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).
Status report on the 15,000 miles endurance test for two experimental cars, the Phantom III 35-EX and the 25/30.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 101\2\ scan0139 | |
| Date | 29th October 1936 | |
| 50au To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} 15,000 MILES TEST. The present position of the two Experimental Cars on Endurance Run is as follows:- Phantom III. 35-EX. This car is running in London traffic. The first 1500 miles of this test shewed up serious trouble with valve gear lubrication under traffic conditions and the clutch also deteriorated. The car has been back to the Works twice for modification to the lubrication of the valve gear mechanism and the clutch has also been changed. The present running is more a piece of experimental research to determine the right parts to use for lubrication of the push rod ends than normal endurance, in consequence the mileage accomplished may be exceedingly small. Latest petrol pumps on test. In the meantime the Experimental Dept. are preparing an engine unit modified to overcome the big end bearing troubles. ------------------ 25/30 This car is also doing research work. The present position is that although we have run a large number of miles on the deturbulated cylinder head we have not yet got a clear picture of what the customer is getting out of the alteration. The testers in France are making extensive comparisons between the new head and the present standard head and checking up on the results obtained with the roll rod and the low rated front springs. The roll rod increases the weight of the car and is costly. If we adopt it we should be sure that it is well worth while. As this is almost certainly the last Endurance Test which we shall run on the 25/30. in France we propose to leave the car there as long as the engine remains sound and send parts which we wish to standardise out to it. We are just despatching silenced petrol pumps with the new diaphragm and a less costly exhaust system which we hope will be immune from corrosion. We are running different types of plugs to find one which is not effected by Ethyl. ------------------ Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||