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).
Oil consumption and the importance of achieving round and parallel cylinder bores.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 144\3\ scan0144 | |
| Date | 15th January 1937 | |
| 1220. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Swdl.{Len H. Swindell} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. to Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Mths.{Reg Matthews} Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}4/R.15.1.37. OIL CONSUMPTION. We had a talk with Taub of Chevrolet yesterday. He probably knows how to make an engine with good oil consumption better than anybody in the industry. He emphasised the importance of parallel and round cylinder bores. His view is that in production bores must not vary more than ½ thou. round and 1 thou. parallel. For comparison tests on rings pistons, however, he considers it necessary to have bores to much finer limits. In the Experimental Dept. we must have a set up for measuring cylinder bore wear, so that we can measure bores accurately for being round, parallel and square with the crankshaft. We are prepared to purchase any equipment necessary, provided we consider it will be the simplest to do the job. We want Mths.{Reg Matthews} to give the whole of his time to this, and if he requires any assistance, this can be arranged. The first problem we want tackling is what causes distortion of the Bentley block when it is bolted up on the cylinder and crankcase. Also if a block is ground truly circular and parallel with the cylinder head and crankcase in position, will it remain in the same condition when these parts are removed and re-fitted ? The same information is required from the P.III, but it is not so easy to handle as the Bentley, and for this reason we think we should start on the smaller unit. No effort should be spared to progress with this job. We think we have relied on Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} far too much in the past, and have been far too long in getting a round cylinder. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||