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).
Article discussing the benefits of self-adjusting tappets for car engines and predicting their widespread adoption.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 96\2\ scan0281 | |
| Date | 17th January 1938 guessed | |
| *** Self-adjusting Tappets MY recent remarks on self-adjusting tappets or, rather, the lack of them on most cars, were apparently taken by several readers to mean that I was merely irritated by any slight tappet noise I may hear. True, I mentioned tappet noise, but I had far more important things in mind. Some five or six years ago I had in use a set of self-adjusting tappets made by Self-Adjusting Tappets, Ltd., of 12, Berkeley Street, W.1, and then learned that correct tappet adjustment not only removes "click," but makes all the difference in the world to the smooth running and easy starting of an engine. The results were astounding, and in these days of rubber-mounted engines would, I am sure, be even more noticeable on modern cars. That slight kick we get to-day when an engine is idling would disappear, and it could be run so slowly that the blades of the fan would be distinct instead of a blur. Knowing this, I am more than pleased to learn that, after six years of development, Self-Adjusting Tappets, Ltd., will shortly introduce to the public a new edition of the tappets I tried years ago, and at a very reasonable price, too. At the present time several British car manufacturers are trying them out, and from letters I have seen they appear to be highly delighted. I venture to prophesy that in a few years' time no car will be made that is not fitted with self-adjusting tappets of some sort, for I am sure we shall by then regard them as being quite as important as shock absorbers, windscreen wipers and indicators. [Cartoon] Self adjusting. *** Hinges | ||