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).
Letter comparing the performance of Borg & Beck clutches with Long type clutches, detailing issues with jaggering and vibration.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 146\1\ scan0126 | |
| Date | 8th December 1937 | |
| W.A.Robotham, Esq., Park Leys, DUFFIELD, Derbyshire. Handwritten notes in top right: CHANDLER (crossed out), file, Bentley Handwritten note in top center: 1245 Handwritten note on right margin: See me Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Dear Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}, I hasten to inform you of what I think an important item, i.e. that the Borg & Beck clutch plate, fitted with Thermoid facings, does not appear as efficient as the 10" Long type clutch plate, fitted with Thermoid facings. 'En effet', we have two cars here fitted with Long type - Pierre Louis DREYFUS, and Princesse Guy de POLIGNAC. I tried both these cars, and I was delighted with the excellent results obtained with the Long type clutch. Both these customers have been in touch with me to express their delight with the absolute remedy obtained with this new type of clutch as regards clutch jaggers. On the other hand, my 'demo', B.35 KU, and another customer's car, M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Favier, have both been fitted with the Borg & Beck type of clutch. I was on the point of writing to you to inform you that my clutch still jaggers, especially when in reverse, and that a propellor shaft rattle can also be set up when throwing out the clutch, also that, for some reason or other, when accelerating away from low speeds on top gear, the engine seems to oscillate much more on its mountings, with disagreeable effects. These impressions were confirmed to me by M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Favier, who rang me up after having had his car for approximately 8 days, who informed me that the clutch was not definitely cured, and that there were oscillations which he had never experienced before. Do you know anything about this ? Do you think that in view of the remarkable results obtained with the Long type clutch, one should fit these, and not the Borg & Beck type ? Sr [Handwritten initial 'h'] | ||