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).
Test report on hydraulic damper adjustments, ride quality, and an engine cylinder head issue.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 82\3\ scan0248 | |
| Date | 8th May 1935 | |
| X200a HOTEL DE FRANCE CHATEAUROUX. Indre. France. 8th May 1935. To Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} From G.W.H. 5 B IV. The result of increasing the Hydraulic Damper initial load from 40 lbs. to I00 lbs. up and 80 lbs. down, has made a vast difference to the selectiveness of the steering. The riding of the Car in the rear seats is actually better, because of the absence of the front pitching. We can drive over humps on the road at 50 MPH. without being lifted off the seat, also we do not hit the buffers on the rebound. The Car does certainly ride harder at medium and low speeds with minimum damping, but one prefers it to the continual pitching, also if we had Dunlop cushions, we should obtain a ride similar to that with the Paris trials Car. It is a question of cushions for the finer riding qualities with a speed Car. We have discovered that the engine Cylinder head is actually hitting, and has worn a groove in the dashboard. It is being caused by the torque of the drive twisting the rear Axle, and instead of the Propeller Shaft lengthening by way of the sliding joint (which under load is apparently not working) the engine is pulled backwards. We are making arrangements to measure the movement. ----------- G W H Hancock. G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} W .H. | ||