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).
Engine performance improvements due to correctly sprung automatic ignition advance.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\Q\April1927-June1927\ 54 | |
| Date | 2nd May 1927 | |
| TO Bd.{Mr Berend} FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} C. to GY. HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} RR. PN.{Mr Northey} EFC. JRM. Gerby. ORIGINAL PHANTOM - IGNITION AUTO: ADVANCE. X8685 This engine if properly fitted up will bear a higher compression than other engines exactly like it, for the reason that the RR. auto: advance gives ample advance at the correct speed - i.e. more than necessary to maintain full power. The effect is that on opening out after luffing up to slow speed, the ignition is automatically so well retarded that the engine feels smoother, and is freer from detonation, and the acceleration is better than would otherwise be the case. The early examples were not correctly sprung in the ignition governor. The requisition diagram was correct but was not followed until the Spring of 1926. The 20HP. should be reviwed to see if any improvement is possible. Back Phantoms should be corrected when possible. During the 1925/6 winter season I found this fault, and was much surprised at the wonderful improvement, resulting from its correction in late 1926., and also during the running of 7-EX. this winter. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||