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).
Field report from Chateauroux, France, detailing multiple connecting rod and bearing failures.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 71\4\ scan0196 | |
| Date | 9th May 1925 | |
| +8940 Hotel de France, Chateauroux. Indre. France. GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}1/Crn.9.5.25. To: "HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}" From: G.W.Hancock. ----------------- We wired you this morning, as follows :- Number six conrod big end gone Number one metal loose unsafe stop Number four metal cracked in cap stop To continue test we require two new rods for high speeds - Hancock. (Handwritten: Failing of connecting rods bearings on 98NR following report from Chateauroux) Examination of conrods shews No. 6 rod flange broken away altogether, metal cracked all over, and has run. No. 1 rod, sections of flange broken off, metal is loose in cap, is cracked, and has run. This bearing could be made to run temporarily. No. 2 rod is O.K. No. 3 rod - there is a slight crack in rod bearing. No. 4 - bearing is cracked rather badly. No. 5 is O.K., but some foreign matter has scored a groove round it. Oil pressures when rods went was 15 to 20 lbs., but on the morning's run, the oil pressure dropped to 7 1/2 lbs., due to some foreign matter getting underneath the main oil valve. This was put right during the dinner hour. Pressure when the car went out was 25 lbs. We hope to have received instructions by the time you receive this. G.W.Hancock. P.S. Big end knock noticed after 200 miles on afternoon's run. Total mileage of No. 6 rod is 12,685. Mileage of No. 1 rod, and No. 2 rod is 7,238. Nos. 3,4 & 5 mileage is 12,685. | ||