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 with engine tappets, gearbox, brakes, and steering for various car models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 4\1\ 01-page280 | |
| Date | 11th March 1936 | |
| -3- We have asked Design to alter the silent tappet mechanism so that we have the same eccentric ratio as the Cadillac and Phantom. At present the silent tappet eccentrics are more likely to stick on the SpectreCodename for Phantom III than on the Phantom. So far we have had no few engines that we have had to nurse them. We badly require sufficient spares to justify endurance running to prove reliability. We have proved to our satisfaction on both SpectreCodename for Phantom III cars at present on the road that a respectable standard of slow running can be obtained without the silent tappets being in operation. At the moment the hydraulic tappets spoil the slow running, we are investigating this. The accessibility of the carburetters in the event of anything going wrong, however, is still our chief concern. (3) GEARBOX. We have only one gearbox which we have on the SpectreCodename for Phantom III. It is unsatisfactory both for silence and change speed operation. Here again, our anxiety is to get more boxes so that we can do investigation work. (4) BRAKES. The semi-servo system fitted up on the SpectreCodename for Phantom III 2 car is, as we expected, showing up unsatisfactorily. It is in effect reproducing the Phantom scheme and is therefore a 'safety-first' layout. As we have previously pointed out, it is complicated and not very efficient, and we know that design are trying to simplify it. SpectreCodename for Phantom III 2 has shown, however, that we have had at least one scheme on the car which if necessary could be put into production. (5) STEERING. The American Marles off the La{L. A. Archer} Salle continues to give complete satisfaction. We are anxious to get hold of a Rolls-Royce Marles to see if we reproduce the results. | ||