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).
The second test of the Spectre (1st Production) engine, detailing performance issues and proposed modifications.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 91\1\ scan0044 | |
| Date | 8th August 1935 | |
| To E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c.c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c.c. to RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} c.c. to Mr. Turner. +300 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Swdl.{Len H. Swindell}15/KW.8.8.35. SpectreCodename for Phantom III (1st Production). We have now completed a second test of this unit, which has been returned to the works. Engine up to power obtained on previous experimental engines under the same conditions and developing a maximum of 186 B.H.P. at 3500 r.p.m. We suspect that the big ends (lead bronze) are still on the tight side as the engine will not maintain its power at the high speeds for more than 2 mins. The timing gears whine: this is unusual as previous units have had very quiet gears. Piston knocks when cold which quieten off as the engine warms up. The following modifications apply to all units to be built, including the one for the next 10,000 miles test. There are in conjunction with the first report on this unit, Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Swdl.{Len H. Swindell}1/WJ.30.7.35, and the memo. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Swdl.{Len H. Swindell}5/WJ.31.7.35. (1) Although the engine is still overoiling after idling, it has been appreciably improved by blanking up the four .031" dia. holes in the grooves of the rocker bushes E.86834. This feed flooded the valve stems and was being sucked into the cylinder. We should be better off for top overoiling if the oil level standing on the head could be lowered. Will you please delete these four .031" dia. holes from the drawings, as there is still an adequate supply to the valve stems with these blanked off. | ||