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).
Fuel types, including Esso, Benzole/Aviation mix, and leaded fuel (TEL), and their effects on Bentley engines.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 27a\4\ Scan339 | |
| Date | 30th October 1934 | |
| X1282 W/P - Sr/VA. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}13/KW.30.10.34. Power Output (Carburation) from Bentley Engines. ----------------------------------------- Replying to Sr/VA5/GM. 26.10.34. We are not really very familiar with the petrol which can be obtained on the Continent, but in our experience "Esso" is as good as anything which can be obtained from the ordinary roadside pumps. Actually we have had excellent results from 50% pure Benzole and 50% Aviation fuel, but this is really only necessary when high compression ratios are used. I do not think you would get sufficient benefit from it on the standard car to be worth the trouble entailed in getting hold of it. We understand that fuel containing TEL is just being launched on the French market. Whilst we run all our experimental cars on TEL so that they can operate under the worst possible conditions, we are not very enthusiastic about it. The troubles encountered are, a certain amount of missing fire at low speeds due to a deposit on the plug electrode, and occasional increased pitting of the exhaust valve. We are working on both these points but for the time being we would suggest that, without putting anything in writing, you recommend your clients to stick to a straight fuel if they can get the required quality without difficulty. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||