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 of the Phantom III engine wheelcase and sump for ease of servicing.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 91\1\ scan0439 | |
| Date | 9th November 1936 | |
| re Iles 200 SWDL.{Len H. Swindell} Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} E.2/HP.9.11.36. Phantom III Engine Gear Front. Referring to Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Swdl.{Len H. Swindell}14/MJ.30.10.36, and the suggestion concerning the wheelcase and bottom half of Phantom III engine, this matter was carefully considered at the time the diameter of the slipper flywheel was increased. We could choose between making it easy to service the engine by dropping the sump without disturbing the wheelcase, or we could favour the dismantling of the flywheel without dropping the sump, to make things easy for timing gear correction. As we are not in favour of the latter operation, and we consider the Phantom III is the engine least likely to require it, we chose the former alternative. In servicing the 25/30 engines we are told that it is sometimes possible to drop the bottom half without tearing the paper joint on the wheelcase. If, however, the paper joint becomes damaged, and it usually does, this means another 12 hours on the job for dismantling the wheelcase. The wheelcase if anything would be more difficult to dismantle on Phantom III, and we, therefore, think that the present standard scheme in which the sump can be detached without disturbing the wheelcase is preferable, with which view RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} is in agreement. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} | ||