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).
15,500 miles running and cooling tests for Engine Unit N° B.3 on a 3.B.IV. Bentley in France.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 82\5\ scan0152 | |
| Date | 2nd June 1937 | |
| 200a Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GWH{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}/IMW{Ivan M. Waller - Head of Chateauroux}/I/JAB. 2.6.37. Dodd, Waller, Martindale Wyman - Please note Pm To. -Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}: from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GWH{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}/IMW.{Ivan M. Waller - Head of Chateauroux} c. HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. I. c. By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. Dr. c. RHO. c. Wox. c. Gr.{George Ratcliffe} c. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. HPS.{Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr} c. GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} TESTS IN FRANCE. Specification of 3.B.IV. Bentley. To.HPS{Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr}/CP.5.8.10.12.22.23.24. & 26/2/37. Report on 15.500 Miles Running including 1.000 miles running by Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Std. on cooling tests and by Sr. in Paris. ENGINE UNIT N° B.3. Performance was good throughout. Acceleration from low speeds in top gear and maximum speed were both superior to 6.B.IV. Slight detonation was audible on pick-up at times, but was attributed to variations in the quality of the petrol used, as the engine was usually free from detonation. When received, the unit was very good standard for smoothness, and remained thus for 6.000 miles, after which the crank periods could be detected and the unit became somewhat rough at maximum speed. Periods and roughness when they developed were more noticeable with the standard engine mounting on this car than with the raised front mounting as fitted to 6.B.IV. The main and big end bearings were in excellent condition at the end of the mileage. The unit was reliable and the cylinder head and the sump were not removed during the mileage. | ||