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).
Letter to Buick's Chief Engineer discussing inline-eight engine designs, bearing configurations, and horsepower curves.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 174\2\ img241 | |
| Date | 7th March 1938 | |
| Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}6/R 7th March, 1938 C. Chayne, Esq., Chief Engineer, Buick Motor Co., Flint, MICHIGAN. U.S.A. Dear Mr. Chayne, We have been looking at the drawings of the in-line eight engine which Sparrow has produced for Studebakers. We are wondering whether you are envious of the expensive pieces to which he has helped himself. Do you feel nine bearings are justified by the improved engine smoothness, and would you fit them to your unit if you were not already in production with something different? It occurs to me that nine main bearings may cause high oil temperature, but they ought to permit of reduced bearing loads and a lighter crankshaft; on the other hand, the crankcase would be heavier. As a matter of interest I am sending you some curves showing the horse power we are getting out of the overhead camshaft engine with two inlets and one exhaust, compared with the standard push rod engine. Yours sincerely, | ||