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).
20-HP engine gear failures caused by insufficient flywheel clearance on experimental and new cars.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 75\1\ scan0276 | |
| Date | 7th June 1923 | |
| X4247 SPL c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}1/H7.6.23. re. 20-HP Engine Gear Failures. X4247 X4221 One of the features which we experienced in the early Experimental car, was that when the engine was run under high speed conditions, the flywheel caused the breakage of the cam wheel, due to insufficient clearance, and the fact that the two halves of the cam wheel had to be more thoroughly controlled. We are still experiencing this trouble on new cars and find it necessary to bring forward again the importance of some definite specification being given for this job. I believe at the time it was arranged that a minimum clearance from the back of the slipper flywheel, including the heads of the bolts, to the cam wheel or intermediate wheel should not be less than .1". Also this clearance should not be reduced by more than .020", when the halves of the slipper are fully opened out. Can you please see that this is distinctly carried out in the erection of engines, also that such engines as do not comply with this specification on test receive your attention. As a matter of fact, we find when inspecting engines on test this specification seems generally to apply, but at the same time I feel it is a point which is not being fully appreciated. Can BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} please see that this instruction is given definitely on the drawing, and to the correct quarter in the Works? EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} [Handwritten diagonally]: HIVES [Stamped]: RECEIVED | ||