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).
Ongoing technical complaints including noisy valve mechanisms, sticking throttles, ignition wire shorting, and brake issues.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 130\2\ scan0104 | |
| Date | 20th August 1936 guessed | |
| ( 2 ) 3) VALVE MECHANISM NOISY. These are serious complaints & are recurrent. During the last quarter at Cricklewood this complaint has cost Pounds 54.0.0. The trouble is with the high lift camshaft and heavy exhaust valves. In one particular instance, the Owner complained to such an extent, that a low lift camshaft with lighter valves was fitted which definately overcame the trouble. This is an expensive job, but with recurrent complaints the cost may be as high. In view of Phantom production having ceased, an experimental test with lighter exhaust valves & springs could be made with a view of decreasing the noise. If proved satisfactory, it would lessen the troubles experienced in Depots. 4) THROTTLES STICKING. This complaint has been overcome by the Paris Depot, also on a 10,000 miles test by fitting an extra return spring, which does not noticeably increase the load on the acceleration. There have been no recurrent complaints with this modification. Will permission be given for all complaints of this nature to be treated likewise. 5) IGNITION WIRES SHORTING IN CARRIER TUBE, & SHORTING DUE TO FITTING A COPPER BRAID ON THE LEAD CABLE FROM COIL TO DISTRIBUTOR. This has become a complaint on all the cars with the introduction of the plain steel carrier tube. We have obtained samples of better insulated cable and submitted them to the Expt. A cable, ozone proof, manufactured by Johnson & Phillips is now being tried out. Prof. Dodd's Bentley was also wired up with this cable. The copper braiding on the lead cable from coil to distributor is being taken off when cars arrive with it fitted. In most cases the interference to the wireless without the copper braiding is not noticeable, and the fitting is being discouraged. A sleeve of Systoflex is in some cases being fitted by the suppliers of wireless. 6) BRAKES & SERVO. This complaint is receiving attention. Oil on Servos and incorrect bedding of fabrics is one of the chief causes. G.W.H. | ||