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).
Letter to F.H. Royce discussing the adoption of a new A.C. mechanical fuel pump to replace the Stewart-Warner vacuum feed system.
Identifier | ExFiles\Box 27a\2\ Scan001 | |
Date | 11th October 1927 | |
X2677 ROLLS-ROYCE OF AMERICA, INC. Springfield, Mass. OY5.R.101127 October 11th 1927. Mr. F.H. Royce Rolls-Royce Ltd., London, England. (Copy for attention of Mr. E.W. Hives) RE FUEL FEED - Section 7140. Dear Mr. Royce, About two years ago I sent you some descriptions of the mechanical fuel pump which was being developed by the A.C. Spark Plug Company. One of the American representatives of the King-Seeley Corporation in discussing the action of his gauge with various types of fuel feed, mentioned that all the General Motors cars, including Buick and Cadillax and not less than six makes of cars outside General Motors, would announce the use of the A.C. fuel feed for next year, and we believe this to be a fact, because of the serious trouble it has caused the Stewart-Warner Corporation, which had a virtual monopoly of the vacuum feed. The reasons for the change are - 1. Feed operates perfectly at full load. 2. No disturbance caused in the intake manifold. 3. Practical freedom from breakdown. For example, thirty test cars of the Oakland Company running one year, have not reported one single case of break down or necessity of adjustment. I believe, therefore, you will be interested in looking over the attached description, prints, etc. of the A.C. pump and ask that if you approve the testing of the system, you should refer the attached material to Mr. Hives who will doubtless send us sketches of the proposed installation which we may take up with the A.C. Company. For convenience in making rough lay-out sketches, the blue print 603 is close to the exact scale, but the length and shape of the operating lever can be varied almost indefinitely. Also the speed of operation is not important, though apparently 1/2 engine speed is considered best. The attached questionnaire should be filled up by Mr. Hives at the time an experimental lay-out is sent to us and will be returned to the A.C. Company. You may criticise the use of a non-metallic diaphragm for the pump but we can only judge by the acknowledged thoroughness of the testing, which is done by the General Motors Corporation, and the fact that this pump is a development from a mechanical pump made in the "Delco" Laboratories some ten years ago, in | ||