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 from Wellworthy Piston Rings discussing a recurring Big End Bearing failure on a 6-cylinder diesel engine.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 115\4\ scan0017 | |
| Date | 24th July 1939 | |
| SERVICE DEPOTS LONDON 89 BLACKFRIARS RD. S.E.1 TELEPHONE: WATERLOO 5762-3 172 GT. PORTLAND ST.{Capt. P. R. Strong} W.1 TELEPHONE: MUSEUM 2433 119 LEYTONSTONE RD. STRATFORD E.15 TELEPHONE: MARYLAND 2439 BIRMINGHAM 143 SUFFOLK STREET TELEPHONE: MIDLAND 0638 MANCHESTER 232 DEANSGATE TELEPHONE: BLACKFRIARS 5914 NEWCASTLE MILLICAN'S BUILDINGS, MARKET ST TELEPHONE: 23874 ON ADMIRALTY, WAR OFFICE, AIR MINISTRY, INDIA OFFICE LISTS WELLWORTHY PISTON RINGS LIMITED PISTON & PISTON RING SPECIALISTS LYMINGTON HANTS WORKS & HEAD OFFICE: STANFORD RD DIRECTORS: G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} ALEXANDER J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} W. HOWLETT C. B. KAY P. WALDEN C. W. WATERS A.{Mr Adams} J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} WOOLCOTT OUR REF FB/CJR. Ext.26. SERVICE DEPOTS LIVERPOOL 45 RENSHAW ST.{Capt. P. R. Strong} TELEPHONE: ROYAL 5786 LEEDS 82 WOODHOUSE LANE TELEPHONE: 25774 CROYDON 246 HIGH STREET TELEPHONE: 6121-2 SOUTHAMPTON 17 PORTSWOOD ROAD TELEPHONE: 74778 HULL 285 ANLABY ROAD TELEPHONE: 15312 CANTERBURY 21 & 22 ROSE LANE TELEPHONE: CANTERBURY 2456 TELEPHONE: LYMINGTON 520 (5 LINES) TELEGRAMS: WELLWORTHY CODE: MARCONI YOUR REF [Handwritten text] 1020a File C.T.S 24th July, 1939. Dict. 22.7.39. W. Robotham Esq., Messrs. Rolls-Royce, Limited, Derby. [Handwritten annotation over text] It seems to me this bearing has been shying on its backing + pounding much to cause it to seize partially Pm Dear Mr. Robotham, We have experienced our second failure on Big End Bearings on a 6-cyl. engine (Diesel) which was designed this year by Mr. Milne of Dennis Bros. According to his reckoning the Bearing load does not exceed 1200 lb per square inch, but it is difficulty, in view of this statement, to imagine how the Bearing could squeeze out endwise as they have done unless the load were much higher than this figure which has been quoted. Further, on their 4-cyl. Diesel engine, the Big End Bearing load is known to be slightly higher, yet they have never experienced trouble on that engine. Lubrication both as regards the layout of the lubricating system, oil pressures, quantities etc. are the same on both engines, relative of course to the Bearing areas. Hardness of Bearings and analyses are the same on both engines - this has been carefully checked, and we should like your opinion, and also perhaps Mr. Hall might like to give his opinion on the material, and you might have something to suggest as either the cause of the trouble or a means of overcoming it. Up to date we have made some Bearings with the Silicon content up to the maximum and the Brinell hardness of 82-85, with a view to preventing this spreading of Bearings. We will advise you of any results we obtain with this | ||