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).
Letter responding to queries about various car components including valve seats, flywheel mounting, and suspension.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 143\2\ scan0092 | |
| Date | 9th February 1941 | |
| Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}12/SW. 9th February, 1941. Mr. A.{Mr Adams} Thom, Hillcrest, Greenclose, Whitchurch, GLAMORGAN. Dear Sir, Replying to your letter of February 1st, addressed to Bentley Motors, Ltd. (1) Stellited Exhaust Valve Seats. These have been used on exhaust valves fitted to all Bentley cars since the 3½ litre was introduced. The object is not to prevent wear, but to prevent corrosion of the exhaust valve due to Ethyl fluid contained in all premium car fuels. The valve seat in the cylinder head is at a much lower temperature than the valve, and in consequence functions satisfactorily without stelliting. (2) Flexible Mounting of the Flywheel. This flexible mounting only allows a deflection of a few thousandths of an inch under the load required to compress the clutch springs. This is not sufficient to affect the clutch operation. (3) Tension Shackle. A tension shackle is one that puts the spring in tension in the normal load position. Its effect is to increase the spring rate when the axle is about to hit the maximum deflection stop. The advantage of this is that it allows a lower spring rate to be used than the normal shackle. (4) Anti-roll Bar. This is fitted between the front suspension arms of the front wheels. Its object is to improve the car's cornering ability. (5) Brake Connections. There is no great difference in using rods in tension instead of wires, provided always that the wires are not of the variety which run in outer cables. Rods have a production advantage, in that they are easier to attach to the necessary jaws. Yours sincerely, | ||