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).
Main bearing fatigue due to hard driving versus a separate manufacturing defect on chassis B.84-MX.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 100\3\ scan0101 | |
| Date | 10th July 1939 | |
| Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GWH{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} (K) c. Pk. Mx{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer}/SB{Mr Bull/Mr Bannister}12/MG.10.7.39 CHASSIS NO. B.84-MX{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} L.Appleton Esq Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}1/N.4.7.39 [STAMPED: JUL 11 A.M. 1939] The main bearings returned show extraordinary signs of fatigue considering they have only been on the car a year, and we entirely agree that there is every indication that the engine has been flogged. The fact that the Owner has run 21,000 miles in a year shows that the car is driven pretty hard, and the previous history proves conclusively the sort of treatment the car gets. On the face of it, the mileage seems short to justify new main bearings, and the Owner will doubtless object when he is asked to pay, but we agree that a stand should be made against this sort of driving, and he should pay for the wear and tear he causes. It is noticed that one big end has a large piece of white metal missing. This is a rather different issue, since it is due to faulty adhesion caused by the steel not having been at a sufficiently high temperature to melt the tinning when the white metal was poured. Mx{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer}/SBg | ||