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).
Engine failure detailing a collapsed conrod bearing and subsequent repair efforts.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 82\3\ scan0303 | |
| Date | 17th May 1935 | |
| X202 HOTEL DE FRANCE CHATEAUROUX. Indre. France. 17th May 1935. To. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} From G.W.H. 5. B. IV. We have today sent you the following telegram :- " Number five conrod bearing collapsed crank journal " " damaged. Number four bearing locating pieces broken " " off. " We had commenced running this morning after fitting the new axle and generally going over the Car. The Car was running very well when a knock developed in the engine, the usual sound of a bigend bearing gone. We found upon dismantling the engine, that Number five conrod had shed all the bronze bearing and the steel liner had apparently fused on the crank journal and on to the conrod. Upon examining the remaining conrod bearings, we found that the locating pieces of number four conrod bearing had broken off but had remained in the grooves. The failure of number five is apparently through the same cause. The breaking off, of the locating pieces would allow the turning round of the loose bearings, cut off the oil supply and in a few moments the metal would be melted out. We are endeavouring to get the crankpins ground and the conrod so that we can fit the spare bearings we brought out. We had got the engine almost perfect with regards to periods, by getting a damper load of 27 lbs. There was only the slightest vibration at 3,600 and you had to keep the foot on the Clutch pedal to feel that. We have got cork discs in the damper which are very good. We are however up against the softness of the cork which flattens out with the pressure. We shall get over this in some way. We have taken the precaution to examine the frame for cracks the next thing we expect to go. We have sent you per parcel post, the bearing taken out of No 4 conrod together with the broken off locating pieces, and what remains of the shells of No 5 bearing. ----------- G.W.Hancock. G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} W. H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} | ||