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).
Investigation into oil buildup issues within the Peregrine engine distributor head during cold starts, causing misfiring.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 61b\2\ scan0203 | |
| Date | 19th May 1933 | |
| To E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Mths.{Reg Matthews} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} OIL IN PEREGRINE DISTRIBUTOR HEAD. We have recently been experiencing trouble when starting up from cold with oil building up in Peregrine Distributor Heads. The units that have been causing trouble are those that have been running for some considerable time and in which the Distributor drive bearings have become worn, the trouble is serious as misfiring occurs owing to the contact points becoming fully submerged in oil. While the bearings are in good condition no oil appears to creep into the distributor head, but by fitting a glass tube at the side we noticed that it was only due to the good fit of the bearings that no oil reached the points, as the level in the glass tube was well above the distributor head. When the oil is hot the level is quite alright but the damage is done during the warming up period as the level rises rapidly with the engine running at as low a speed as 400-500 r.p.m. The main restriction appears to be in the cross drive shaft housing, the holes in the bearing webs do not appear to be large enough to carry the cold release oil away. The oil in the front compartment of the camshaft housing reaches a maximum level of 1 1/4" (approx.) above the top of the 3/4" dia. hole for returning the oil to the lower half of the crankcase, this level is, of course, well below the distributor head, but if the holes in the cross drive housing are increased, then this 3/4" dia. hole, or the hole leading into the next compartment, may have to be increased in order to maintain a respectable level. There appears to be no disadvantage in increasing the size either or even both of these holes. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/R.Matthews. | ||