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).
Radiator testing, lubrication issues, and material analysis.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 15\1\ Scan119 | |
| Date | 25th July 1929 guessed | |
| -2- We have carried out a simple test comparing V series, F.2 B series and S.S. radiators. The test is crude and comparative only, but it does demonstrate that as we have made our radiators shallower, narrower, and deeper, we have progressively increased the hydraulic restriction of the matrix. There is no doubt that over lubrication of the water pump gland can cause trouble, and we have proved that inserting 50 cc's of oil in the system can restrict the circulation appreciably. To obviate this we are standardising non lubricated chromium plated spindles. We are investigating the differences between radiators made to the same drawing. Variations are bound to occur in the soldering and the compression put on the tubes. There has been no alteration in methods of manufacture, however, since the Silver Ghost. Methods of testing finished radiators are being improved. We have had a test carried out boiling the Alum. head Alloy in water for several hours. In distilled water little deposit accumulates. In tap water however, a considerable quantity of Aluminium Hydroxide is formed and as this is in colloidal form one can visualise it being carried into the matrix and producing a gummy deposit. We think that the reason why more Aluminium is not found in the analysis is that attempts are always made to clear the radiator with caustic soda before it is sent to us and this will dissolve the major portion of the hydroxide. | ||