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).
Chassis assessment and issues found following a visit to Oxford.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 118\1\ scan0334 | |
| Date | 18th March 1941 | |
| To: Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Wym.{G. Harold Whyman - Experimental Manager} from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/FJH.{Fred J. Hardy - Chief Dev. Engineer} (Handwritten Notes): c.c Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Hyman Your Comments Please (Please Return File) File 1022 Wmy (Typed): Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/FJH.{Fred J. Hardy - Chief Dev. Engineer}1/RH.{R. Hollingworth}18.3.41. VISIT TO OXFORD WITH 1.R.I. 17.3.41. We give below our comments on the above chassis for inclusion in the log book. The tyre pressures when the chassis was taken over were 28 lbs/sq.in. in both fronts and 21 lbs/sq.in. in both rears. These pressures did not give a favourable impression of the car's controllability. There was no tyre pump on the car. The engine would not start from cold. This was eventually found to be due to the carburetter choke not closing completely and a start was obtained by removing the air intake bend and holding the choke closed while pushing the starter button. The gearbox makes loud crunching noises when cold and an intermittent high pitched hiss when hot. The crunching noise sounds like either broken balls or rollers, or the governor pump drawing in air. Is the oil level low? No explanation of the high pitch hiss could be thought of apart from a bearing outer race turning in its housing. Second speed synchro is unreliable. The clutch is inclined to slip and jaggers very badly to the accompaniment of loud rattles from the gearbox. The apparently heavy flywheel on this car makes the work of the clutch harder, as one seldom has the patience to wait for the engine to slow down when changing up. The brakes are not up to B.V. standard and are in need of adjustment. An attempt was made to do this, but was unsuccessful, as the rears were sticking on. The servo has a light high pitched squeak. The ride gives the impression of harshness at the rear end resulting in numerous body and chassis rattles. This harshness appears to be caused by rear axle patter due to ineffectiveness of the rear dampers. Are the dampers short of oil or have they excessive leak?. The performance is, of course, poor and is not helped by prolonged flatness of the carburetion on pick-up. The maximum speedometer reading on the level is 74 m.p.h. 4 gallons of petrol were added. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/FJH.{Fred J. Hardy - Chief Dev. Engineer} | ||