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).
Issues with the radiator and exhaust systems, including overheating, shaking, leaks, and noise.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 109\4\ scan0201 | |
| Date | 10th August 1939 guessed | |
| ( 3 ) RADIATOR. During slow running, water temperature rose to 100°c with air 18°c; fell quickly to around 90°c with quicker idling. Idling figures :- Minutes Water Temp. Air Temp. 6 100°c 20°c 11 104°c 21°c 15 105°c 21°c Water began to drip from overflow pipe when 104°c were attained, probably just water trapped in valve being forced out. At 105°c bubbling was audible in header tank and steam issuing gently from overflow continued without increase for further 5 mins. Temperature fell with faster idling and boiling stopped. Bad sideways shake of radiator and wings, causing bonnet knocks; improved by fitting diagonal stays but this increased the scuttle and dash shake, and showed up sideways shake at bottom of radiator. A harder rubber reduced the side shake at bottom but still required diagonal stays. Further tests and development work has been called for. Gradual loss of water, 4-6 pints per 2,500 miles, not excessive but not B.V. standard. No leaks noticeable. Shutters rattle badly idling or on rough roads, audible in towns. Thermostat given no trouble. Radiator yoke cracked at bottom. Modifications called for. EXHAUST SYSTEM. With normal tail pipe, smell entered body. A similar extension as on B.V. improved this but not 100%. Pipe is in direct line of stones thrown up from rear wheel. It may prove necessary for a local stiffened piece to be welded on. Experience on B.V. production will show this. Tail pipe hiss too noisy and has become worse and booms developed at 15-24 m.p.h. with Buick silencer. This now rattles idling, and it is assumed that it is burnt internally. Manifold cracked underneath between Nos. 3 and 4 ports. | ||