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).
Questioning the received wisdom that spare petrol pumps must be kept wet with petrol to remain functional.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 149\4\ scan0262 | |
| Date | 28th April 1937 | |
| Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} 1263 To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Copy to E.P.De.BY. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} re Petrol Pumps. Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}15/E28.4.37 When we have discussed the question of a spare petrol pump fitted up so that it could be used in case of failure, I believe I am correct in saying that the view has always been expressed that it was necessary to have both petrol pumps in use because, if they were not kept wet with petrol, the mechanism or the diaphragms in particular would deteriorate and probably be of no use when wanted. I have carried a spare petrol pump in the back of my car for about 6 months/. I asked Kennett to fit it up in order to see how long it took and also to see if it functioned. This reveals the fact that it functions quite satisfactorily. One wonders, therefore, why there has been this statement referred to above. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} | ||