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).
Design and condition of pedals, engine feet, and the gearbox.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 81\2\ scan0172 | |
| Date | 7th October 1924 | |
| OyS-E-10724 -6- October 7, 1924 (9) Pedals (cont'd.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary}) The bottom stop for the accelerator pedal is the floorboard which is attached along its upper edge to the bottom of the dash. The boards were found to be very rigid fastened in this way and supported at either end on the dash brackets. No metal on the floorboards is in contact with the foot and therefore there is no heat to the sole of the foot. This was done by following the new Derby drawings of the pedals having round shanks passing through small holes in the boards instead of slots. The front seat of the car is very cool, more so we believe than similar cars of this power. (9a) (See drawings marked No.8) Engine Feet. These are H section forgings shown on accompanying details. For test the foot was made as a steel casting. (10) Gearbox. (See prints #10). This is essentially the same as the old 3 speed box in distribution and dimensions of gears, etc. The side shaft is on the right hand side for convenience in operating the starter and pedal mechanism. All gears are ground. The operation is copied from the Goshawk but with the simplified mounting for the interlock plate which Mr. Royce gave us during our visit. The addition of the gate was also covered with Mr. Royce during our visit and is in accordance with his recent patent. The provision of this gate, which prevents all heavy stress from falling on the interlock plate, we consider to be invaluable, as the interlock plate, sliding in the aluminum, shows no sign of even having borne heavily on its guide. Inspection of the gearbox shows practically no signs of wear on any part. The condition of the ball bearings is definitely better than we have seen in a similar distance on other boxes and suggests that no appreciable slack would occur in at least 50,000 miles. After sandblasting, the inside of the box was given a coat of red "Engenamel", the pyroxilin lacquer made by Duponts. This coating is unchanged at the end of the test. It makes the gearbox much easier to clean, and is therefore largely responsible we believe for the good condition of bearings and the cleanness of the oil. The speeds are more silent than our standard. Reverse is as quiet as first or second. We believe this is due to a combination of all gears being ground and the fact that the direction of rotation | ||