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).
Report from France detailing issues with an exhaust manifold, engine, and steering during mileage testing.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 5a\2\ 02-page030 | |
| Date | 8th January 1929 | |
| To: Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Derby From: G.W.H. Hôtel de France, Châteauroux, Indre. January 8th. 1929. Y5840C E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} The exhaust manifold of 14-W4 has cracked round the top flange on the first manifold pipe. The Schoop method of aluminium treatment is not satisfactory. The aluminium has now been melted away. At the end of each run there has been small balls of aluminium formed on the pipe, this could be brushed off easily until finally the whole of the aluminium has disappeared. We now have the plain steel pipe left. It would appear that the heat of the exhaust manifold must be of a higher temperature than the melting point of aluminium. Apart from the front wings, the car has run fairly satisfactory. That is of course with the higher front tyre pressures. The engine has not given us any further trouble, we are of course running without the breather cap to lessen the crank case pressure. It would appear from the compression that the trouble lies in No's 5 & 6 cylinders. The steering of the car has got very light. This is entirely due to loss of friction in pivots. We have checked the cross and side steering tubes and they are O.K. There are several other features which will have to be attended to, but these will be reported upon at the finish of the mileage. We have received the exhaust manifold for the S.S. This is apparently identical to the previous ones. We asked for heavier piping, this was to see whether the manifold would stand up any better. However it will be a better job with the new one fitted during Mr. Loxan's use of the car. We have not as yet received any tyres or spare wheel for the 20-22. The mileage of this car will be finished on the 9th. inst. G.W.H. | ||