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).
Experimental engine programme and the rationalisation of production tools.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 148\2\ scan0259 | |
| Date | 25th October 1939 | |
| -3- Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}6/JH.25.10.39. Nevertheless every motor car manufacturer with whom we have contacted recently is carrying on with experimental programmes and the majority have not yet stopped production. (D) EXPERIMENTAL ENGINE PROGRAMME. We have so far made only 3¼" bore high power engines in 6 and 8 cylinder types. The following engines still have to be produced to complete the projected rationalised range. 8 cyl. 3¼ bore. 4.7 litres. R.A.C. 34.0 6 cyl. 3½ bore 3.2 litres. R.A.C. 25.4 4 cyl. 3½ bore 2.8 litres. R.A.C. 19.6 4 cyl. 3 bore 2.1 litres R.A.C. 14.4 All these engines use the same pieces except for the cylinder block, head and bottom half. The most important are the 6 cyl. 3½ litre and the 4 cyl. 2.1 litre which will be required to make the fully rationalised Ripple and Ripplette respectively. The experimental patterns for the 8 cyl. 3¼ bore engine are very nearly complete. (E) PRODUCTION TOOLS. RATIONALISED. We believe that generally speaking production tools were well advanced, but are not sure that they are complete. It seems of the utmost importance that they should be completed. In particular we believe that no tooling has been done on the cast iron high power engines. Both 6 and 8 3¼" bore specifications have been released, though it was not intended to bring them in on production until 6 months after the introduction of B.V. No production patterns are available for these units nor jigs and tools. We recommend that these should be put in hand forthwith. The engine is a better unit then the present aluminium type fitted to B.V. and very much cheaper to produce. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||