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).
10,000-mile bench test report on a standard Goshawk distributor, examining a new rubbing block and platinum points.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 69\1\ scan0371 | |
| Date | 21th October 1924 guessed | |
| X 4646 EFC. WA.{Mr Wallis}113. X.4646. X.4357. X.4652. 23.25. 10,000 MILE BENCH TEST OF STANDARD GOSHAWK DISTRIBUTOR, FITTED WITH NEW POSITIVE EARTHING CONNECTION, BONE GREY FIBRE (2nd SAMPLE) RUBBING BLOCK AND NEW PLATINUM POINTS. ---------------- The above test has now been completed and the various items examined. The cam was greased (as per instruction book) every 2000 miles. 1. Rubbing Block T3. This block was made up of the second sample of bone grey fibre and has already done 10,000 miles unlubricated. The block was carefully measured before and after the test and the maximum wear was found to be .002". The general condition of the block was O.K. 2. Platinum Points. The condition of these points confirms the results previously obtained. A hole had worn in the screw point to the depth of the point, and a corresponding pip of platinum had formed on the lever point. Apart from this the points had hardly worn down at all. No doubt the new positive earthing scheme whereby the condenser is earthed direct to the frame has a salutary effect on the condition of the points. But for the pip and cavity, the condition of the points was good. 3. General condition of other parts. The exposed steel parts inside the distributor, were thickly covered with a reddish brown oxide, this having penetrated the electro-plating in parts and even to that part of the steel cam which is normally covered by the rotor. The nickel parts were also covered with a green oxide. (See also WA{Mr Wallis} 98). This effect is considered to be caused by insufficient ventilation of the distributor head, thereby allowing the strong ozone or ionized air set up by the passage of H.T. sparks. Contd. | ||