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).
Ongoing issues and policy disputes regarding aluminium piston knocks.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 35\2\ scan 139 | |
| Date | 30th September 1919 | |
| Chassis To Rn.{Mr Robinson} from Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} x2748 Worll/M30.9.19. c. to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} c. to Sft.{Mr Swift} re Aluminium Pistons. ------------------ So far as I can see, and judging from conversations I have had with Messrs Hives, Swift and Platford, the conference at London does not seem to have settled any definite policy re piston knocks. My understanding is that Mr. Royce has definitely laid down that we must despatch cars with aluminium piston knocks until we have found a way of curing same without reducing the clearances laid down to us, but unfortunately the degree of knock as understood by Test Dept. and the instruction laid down by Mr. Royce, does not seem to have succeeded in arriving at a state where we can hope to despatch many cars, or to put on test chassis with engines that are likely to get through. There is a large sum of money being spent weekly, pulling engines down and putting them up, easing pistons that are almost seizing, or are seizing up on test; when they are eased they knock - engines pulled down again and similar process gone through again, with the result that the Works are continuously making pistons but unfortunately it does not succeed in getting many cars away. Mr. Swift has got the Works on night and day on pistons, and is feeling very desperate about the position generally; Mr. Platford does not care to take the responsibility of despatching cars with piston knocks, so that we do want some settlement to be arrived at. Mr. Hives agrees that the position is most acute, and that there is no immediate cure for piston knocks. Therefore it would seem that it is very necessary to get down to the job and see what standard of knock we can despatch. If we cannot arrive at a decision by which we can turn cars out it would seem almost better to suspend our present methods of throwing money away. I have tried not to exaggerate the position and have spoken to everyone in order to try and get the correct version, and I believe that the above is just how we stand. I know and readily appreciate that you are doing everything possible, but as I pointed out several weeks ago we shall do nothing if we do not all understand precisely what is expected of us and what we should despatch, and that we are working unitedly as a team towards the end. I do not wish to imply in any way that there is any discord, but there is a difference of views which [Footer text, upside down] R.R. 235A (500 T) (S.D.) 408. 26.4.17. Bm. 2156/13. | ||