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).
Engine cooling issues and radiator design compromises due to sales department feedback.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 24\4\ Scan327 | |
| Date | 13th December 1924 | |
| To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from R.{Sir Henry Royce} c. to CJ. BJ. c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} X766 R1/M13.12.24. ENGINE COOLING. 40/50. X.766 X.3456 X.8250 For this large D.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} headed engine the front face of the radiator is short of area. The design of radiator fan, fan speed; etc. has been tested, and found as good as possible. The ventilation (air getting away) is not perfect and shutters or louvres should always be fitted to the bonnet. We have shewn that no engine has ever been damaged by boiling with reasonable care, and it is not necessary to slow down, refil, or in any way be anxious if the radiator system is not leaking and has recently been refilled. We cannot prevent boiling under certain speeds, and conditions, and air temperatures, within reasonable dimensions, weight and cost, but as the fault is exceptional, and serious only to the mind of the driver, the cure would be worse than the fault. At the moment we are waiting for Sales to allow us to raise the bonnet so as to add to the height of the radiator but this is limited to the driver's seat on a low seated car. If we go below the starting handle( by passing this through the radiator) we can get more front area with difficulty. It will cost money and weight, and not be of much use under a following wind because the fan cannot act upon it. So that it is physically impossible to do much at the moment to meet the Sales view except that for a given HP. our EAC. engine heats less water, and will therefore be considerably better; also, the radiator has gone up lately, and will again increase in height in 'V' series. Sales remarks of our very high radiator were that it was vulgar and German-like. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||