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).
Field report detailing failures of a down pipe, an oil indicator, and oil surge issues during testing.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 83\1\ scan0341 | |
| Date | 13th January 1937 | |
| W.R.M γ 200V HOTEL DE FRANCE, CHATEAUROUX, Indre, France. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GWH{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}/3/JAB. 13th January 1937. To. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Fluecher system instructed for 3.B.D Goodwin 6. B. IV. The down pipe from the manifold to the front silencer broke right off close to the silencer during the afternoon's run of the 12th Jan. It is a clean break, not burnt. A feature which may have a bearing on the failure is, the Fitters did not fasten the stay on to the engine. When we arrived at Châteauroux, we found one bolt missing and one bolt slipped in but no nut on. The distance approximately 500 miles from Derby to here should not however been sufficient to cause a failure. The break occurred quite suddenly, no audible blow, until the breakage. It is past being repaired. We have got a spare front expansion box which was sent out for B.56.BN.{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} With slight modifications to the bend, we can fit it. The failure of the oil indicator is an example of bad work being turned out. The cork float had come adrift through the poor peening over, fastening the aluminium crank to the float. A steel bush is soldered which has a collar to fit the crank on. The under cut of the collar to receive the crank was filled with solder, consequently, the crank would not go on, but despite this an attempt had been made to peen it over. We have had to dismantle the bottom half to make this job good. While doing this, I took the opportunity to fit a baffle to try and stop the surging of oil when braking. During yesterday's run it took from three to five minutes, running slow, for the oil pressure to build up, and loud knocks occurred. This occurred three times when drivers were changing over. The same thing applies after pulling up for petrol, no oil pressure for a considerable time. I have told them, to run the engine slow is fatal, a quick flic-up of the engine regains the pressure quickly but one cannot expect Customers to do this. Therefore as stated, I have fitted a baffle to try and overcome the surge of oil to prevent air gaining admission in the feed pipe. If this does not cure it, I shall obtain a large oil pump from Paris with straight gears. ---------------- G.W.H. Hancock Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} | ||