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).
Vehicle testing, detailing issues with exhaust noise, maximum speed trials, and a rear axle oil leak.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 11\4\ 04-page117 | |
| Date | 20th July 1932 guessed | |
| -2- the lagging of the intermediate pipe, <strikethrough>gave results.</strikethrough> no official. The front expansion chamber is the culprit, and lagging this chamber diminishes the tinniness and the exhaust beat by 50%. The thicker intermediate pipes cures the trouble of sticking sliding joints because of the less inclination to distortion of the bends. Re. Maximum Speeds. We are sorry that our maximum speeds on a level stretch of road do not come up to your expectations, or the results you obtained on Brooklands, but we can assure you that our speeds are as near correct as it is possible to obtain them, without an elaborate electrical system. The half mile stretch has been measured by a tape measure. We get approximately a mile start at either end of the stretch. The first results we sent you, as you will by now have seen, were with the cut-out closed. We should have taken the tests also with cut-out open, but someone spoilt the test by politely taking away the finishing post ( a tin placed by the side of the road), and the distance had to be measured again, traffic then cut the test out. We had decided that the altered timing was not so good, therefore we altered it during the week-end, and have sent you the results obtained. We have had another go with a slightly stronger mixture, and with practically no wind to interfere with the results. You will find these enclosed. If it is any consolation, we may state that on a give and take road, a speed of 94 m.p.h. has been reached, but as far as the level stretch, well, it's not there. We will try with the silencer off, if the conditions will allow us. Re. Oil Leak from O.S. of Rear Axle. We have not been able to cure the leak, and we have reported that the air vent gave little better results. reducing oil level does not cure it, without risking too much. The camber of the road certainly makes it worse. The leak was there on the previous test, but with the fitting of the oil retaining baffle whilst at the Works, it is 100% worse. (Kaye Don's car was almost as bad when it was at the Works.) There is no leak from the N.S. and we have kept | ||