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).
Modifications to the suspension and design of the Phantom III 33-gallon petrol tank.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 95\4\ scan0179 | |
| Date | 20th September 1935 | |
| To EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} Copy to Sft.{Mr Swift} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} HHG. Ws/Wakefield. BOWERING X351 E/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}1/MN.20.9.35. File PHANTOM III. Re 33 Gallon Petrol Tank. We send herewith LeC 4715 showing a modification to the suspension of the above petrol tank to deal with the recent failure on the bumping rig, and Work's comments. We have reverted to the original type of suspension so that the assembly of the tank is simplified. Apart from the saving due to the removal of the stud we have reduced the socket overhang by .562" at each end. Judging from experiments with the 28 gallon on Phantom III it will appear that this tank will come off the car without having to interfere with the road springs. To avoid the fracture in the end plate experienced on the bump rig a common backing plate spreads between the suspension tube and the filler. In order to enable the new machine to be used for turning over the ends of the tank we have made it possible for the filler to be put on after the tank is built up, the filler being held on by eight .156 set screws, the whole being tinned and sweated. At the request of the Works we agree that the spacing of the rivets around the edge of the tank for maintaining the stone guards may be increased to five or six inches, and that the stone guards should not pass underneath the sumps for the base of the tank or underneath the rivetting for the arched gusset over the exhaust swan-neck pipe. The stone guard may be kept clear of these fittings and tacked to the tank with an odd rivet here and there to hold it in position whilst it is sweated. With respect to the arched depression over the exhaust pipe, we agree with the Works that rivetting is undesirable if it can be avoided, and we welcome their suggestion of experimenting with pressing this tunnel in to the bottom of the tank. However, some years ago we made a tank design with this tunnel pressed in and we believe considerable difficulty was experienced in producing. We send to RHC{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} an advance print as we understand there is a desire to get this modification on the 33 gallon tank which is being fitted to Phantom III in France. | ||