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).
Proposal discussing the cost and procedure for drilling extra holes in a crankshaft without removing it from the engine.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 115\3\ scan0198 | |
| Date | 8th March 1938 | |
| - 2 - Continued:- We are satisfied that it is a reasonable and practicable proposition to drill the extra holes without disturbing the crankshaft. It could be done at approximately the same cost as a bottom decarbonisation, i.e., £13:10:0, and we could therefore get Owners to pay for it in many cases. It would be necessary to remove the oiler caps from Nos. 2 and 5 big ends, and to have a fixture to clamp on the crankpin, dowelled by means of the existing oil hole. This fixture would take a portable electric motor to drive, first, a small grindstone to get under the hard skin of the crankshaft, and afterwards a .125 dia. drill. It would be perfectly easy to clean out any shavings or dirt from the crankpins. In the event of it being agreed that the combination of a large oil pump and extra holes in Nos. 2 and 5 big ends would give something like 90% extra protection against big end failure, and you also agree to our going on with the preparation of suitable tools, the costs incurred in dealing with cars in service would be:- (a) If an Owner agrees to a bottom decarbonisation - extra cost to Company for large oil pump and drilling crankshaft............................£3: 0: 0 (b) If top decarbonisation only required - extra cost to Company..........£11: 5: 0 (c) If total cost has to be borne by Company..................................£16:10: 0 In each case this represents a saving of £10 over the present procedure of stripping or removing the engine to drill the crankshaft all over, or a saving of some £8,000 on all the cars affected. Hd{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy}/SB.{Mr Bull/Mr Bannister} | ||