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 failure of a Spectre engine, detailing an oil leak, a broken exhaust valve, and bearing wear.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 91\4\ scan0213 | |
| Date | 21th August 1935 | |
| X300a HOTEL DE FRANCE, CHATEAUROUX, Indre. France. GWH{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}/3/JAB 21st August 1935. To. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} From. G.W.H. 3. S. I. SPECTRECodename for Phantom III. We had been held up since breakfast time, finding an oil leak into the water system which was eventually traced to the oil Radiator. The failure was the cracking of three tube seams at the bottom. The failure of the Engine occurred after we had dismantled the oil cool Radiator. Upon dismantling the Engine this morning, we found the cause was due to N° 5 Exhaust Valve in A Block having broken the head off. This is the same Cylinder that failed last time. We understood that solid Valves had been sent out, but the breakage shows them to be drilled. We found upon oil testing the Crankshaft, that N° 2 main jurnal bearing was leaking very bad. Upon dismantling same, we found that the white metal had almost all broken up. This probably was due to N° 2 rod seizing previously. N° 5 Valve sent will have to be changed. WEAR OF CONNECTING ROD BEARING. The most wear has taken place on the plate rod bearing. We can feel a fair amount of slackness in all these rods. The fork bearings do not show excessive wear. We sent you a telegram this morning to hold up Pattinson and Walsh, so that if anything was needed, they could bring it out. Upon finally dismantling the Engine, we came to the conclusion that with new Exhaust Valves and Cutting tools, we could get the Engine running again in time to meet Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} We shall be able to do this, providing Pattinson lands here on Thursday with the new Valves and Cutting tools. We are right up against excessive over-oiling with the new Pistons fitted. G.W.Hancock G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} W. H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} | ||