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).
Cold starting issues on a Phantom III car, attributing the problem to engine oil and comparing performance with other test cars.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 151\3\ scan0331 | |
| Date | 29th October 1937 | |
| Gry. {Shadwell Grylls} apparently we shall have to insist that P.III. owners change to winter oil. Rm. {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} To Rm. {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} /FD. {Frank Dodd - Bodies} 1290 29.10.37 Re. your memo Rm. {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} 6/R.28.10.37.? P.III. - Cold Starting-33.EX. car. The trouble experienced by yourself on starting this car after standing out one frosty night, was not cured by dismantling and cleaning the tappet mechanism, although there was an improvement. The failure is attributed to the Duckham's N.p.3. engine oil, although on this car it was not proved by changing the engine oil to winter grade, as this would have interfered with a test we were making of reducing the oil flow to the crank-case filter by 50% in the hope of assisting the filter. E's suggestion. A comparison was made with 36-EX. the filter being removed after 5,000 miles, 33-EX. up-to-date has only run 3,170 miles, but is in very good condition compared with 36-EX. Archer has promised to loan us a P.III. next week to try a cold start using winter grade oil on a P.III. with hydraulic tappets. We have not been able to obtain a production P.III. to do this test before, owing to shortage of chassis. Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} /FD. {Frank Dodd - Bodies} | ||