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 R.C. Cross regarding tests on an experimental engine using an adapted Austin Eighteen car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 158\4\ scan0157 | |
| Date | 18th June 1937 | |
| CROSS ROTARY VALVE PATENTS. PROPRIETORS: R.{Sir Henry Royce} C. CROSS AND THE CROSS MANUFACTURING Co., LTD. [Stamp: THE SOCIETY OF MOTOR MANUFACTURERS & TRADERS LTD] R.{Sir Henry Royce} C. CROSS, 33 MIDFORD ROAD, COMBE DOWN, BATH. TELEPHONE COMBE DOWN 355. 18th June, 1937. W. A.{Mr Adams} Robotham, Esq., Messrs. Rolls-Royce Ltd., Derby. Dear Sir, I acknowledge with thanks your letter of the 14th instant and I am in agreement with you that it is desirable for you to make some tests on existing material before considering the question of embarking upon an experimental engine of your own. Having this in mind myself I had fully intended bringing to you the Austin Eighteen car, which I am at present adapting, as previously arranged with your staff. This adaptation is not yet complete and I am still held up for the delivery of certain parts but I am hoping to start the work of assembling during the next fortnight and will bring the car to you as soon as we have got it working satisfactorily. It must be understood, however, that whilst I anticipate that this car will have a good and pleasing performance together with smoothness and good torque at the low end, yet I do not anticipate that it will be absolutely quiet in operation owing to the difficulty of adapting the valve drive to an engine not designed for the purpose; I think, however, it will be reasonably quiet. I note the remarks in the last paragraph of your letter and it is possible with this type of valve gear to provide for the best m.e.p.s to come within any reasonable range of revolution desired. I further note your remarks about using high compression ratio on commercially obtainable fuel with satisfactory results over long periods, and had I not had experience of the remarkable characteristics of these engines in this connection, I would also have held your views. -1- | ||