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).
Investigation into a 25/30 HP cylinder head with preignition trouble caused by an accumulation of rusted cast iron chips.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 103\4\ scan0192 | |
| Date | 16th February 1938 | |
| Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from RHC{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}/Cy. C. to RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} Posted 579 RHC{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}/Cy.8/LS.16.2.38. 25/30.HP. CYLINDER HEAD - Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Swdl.{Len H. Swindell}7/AP.2.2.37. The head which has given preignition trouble was tried out on another chassis and the same conditions were observed. The core plugs were removed, but nothing could be seen or felt that would cause incandescence. We then cut up the head and found a large accumulation of foreign matter almost completely blocking up the water passage adjacent to No.2 combustion chamber. The foreign matter consists of cast iron chips bonded together by rust. Rust forming the major portion of the mass. One would imagine (in the absence of positive proof) that the nucleus for this body was formed during machining when the head would be lying on its joint face. A small pile of chippings would be formed on the wet surface inside the head and would rust there. This small pile must have been rusted fairly securely to the top of the water space, and thus gathered more chippings and rust to attain its present size. The casting is quite as clean from the moulding point of view as any other head. We are taking greater precautions in cleaning to prevent a recurrence of the trouble. Will you please let us know from whom this head was originally obtained and the approximate date. 20th Jan 1937 RHC{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}/Cy. Cl | ||