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).
Development issues including spark plugs, oil consumption, brakes, exhaust, engine mounting and ride quality.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 82\4\ scan0367 | |
| Date | 28th August 1936 | |
| -7- Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}1/KW.28.8.36. Sparking Plug Trouble on Ethyl Fuel. This is a most elusive problem and is having serious attention. We are co-operating with the Ethyl Corporation in the U.S.A. So far we have not found a cure. Oil Consumption. Though the Bentley oil consumption is just about good enough to avoid complaints, we are not satisfied with it. We are undertaking a comprehensive research to enable us to use thin oil with a plentiful supply to the cylinder walls, and simultaneously raise the oil consumption to 1500 miles to the gallon. The results so far indicate that this can be achieved. Brakes - Simplification and reduction of Cost. A complete set of Girling brakes with simplified front axle are now on test. Reduction of Exhaust System Costs. The development of a cheaper and lighter exhaust system is now almost completed. Engine Mounting. The Terraplane type of engine mounting now running on 6-B-IV in France undoubtedly give a smoother engine unit. It may raise problems in connection with stability and steering column movement, however, which will be investigated in France. We have another experimental engine mounting on test. Improved Ride on the Bentley. We have come up against all sorts of difficulties in trying to get a better ride on the Bentley with conventional suspension. When we reduced the shock absorber loading to take advantage of the soft front suspension, we ran into axle tramp. We have now completed the axle with the shock absorbers moved out, which is being fitted to 5-B-IV as a final experiment to see whether we can do anything to pass a better ride on to the public with the existing type of suspension. The stiff frame | ||