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).
Risk of accidents from backfires when starting cars and the need to fit a self-starter.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 61b\3\ scan0081 | |
| Date | 20th August 1920 | |
| R.R. 199 (250T) (SD676 19-7-17) MP 180865 X.873 6027 To HM.{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} from R.{Sir Henry Royce} Copy to CJ. " " Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} " " Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} " " EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} " " Pn.{Mr Northey} " " H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} " " R.R. of America Inc. (For the attention of Oy.) X.873 X.3558 RE SELF STARTERS. X 3199 X.2874 Undoubtedly we must, in view of the risk of accident by backfires in starting the car, be able to fit a self starter to the earlier R.R. Cars. This matter is in the hands of Mr. Day, as we have not the drawings of the whole chassis here, and also have such a considerable amount of work in hand. It will be remembered, however, that there are several ways in which a pre-ignition can occur, as has been found at West WitteringHenry Royce's home town. We have had pre-ignitions on the magnetos that are fitted with long cams. Also, if the period of make on the low tension contact maker was very much lengthened by screwing the contact screw far in. You will also remembered that I have pointed out that the Remy and Delco ignition invariably backfire in one tries to get over a compression and fails to do so. The break then occurs on the make position of the cam, which is altogether too early for the timing of the distributor. (This we have overcome in the present R.R. non-trembler ignition) Therefore, should a failure occur with the self starter of an ordinary American car the Delco & Remy systems are dangerous to start by hand. Contd. | ||