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 for the Bensport gearbox and J.I. engine, focusing on clutch, flywheel, and engine mounting.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 3\4\ 04-page105 | |
| Date | 24th October 1932 | |
| X 4553 To E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} From Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}8/KT.24.10.32. BENSPORT. Now that we have got some agreement on the Bensport with the J.I. engine, there are three points which we should like to raise. (1) We are somewhat apprehensive of the behaviour of the multi-plate clutch in conjunction with the synchromesh box. If we can co-operate with W.W. to get the pieces through as soon as possible, we can try them out on 18-G-IV. It occurs to me that the moment of inertia of the flywheel is the main cause of our trouble with the synchromesh box. Buicks and Cadillacs did not warn me of it because with their 8 and 12 cyl. engines their flywheels are so small that they do not cause trouble. It seems, therefore, we shall almost certainly have to lighten the flywheel and the only thing against it is rattles in the transmission. Chryslers get good slow running with the flywheel having half the moment of inertia of ours. There are therefore three points which we want to try on J.I. - (a) Multi plate clutch (b) Flywheel having half the moment of inertia (c) Fabric coupling between the engine and gearbox of adequate dimensions which will enable the light flywheel to be used by absorbing any transmission vibrations. (2) Rear Engine Mounting. The Bensport gearbox will enable us to use a much more flexible engine mounting than hitherto. We hope that we shall get better results with the single point rear engine mounting held in rubber than rigidly as at present, though we agree that the present scheme is essential when you have unit construction. Having tried the 8 cylinder Ford we are very much impressed with their smoothness and we commend their unit mounting at the rear as a matter of interest. | ||