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).
Advising against the use of abrasives in engines and detailing cleaning procedures.
Identifier | ExFiles\Box 25\3\ Scan065 | |
Date | 8th March 1921 | |
Contd. -2- RG{Mr Rowledge}/G1 8.3.21. ------------ slow speeds than if they were leaking slightly during compression or propulsion. Concerning the use of an abrasive in the engine, such as Turkey-stone dust, I think this should be very definitely avoided. If any parts such as cylinders or pistons or gear wheels are required to be lapped or gound together, the operation should be performed on a separate jig and every possible care should be taken by very thorough cleaning that the abrasives should not get into the engine. It is impossible to use any abrasive on the engine, and be sure that it did not enter the lubricating oil, or hang about the engine after it was supposed to have been washed away. I therefore condemned the use of all abrasives in or about an engine, and as little as possible should be used in conjunction with the grinding of the valves, because even in this case it will get down the stems and wear the valve spindles and guides, and by possibly/various ways into the lubricating oil. The large percentage of iron in the deposits found in he engine suggests that there was some abrasive in the engine, otherwise, anyone would think that the deposits would be found to be chiefly carbon. It is imperative for new and repaired engines to be extremely carefully cleaned, and to be run with a thin cheap oil which should be continually changed until no grit is found. Care should be taken that no abrasive is left in the white-metalled surfaces of the bearing, and I assume that Mr. Plattfords contd:- 5000 O (12-1-21 "986" H & S) (L.69) V.G.R.-R.R. | ||