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).
Superior performance of Lucas magneto contact points and proposing an experiment to test them.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 40\2\ Scan179 | |
| Date | 25th April 1927 | |
| X8793 To Wd.{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead} from EFC. c. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} EFC6/T25.4.27. We have heard a good deal lately from various sources as to the excellent performance of contact points of Lucas magnetos, and it is understood that these points are somewhat special and do exceedingly well. It occurs to us that it would probably be worth while, if it could be arranged, to undertake an experiment with these same points on our battery ignition contact breaker, and we would like you to approach Messrs.Lucas, if you think this advisable, as to whether they could fit say three sets of RR. contact breaker lever and screw point with their special points for test on our bench and on our experimental cars. We do not at present get as good results from contact points as we ought to get, and as I daresay you know, we have in hand at the moment various experimental lines of attack of this problem. The reason for the failure of our own points to do as well as U.S.A. points on U.S.A. equipment is somewhat elusive and still obscure, though it is true that [strikethrough]in the exact material of the points[/strikethrough] experiments have rather indicated that it does not lie in the actual material of the points. Yet, however, it may be the case that exceptionally good points would correct whatever fault may at present constitute the reason for the not too good performance. Mr. Minchin, in a recent letter to me says "I think there is a good deal to be learnt from Joseph Lucas Ltd. re life of points, and that they have hit upon something pretty good recently" He goes on to say that his Lucas magneto continues to operate extremely satisfactorily and he is sure that it is the best one he has ever had. EFC. | ||