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).
Secret memo discussing fan belt clearance issues and proposed modifications for 8 Cylinder Senior Range cars.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 135\4\ scan0076 | |
| Date | 20th May 1940 | |
| SECRET. 1135 To Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} c.c to Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/HH. Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}1/JH.20.5.40. Fan Belt Clearances - 8 Cyl. Cars. Senior Range. An endeavour has been made to increase the clearance for the removal of the fan belt on 8 cyl. cars of the Senior Range. This clearance was fine on the original design of radiator and mounting PD.233, but when the yoke was widened and altered in shape by PD.276 to deal with a failure on 30.G.VII the clearances accidentally became worse. The change to mounting by Oldsmobile stabiliser rubbers PD.489 made matters still worse. On PL.227 herewith we shew our proposals for dealing with the situation and these should be applied to the radiator for Silver Phantom 31.G.VII. The radiator yoke remains wide but is modified at the base to give the same increased strength of PD.482 with adequate belt clearance. The mounting is similar to PD.489 but reduced in length, whilst a set screw is substituted for bolt to facilitate erection. For 31.G.VII two Oldsmobile rubbers can be cut down. The matrix and bottom tank are unchanged. The starting dog has been reduced in length and the starting handle will need to be lengthened a similar amount. Although the theoretical clearance between the crankshaft damper and the bent front pan is sufficient, we have been told that the engine position cannot be highly accurately controlled. Before we make any more new bent front pans for any car we suggest that the detail be modified as indicated. We would like to do something with the front pan of 31.G.VII for which a built-up frame already exists. We suggest that a revised detail and scheme PL.227 be shewn to HPS{Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr}/RH.{R. Hollingworth} and his views as to what is possible be obtained. [Handwritten Signature] Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} [Handwritten] * P.T.O [Handwritten in red] 4 copies of memo. 2 prints of PL.227. Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} 1 print to Ashby. | ||