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).
Testing report for the R.37 engine used in Sir Malcolm Campbell's 'Bluebird' record car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 179b\2\ img008 | |
| Date | 5th October 1932 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} From Ha/Yng. c. to SG.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Vor. c. to Rg.{Mr Rowledge} c. to Sy. Lr.{Mr Ellor} THE TESTING OF THE ENGINE FOR SIR MALCOLM CAMPBELL'S RECORD CAR 'BLUEBIRD'. - ENGINE NO. R.37 The engine for the attempt on the World's Land Speed Record was materially the same as the engines which captured the Schneider Trophy and World's Air Speed Record. To suit the altered conditions however, the following modifications were made - (1) The engine was handed, i.e. the direction of rotation of the crankshaft was reversed from clockwise to anti-clockwise when looking from the driving end. (2) The reduction gear was removed and a special casing carrying a flanged shaft coupled direct to the crankshaft substituted. (3) The supercharger gear ratio raised from 7.47 to 7.94 in order to increase the power. (4) The venturi air intake reversed so as to point away from the engine and the area of the inlet increased from 16 to 20 sq.ins. In addition to proving the particular engine mechanically and establishing a jet setting for the conditions as regards the air intake, and intake air speeds, further tests were necessary in order to tune the engine up for a sprint fuel. CONDITION OF TESTS. All tests were carried out under the following conditions unless dated to be otherwise. Fuel. 23/73/10 plus 4. Avn/Ben/Meth. plus TEL. Plugs. K.L.G. 675. Oil. Castrol "R". Intake Air Speed 300 M.P.H. TESTS CARRIED OUT. On receiving the engine after its initial building, it was run under light load for six hours at speeds increasing in | ||