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).
Crankshaft failure and repair options for Lord Somers' car, chassis 3.BU.144.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 146\5\ scan0110 | |
| Date | 24th February 1939 | |
| 1245 W/Levallois c. to C. c. to Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. to Hd.{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy} BY/SB{Mr Bull/Mr Bannister}1/MG.24.2.39 CHASSIS 3.BU.144 - LORD SOMERS We note the contents of your Sr/VAI/ET.21.2.39, and it would appear that the main point at issue is, not so much the actual big-end failure, but the fact that the chauffeur continued to drive the car after the failure for a distance of some 200 miles - this having resulted in the crankshaft being badly damaged. Had it not been for this, it would have been a clear case where we should fit Hall's Metal big-ends, giving the Owner the material and charging only for the labour of fitting them, which would amount to little more than the equivalent of an R.30, which would in any case have been legitimately chargeable at 36,000 miles. As it is, we are faced with the expense of dismantling the engine to the extent of either fitting a replacement crankshaft, or re-grinding the existing crankshaft and re-nitriding. This, in our view is chargeable to the Owner, since the damage is not due to faulty design, but is due to the car having been run 200 miles after the big-end failure. The question as to what to do with the crankshaft depends on what time is available. We are perfectly agreeable to the one crank-pin being re-ground and re-nitrided and the special undersize big-end fitted. We would prefer this, because it would not be fair to exchange the crankshaft and have to dispose of this crankshaft to someone else. As regards the tappets, we agree that, in view of the fact that 5 cams are worn, it would be as well to convert to the solid tappets whilst the engine is dismantled. The intermediate or idler wheel should be replaced with one of the latest gears manufactured from Fabroil A.1047, which we think will have a longer life. The cylinder bores appear to be very good for the mileage. BY/SBS | ||