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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).
Epidemic of connecting rod bearing failures in 3 1/2-Litre Bentley cars and the associated repair costs.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 115\3\  scan0005
Date  7th July 1937
  
Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}
Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}
c. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer}
c. Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer}
c. Rd.
c. W/K - Pk.

1020

Rml/R.7.7.37.

BENTLEY CONNECTING ROD BEARING
FAILURES.

3 1/2-Litre.

We are afraid of an epidemic of big end failures if second-hand 3 1/2-litre Bentley cars are sold to hard drivers after they have covered 30,000 miles or over.

The difficulty is to obviate such an out-break with-out involving the Company in a lot of free of charge work.

Two recent cases might have been anticipated, viz., Donald Healy, who is now Lucas' Racing Manager, and Staniland.

We have talked the matter over with Ed.{J. L. Edwards}, and attach a list of all the bearing failures that have so far been recorded.

The cost of work on the bearings, given as approximate by the Repair Department, is as follows:-

A.{Mr Adams} R.20. At 30,000 miles the customer is advised to have an R.20 inspection, which means the bottom half being dropped and the pistons and connect-ing rods being removed for examination. This costs £13/10/-. When the engine is in this condition it is all ready to have the connect-ing rod bearings changed at the minimum cost.

B. BIG END BEARING CHANGE AND LARGE OIL PUMP.
(Handwritten: cancel & re issue)
If carried out as a separate modification costs £20, but if done in conjunction with an R.20 only means an additional cost of £6/10/-.

C. REMOVING CRANK, DRILLING ADDITIONAL HOLES, GROOVING INTERMEDIATE BEARINGS AND FITTING NEW BIG ENDS & LARGE PUMP.
(Handwritten in margin: 38 42 80)
If carried out as a separate modification, costs £30, but if done in conjunction with an R.20, only means an additional cost of £16/10/-.
  
  


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