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).
Engine cylinder count and frame design to reduce vibration.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\V\March1931-September1931\ Scan063 | |
| Date | 18th March 1931 guessed | |
| (2) I am still of the opinion that we must cure at the source, and more cylinders are the only way to do this. I have pointed out that anything revolving only the least bit out of balance maybe sufficient to cause booms in bodies which are free to boom, and this is supported by HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} and others saying that 6. 8. 12. and 16. cyls. are nearly equally bad as made. One sees however that we ought to get rid of many troubles with 12 cyls. and yet it would allow us to fix our engine in the frame enough to help the frame torsionally, because we have no torque reaction impulses or over-running vibrations, which to me are the sole cause of our dissatisfaction and can only be dealt with by soft mounting which results in a torsionally flexible frame. I had suggested, and therefore agree with HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}, that the best way to spend our money is not to buy cars which we know are imperfect but to use the money to make what we think best. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||