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).
Road test report on a Phantom III investigating high-speed fuel starvation issues in hot weather conditions.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 91\2\ scan0134 | |
| Date | 15th July 1937 | |
| CHATEAUROUX. To. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} 32-EX. PHANTOM III. An exceptionally hot day was experienced yesterday. The temperature at breakfast time was 24°c and rose steadily to 29°c during the morning shift. It was 31°c throughout the afternoon. The car came in at lunch time with reports of high speed starvation with the frame pumps, cutting the speed down to 65-70 m.p.h. It was ascertained that both sides of the pump were working and giving an equal output. The petrol tank was filled up and the car taken out for full investigation of the trouble. After 15 miles signs of starvation at maximum speed were felt. After 30 miles, 80 m.p.h. was the maximum speed that could be reached. Ten minutes stopping and starting up a long gradient were followed by normal acceleration, and starvation was much in evidence, and an owner would certainly be aware of it. The car gradually recovered to a maximum of 70 m.p.h. Repeating the same test with the standard dash pumps, the starvation was so bad that the car practically came to rest five times while attempting to get away. There was no question of the great improvement affected by the high pressure frame pumps. Further high speed running was then carried out until high speed starvation was at its worst. The maximum speed possible was 60 m.p.h. with the frame pump and 32 m.p.h. with the dash pump. These conditions were practically maintained for the rest of the afternoon. The air temperature was 31°c, the under bonnet temperature 72°c, and the petrol in the tank 44°c. A halt of ten minutes was made during which time the under bonnet temperature rose to 80°c. The car was then driven on and the maximum speed obtainable was as follows:- P.T | ||