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).
The performance and faults of various vehicle components including the clutch, gearbox, and axle.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 109\4\ scan0200 | |
| Date | 10th August 1939 guessed | |
| ( 2 ) this varies with fuel obtained from different pumps. The engine is considerably better for freedom from detonation than Wraith or Phantom III. Rear bearing oil seal very good, no sign of leak. New set of plugs, Champion NA.{Mr Nadin}10, fitted. Original set of Champion N.8. lasted 11,000 to 13,000 miles. CLUTCH. Smooth forward, ocassionally small jaggers in reverse mostly when hot. Light in operation, have not noticed heaviness due to centrifugal assistance when changing gear at high engine revs. Oil in clutch pit coming from gearbox bearing housing joint, and bijur to withdrawal shaft. No slip with proper use, no drag, has worn more rapidly than other cars. GEARBOX. Side shaft noise passable. Still comes out of 3rd gear on over-run after fitting stronger selector spring, ocassionally baulks on changing down to 3rd. Both these troubles developed after 11,000 miles. Damper unit continues to give 28-29 lbs. on maximum; ocassional loss of poundage due to dirt can be cleared by moving to minimum and immediately back again. There is a filter on the suction pipe which has stopped a lot of foreign matter. If standardised, it should be cleared every 15,000 miles. Leaks along change speed shaft. This did not occur on 8.B.V. or 14.B.V. PROPELLOR SHAFT. Periods at 50 and 90 m.p.h. seem to have become less noticeable; were worse with car fully loaded. Sliding joint free, needle bearings smooth. SEMI-FLOATING REAR AXLE. Absolutely quiet. Slight oil leaks at pinion and air vent holes. Loss of oil negligible. Rear hubs free from leaks. Ocassional leak through drain holes behind carrier plates when axle has been very hot. These are new features and have overcome the trouble experienced on early B.V's of oil getting on brakes under these conditions. | ||