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).
Examination of a Packard clutch plate and gearbox, comparing it to other American and Hawk-Northcliffe clutches.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 127\1\ scan0115 | |
| Date | 6th December 1920 | |
| R.R. 386A (100 T) (S.H 159. 11-8-20) G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} 2800 X435 To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/TMW. c. to CJ. c. to Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/TMW2/LG6.12.20. X.435. RE CLUTCH PLATE AND GEARBOX. X.1223. X.964. With reference to your R7/G25.11.20. We took the "Packard" clutch to pieces when we were running the engine on the Test Bed and a sketch was made of its principal features. We are sending this herewith for reference. With regard to wear, Mr. Royce's suspicion is quite correct, and although no wear was noticeable on the teeth of the outer clutch plates/there were grooves in the keys (which are rivetted on inside the clutch member as shown on sketch) where the teeth had been rubbing. This is thenonly American plate clutch we have examined as yet, but shall take the opportunity of doing so on the Marmon and other American cars expected. We have examined the Hawk-Northcliffe plate clutch and we are unable to find any undue wear at this point, and naturally, with the universal joints embodied on the shaft between engine and gearbox, one would not expect it. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/TMW. | ||