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).
Technical memo addressing issues with seat adjustment, clutch life, oil consumption, and engine pinking/detonation.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 129\3\ scan0136 | |
| Date | 3rd March 1936 | |
| X 1110 To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. to WCR. c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to IV. Replying to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}9/4.2.36. - in X 204 The objection to sliding the seat back by means of the Leveroll fixing seems to be that it is not possible to do this to any extent if the rear seats are occupied. With regard to your other points - Clutch. A clutch giving some ten times the life of the one at present giving trouble was standardised twelve months ago on the Bentley. The Borg & Beck standardised on the 4¼ litre is in the same class and less costly as a changeover. Oil Consumption. In only one case that we have been able to locate has this been attributable to Aerolite pistons, as against seven with standard pistons. The major cause is as stated in the last Depot Sheet, the rocker shaft being fitted the wrong way round. Six months ago we purposely increased the oil consumption by drilling a fine hole in the con. rod, as we had four cases of piston seizure. It may be that the cure is worse than the disease, but we are only just beginning to get information on the subject from Depot Sheets, from which we can come to any decision. It is a simple matter on any car to revert to the original condition, which as shown in Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Ex.12/1.2.36, gives consistently about 1600 m.p.g. with the present standard piston, but we have yet to hear of a case where this has been found necessary. Investigation is continuing. Pinking and Detonation. It is possible that this is aggravated by carbonisation due to the rocker shaft being fitted the wrong way round. We have for some months been developing an ignition governor which suppresses detonation without affecting performance. Considerable work has been carried out on combustion chamber characteristics. | ||