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).
Bearing performance and failures in Bentley 3 1/2 and 4 1/4 Litre engines.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 115\3\ scan0105 | |
| Date | 16th November 1937 | |
| -2- BENTLEY 3 1/2 LITRE - CONT'D.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} 4.B.IV May 1934. (IN England). No bearing trouble in 4,271 miles. 4.B.IV July 1934. Nos. 1, 2 and 5 Big ends collapsed after 14,650. No trouble with main bearings reported. 5.B.IV May 1935. Lead bronze big ends. No. 5 failed after 8,336 due to Shell turning and cutting off oil hole. All big ends breaking up at 12,700 miles. No trouble reported with main bearings. BENTLEY 4 1/4 LITRE. B.56.BN.{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} Oct. 1935. A.C.7 Steel backed big ends. Nos.2 and 3 breaking up at 10,000 and failed at 11,700 miles. A.C.7 main bearings in bad condition on examination after 11,700 miles. B.56.BN.{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} April 1936. A.C.7 big ends. No.5 failed shortly after re-building engine after 11,800 miles. Others gave no trouble. A.C.7 Main bearings reported in poor condition after 11,800 miles but completed 17,000. 6.B.IV Aug. 1936. A.C.7 Main bearings loose in housings and badly worn after 9,000 miles but continued to run till end of test, 17,000 miles. A.C.7 Big ends. No.6 failed after 10,750. No.5 cracked. Others were good. | ||