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).
Test report on an 18 HP Lanchester car, focusing on its fluid flywheel, power curve, and rear axle performance.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 22\3\ Scan101 | |
| Date | 5th March 1932 | |
| 8440 To R.{Sir Henry Royce} From Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Lid.{A. J. Lidsey} c. to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Wox. c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Lid.{A. J. Lidsey}4/WJ.5.3.32. 18 HP. LANCHESTER. We have now had an opportunity of testing the Lanchester car on the dynamometer and attached herewith is a power curve, valve and ignition timing particulars, and a curve indicating the amount of slip in the fluid flywheel under full throttle conditions. It was found that the slip varies considerably; it appears to be greater when cold than when hot, for example the engine speed when running at full throttle in top gear, the car being stationary, varies from 730 RPM. cold to 650 RPM. after considerable slipping, the slip being reduced gradually with the time during which slipping takes place. Slipping appears to cease to take place over 40 MPH. in top gear. The power is very good when compared with our 20/25 HP. standard first half of 'M' Series car; the peak of the curve is at 60 MPH. compared with 59 MPH. on our 20/25 car and at 70 MPH. the Lanchester power is considerably greater. Very little trouble was experienced during the test, the engine ran remarkably well and was free from oil leaks or distress of any kind. The exhaust system showed very little signs of heat as compared with our cars indicating very small power losses in the silencer. The fluid flywheel and gearbox gave no trouble at all; the rear axle was the weakest point, it very quickly got hot, a usual feature of worm gear axles, and had to be cooled by pouring water over the casing. In addition there was a bad oil leak from the worm housing. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/A.J.Lidsey. | ||