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).
Issues with the starter motor clutch and proposing a modification to a slipper drive type.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 171\3\ img041 | |
| Date | 19th May 1920 | |
| R.R 285A (100 T) S.G 545. 19-5-20: G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} 2618 MODIFICATIONS TO STARTER MOTOR CLUTCH. SLIPPER DRIVE. The present clutch which is fitted to the chassis is unsatisfactory. It either gives trouble with slipping or it seizes up. It is very essential that we have an efficient friction clutch with our type of starter. If the clutch slips the starter is put out of action. If the clutch siezes up there is a very great risk of breaking the shaft. On cars delivered there have been several cases of the clutches slipping and there has been one case of the shaft breaking. We think that it is essential that this modification to the clutch should come on the cars immediately. The idea of it is to overcome a faulty piece which now exsists. We recommend that all the clutches on cars should be altered to this improved type as soon as possible. We have carried out tests with the new clutch on a car and find that it does do what we require i.e., it can be set with sufficient friction to always ensure starting the engine, and it will then be such that the starter mechanism cannot be damaged either starting with the ignition full advanced or by pressing the button when the engine is running backwards. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||