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).
Progress report on vehicle testing, covering components like tyres, gearbox, clutch, and steering.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 82\4\ scan0276 | |
| Date | 26th March 1936 | |
| -2- (3) Tyre Noise. The rubber shackle experiment has been reported on, and provision is being made to incorporate this on production as soon as a 15,000 miles test has been run on it. Experiments with rubber between the springs and the axle are proceeding. (4) Gearbox. The gearbox on 32-EX, which is an exact replica of the first 50 production boxes, is satisfactory for ease of change and very good for silence on the gears under load conditions. When idling the side shaft is only fair. (5) Steering. Nothing further to report. (6) Clutch. We are satisfied that, even with a stiffer back plate, the clutch as fitted to 32-EX is not good enough for production. We are experimenting with the lining used on the Long clutch, which can be fitted directly to the plates ordered for the first 50 cars, if it proves satisfactory. So far results are encouraging. (7) Pistons and Overoiling. So far we have experienced neither piston knocks nor overoiling on 32-EX. The running done of course has been extremely limited. Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} has done a lot of work on this problem and it is now really only waiting for the 15,000 miles test to prove the results. (8) Pinking. We believe that 32-EX, with the ignitions correctly set and the correct automatic advance characteristics, will not be criticised. (9) Vibration on the Over-run. Has been eliminated by reverting to the original flywheel. (10) Road Holding & Steering. Grylls has been working on information he obtained from America to demonstrate that a wider road wheel rim gives greater stability on corners and a more road-worthy car. This he has satisfactorily demonstrated, and we are co-operating with Dunlops to see when we can get such wheels on the cars. Investigations on tyre noise are continuing at the same time. | ||