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).
Performance issues, including radiator movement and a 'boom' at 60 MPH, with proposed solutions and tests for car 1-WJ.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 19\3\ Scan304 | |
| Date | 23th April 1930 | |
| From Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} To Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} x7772. Hsl/RJ.23/4/30. The car is going fairly well. The obvious worst features are: 1) The radiator movement. 2) The boom at 60 M.P.H. Above 60 M.P.H. the engine gets smooth again, and at very high speeds one would not complain about it. As regards tackling the problem of the radiator movement, we shall have to keep 1-WJ car until we have found a solution. It is going to be very difficult for us to make any recommendations to you as regards what modifications are necessary to overcome this fault. We suggest that, in order to finally prove whether any increase in frame stiffness is likely to be any use, we should bolt the engine solid on all four feet, in addition to the extra stiffness in the front. Another line I think we ought to work on is to confirm once again that the chassis is entirely free from this complaint. We ought, if necessary, to take the body off 1-WJ and confirm this point. We should then drop the body on without fixing it in any way, and see what happens. Another experiment which may be worth trying is to take all the rubber packings out of the sub-frame mounting and mount it solid. This should practically cancel our sub-frame. The steering on the car is not too bad, but of course we are still running with the tyre pressures high. The performance on the car I should say is poor. When we get to Le CanadelHenry Royce's French residence we will be able to make some comparison tests with 18-EX. I shall be glad if you would send on any information or reports to Le CanadelHenry Royce's French residence. You can assume that we shall be there until May 1st. If necessary, you can wire on any information. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||