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).
The recurring breakage of the 20 HP exhaust pipe and bracket, with a suggested solution based on the Silver Ghost design.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\Q\2April1927-June1927\ 123 | |
| Date | 23th May 1927 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} c.c. to BJ. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c.c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c.c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} ORIGINAL Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/GWH{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}3/LG23.5.27. 20 HP. 15230 EXHAUST PIPE E.51676 & BRACKET E.53475. The flange of this pipe has broken on every 10,000 miles test. The bottom bracket which was fitted to stop vibrations in the pipe also breaks. The breakage is due to the continual expansion and contractions of the pipe. We find that a right angle bend in an exhaust pipe always causes trouble. The bend in all cases tends to straighten out, and it has been necessary to reset this several times during our tests. We may point out that this trouble did not exist with the Silver Ghost type of exhaust pipe where they went straight down to the sliding joint and we suggest that a similar arrangement be tried on the 20 HP. The breakage of the pipe and bracket is verified by the Repair Dept. who report that 50% of 20 HP. cars in for repair with an average mileage of 25,000 miles, the pipe flange is broken. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/G.W.Hancock. | ||