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).
Failure of PH.III water pumps due to solder from the radiator, with proposed solutions.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 149a\1\ scan0085 | |
| Date | 12th March 1937 | |
| To E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Std. c. to Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to Es. c. to RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} 1269. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Std.10/AP.12.3.37. FAILURE OF PH.III. WATER PUMPS DUE TO SOLDER FROM RADIATOR BECOMING LODGED BETWEEN ROTOR AND CASING. Several complaints of this trouble have been received and having investigated the matter, we are satisfied that no effort is spared on Production to prevent loose solder getting into the bottom tank, and to remove any that does so. As a certain amount of solder is found to run through into the tank with our present method of hand soldering, and this may shake loose in time, we recommend that the following measures are adopted to overcome the trouble. (a) A filter gauze to be fitted to the pump inlet nozzle - 35.EX. car has completed 10,000 miles in France with such a gauze fitted - it took the form of a simple gauze cup pushed over the inlet nozzle and held in position by the rubber hose and clip, (sample of similar cup attached). No complaints have been received and we are awaiting a confirmatory report from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GWH{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}/LMW. on the state of the gauze. Tests on a test bed engine show that the gauze has no appreciable effect on the water flow of the engine. We think therefore that this feature could be standardised immediately, and will issue a Standardisation Sheet for same - an alternative scheme would be to incorporate the gauze in the radiator bottom connection joint washer ( as per attached sample). (b) The bottom tank should be affixed to the matrix by dipping it complete with the matrix block when the latter is made. Messrs Marstons are prepared to undertake this immediately, and have supplied us with a specimen unit which we are running on the bumper rig, commencing almost at once. This method should show a definite saving in cost - we are ascertaining the amount in question. As soon as the specimen unit has successfully completed its bumper test we think that this method of attachment of the bottom tank should be standardised. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Std. | ||