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 performance, mileage, and issues of a clutch, overdrive gearbox, and propellor shaft.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 97\5\ scan0202 | |
| Date | 2nd June 1939 | |
| -4- Long Centrifugal Clutch with Thermoid Facings. The operation was generally satisfactory and preferred to present standard. The original plate completed 40,834 miles. It was spoiled by oil which leaked from the gearbox. The springs in the flexible centre broke up. This is an isolated failure of a well tried standard piece and no action is at present regarded as necessary. The replacement clutch plate completed 16,789 miles without giving any trouble. Overdrive Gearbox 2.B.III. The gearbox completed 50,300 miles and the only mechanical failure was the needle roller bearings for the lay-shaft. This made the gearbox rather noisy but did not affect the running. The trouble had already been found in the dynamometer and dealt with by substituting roller bearings for needle rollers. Some troubles with the operation of the synchromesh were experienced but these have already been satisfactorily dealt with on more recent gearboxes. The new servo gave consistent results after some detail modifications to exclude water had been carried out, and the V.G.90 lining was better for freedom from squeaks than any previous servo linings. The clattering of the gear lever in the gate, complained of on the first test, was satisfactorily overcome by the GB.3948 rubber buffer on the gear lever shaft and by the high rear torque reaction member. The oil used in the gearbox was Castrol XL.30. Propellor Shaft. There was a vibration between 50 and 60 m.p.h. which varied in intensity with up and down movements of the car. Tests at Derby have shown this to be due to an incorrect transmission line which has been put right. Cont'd.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} | ||