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).
Failures of big-end bearings on Bentley engines and recommending a halt to production pending further testing.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 115\1\ scan0247 | |
| Date | 7th January 1937 | |
| 1020 Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}4/R.7.1.37. RR.56 BIG END BEARINGS ON THE BENTLEY. We have a telegram from Hancock which reads as follows:- "ROBOTHAM NUMBER SIX ROD FAILED STOP DUE TO METAL "GROWING STOP METAL SEIZED ON PIN TORN METAL OUT "OF BEARING STOP NO COLLAPSE OF METAL STOP "REMAINING RODS FREE SEND NEW BEARING - HANCOCK." Yesterday the second engine which we are pre- paring for a 15,000 miles test in France seized a big-end bearing on its final proof run at 4,500 revs. In view of these failures we recommend that we should stop production of big-end bearings in this material until we have had more experience experimentally. We see no reason why the other modifications, which are as follows:- (1) Large oil pump; (2) Improved Filter; (3) Second oil hole in the Journals; (4) Larger oil pump; should not be proceeded with. We shall now hold back 3.B.IV. chassis until we have some modification which we think will overcome the trouble experienced on 6 B.IV. The standardisation sheet for these bearings, which was sent to the Cost Office 17.12.36. has been with- drawn. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||