting up the engine from dead cold. This can be rectified by fitting a spring D.51544 which is 15% stronger and from tests carried out gives sufficient load. We have instructed By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} to fit these springs on future cars. Depots to have a supply to fit on any car with a complaint. Phantom II. With the assistance of Mr. Brock we traced a failure to be due to the floating bush at the pinion end. The armature revolved with the bearing slightly seized on the shaft. To overcome this failure a new oiling scheme is being tried out which does not allow the oil to escape while the motor is standing. The chief faults we have come across have been dirty commutators and slight rough bearings. Every care is being taken in building up the starter. Previous troubles were due to the buffer spring. This has been dealt with under Depot Sheet 165. Item (16) Petrol Tank Leaks. No progress made. We have not been able to get details of any failure. Item (17) Radiator Leaks. No report from Archer. Sft.{Mr Swift} reports that leaks were caused due to the suspension fouling the cradle on the chassis frame on 87-GY and 32-GY. There were two at Cricklewood with the seams leaking in the top tank. Progress has been made in the soldering of the seam of the stainless steel tanks and we are informed that no further complaints should arise. | ||