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).
Over-oiling issue on the Phantom III model and recommending a course of action regarding close clearance valves.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 96\2\ scan0223 | |
| Date | 30th April 1937 | |
| W/S. c. from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} c. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} 35 H Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}10/R.30.4.37. OVER-OILING ON P.III. The seriousness of this situation is realised in Derby. Both the Experimental Department and Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} recommend that we should not change all cars to close clearance valves. This recommendation is based on the following reasons:- (1) There are many cars out in the original condition but not giving trouble. (2) Any disturbance of the silent tappet gear other than at the Works, and without subsequent considerable testing, is likely to cause trouble. (3) The new KLG plug will prevent many cases of oiled plug trouble. These are being fitted to cars at Coachbuilders. (4) Although at the time, and still now, there is no alternative to close clearance valves, everyone dislikes the thought that they may stick. (5) Before the introduction of close clearance valves, Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} had already asked the Works at the beginning of the year to keep the clearance to the low limit of .002 which figure is now the upper limit. Our opinion is, therefore, that close clearance valves should only be fitted on chassis that have left the Factory in cases of complaint. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||