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 detailing the repair history and condition of engine bearings from chassis B.179.AE.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 146\2\ scan0214 | |
| Date | 14th May 1937 | |
| Handwritten (pencil): Piles, 1243 To Bentley Motors Ltd. Derby ................Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} copy to .............Hd.{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy} Handwritten (red ink): Sewell Should like to see these bearings when available Pm Levallois Sr/VA4/GM.14.5.37 Re: CHASSIS B.179.AE - Mr.F.E. BLANC --------------------------------- Total mileage 90.318 Kms. The above car was sent to us last month for general repairs including overhauling the engine, for which the owner has naturally been charged. We are sending to you to-day the main bearings which we removed from the engine because in view of the mileage which this car has covered, we think that it will interest you to see them. We should mention that the owner is a speed merchant and also that this car is fitted with a II X 43 axle. We should also mention that we have in the past carried out the following work to the bearings:- 24. 1.35 - 24324 Kms. Fitted a set of conn. rods with lead bronze bearings. 15. 1.36 - 52522 Kms.- While carrying out a R.20 engine clean, we examined the lower halves of the main bearings as three of the intermediate's were found to be in a poor and cracked condition, we removed the engine from the frame and changed the intermediate bearings & reduced the liners of the remainder. The front,central & rear bearings were found to be OK. You will therefore observe from the above that the front,central & rear bearings had covered 90.318 Kms. and the intermediates 37.796 Kms. We examined the lead bronze bearings for wear after a mileage of 65.994 Kms. The surface of some of them were very finly pitted or to use a French term "légèrement granuleuse". We reduced the liners of each lead bronze bearing by .001". Apart from the above the bearings were OK. There appears to be no doubt about it that lead bronze bearings fitted to big ends stick up to their job. We attach a report upon the condition in which we found the crankshaft. We had the main journals re-ground and then had the crankshaft re-nitrurated by Messrs. Aubert & Duval. Sr/VA.VA. | ||