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).
Progress report on vehicle component testing and issues such as carburation, tyre noise and silent tappets.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 82\4\ scan0372 | |
| Date | 28th September 1936 | |
| -3- Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}14/KW.28.9.36. (11) Radiator Frontal Appearance. Wire grid fitted to 34-EX. We are not very enthusiastic about the result. (12) Erratic Carburation. The accelerator pump trouble appears to be due to a more effective gland which has been fitted by R.R. Ltd. and which is not part of the standard Stromberg carburation. Now that we know what the trouble is, there should be no difficulty in eliminating it. (13) Petrol Vapour Lock. The pump in the frame now on 15,000 miles test seems to be a great improvement. We are hoping to get this scheme fitted to every experimental car, and standardise same at the earliest possible opportunity. (14) Tyre Noise. We have made further tests in London with part worn tyres of the type that has been standardised, to see if groan became objectionable at any time during the life of the tyres. We are satisfied that in a part worn condition groans are reasonable with the rubber fitted between the axle and the spring, as standardised. We also proved that the rubber shackle cut down the small amount of noise present to a negligible quantity, so that this can be applied in cases of complaint. We confirmed again that the Rubber shackle does interfere with the directional stability of the car. (15) Silent Tappets. With the approach of Winter, we have had signs of the hydraulic tappet rocker mechanism sticking when starting up, thereby holding the valves open. Owing to the cold chamber being delayed, we have not been able to work on this problem during the Summer, and it may in consequence prove troublesome. | ||