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).
The cylinder construction of the Allison engine following an inspection at Wright Field.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 173\2\ img170 | |
| Date | 5th March 1934 | |
| COPY OF REPORT RECEIVED FROM Ra, IN U.S.A. DATED 21.2.34. To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} From Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn.{Mr Robinson} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to Bg. c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} c. to Lr.{Mr Ellor} c. to Lp.{Mr Lappin} c. to F.{Mr Friese} Went round Wright Field to-day and managed to get a look at the Allison engine. I enclose a bad sketch. Briefly the cylinder construction is as follows :- (1) Pent house roof type cylinder head with four valves, an aluminium casting with inserted valve seats. (2) A single overhead camshaft. (3) Cylinder head deep casting, as on the Conqueror only more so, and the liner shrunk into it (shrunk fit confirmed by questioning). (4) Two plugs direct in aluminium above the liner. (5) Solid aluminium washer between the cyl. head and water jacket casting. (6) "Wet" liner in the water jacket which is alum. casting. (7) What appeared to be a screwed type gland at the bottom. (8) Block held down by studs, sitting on the face of the bottom gland nut as shown. S seems absurd but it apparently is so, as it was confirmed in course of conversation, though what sort of gland packing was inside I do not know. They claim on the Allison engine to be able to run at 180 H.P. Glycol cooled at 300°F.{Mr Friese} before bad audible detonation sets in, but what that means I don't know. At present having minor troubles with supercharger. Have done no endurance. | ||