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).
Analysis of issues with Hall's Bearing Alloy, including metal flow and crankshaft scoring.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 115\1\ scan0141 | |
| Date | 19th November 1936 | |
| 1020 Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} a.{Mr Adams} to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to Ey. c. to Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} d.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} to Sr. e.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} to Hl. BEARING POSITION. A.{Mr Adams} HALL'S BEARING ALLOY - GENERAL POSITION. Two troubles have been experienced with this bearing:- (1) Plow of the metal so that the bearing becomes loose in its housing. (2) Scoring of the crankshaft. These troubles have been largely confined to the main bearings. If, however, due to the two troubles mentioned, the slack in the main bearings becomes extensive, then the big end bearings are likely to fail due to shortage of oil. So far this has only taken place on our experimental cars in France. It is, of course, a disastrous occurrence as the connecting rod is likely to smash up the crankcase. One redeeming feature of this main bearing wear is that the engine becomes rough before the shortage of oil to the big end bearings is acute, and if the customer then takes his car into a Depot, the main bearings can be taken up without removing the engine from the frame. This was done on Raymond Mays' car, and we have instructed Paris how to proceed, as we expect that they will be the first to experience trouble. A Depot sheet has also been circulated. In assessing the bearing position in customers' hands, the information we have so far obtained is that Raymond Mays' car, which was driven to the limit, was examined after 22,000 miles. The Trials car had done about the same amount in England, but roughness had not become apparent. Sr's two Demonstration cars which are running continuously under high speed Continental conditions showed signs of distress between 10,000 and 15,000 miles. We have no figure of merit from the ordinary customer yet. (1) HALL'S METAL BEARING. BIG ENDS. On the big end bearing, the development we | ||