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).
Results of a 15,000-mile test in France, focusing on fuel consumption and cooling system performance.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 5\1\ 01-page164 | |
| Date | 4th July 1933 | |
| S/W. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}.from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Copy to Wox. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Der. By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} PH. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} x5770 Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}1/WT4.7.33. [Stamp: RECEIVED 8 JUL 1933] 18-G4. 15,000 miles test in France. I conclude that you would describe the run of 15,000 miles as being satisfactory in all important respects. I notice that the consumption of fuel on the mileage comes out at just over 14 m.p.g. (on this report the figures are given as 14.81 m.p.g.). This consumption is apparently very reasonable having regard to the high average speeds run, and does not differ materially from that of our old carburetter. I note that the air-valve of the carburetter stuck on several occasions. I was under the impression that one of the great features of the S.U.design was the form and position of the guide which prevented the necessity for any very close fit between the piston and the piston chamber. Radiator and Fittings. It is a little difficult to know what view you are taking with regard to a suitable radiator capacity and fan for this car, because you appear to have run at high air temperature and speeds without the fan, without any increase in water temperature, but with an increase of oil temperature, and the fact that the bonnet-shutters were either open or shut appeared to make no difference. I believe that in the past tests have been made to ascertain the horse-power absorbed by the fan at high speeds, and as much as 8 or 9 h.p. were absorbed on the "Phantom". I conclude that when you stated the fan, in the case under review, did very "little actual work" you infer that the air was already passing through the radiator at a speed a bit higher than that which would be due to the operation of the fan at those high speeds, and consequently the latter would be absorbing very little power. Do you propose a larger capacity matrix in view of this, or a higher speed fan, or to leave the conditions as they are as being reasonably satisfactory in practice ? | ||