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 thud in a car, discussing performance tests on Brockley Hill and potential solutions.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 47\1\ Scan282 | |
| Date | 20th May 1926 guessed | |
| 2. It is very probable that the performance will improve with further running of the car and it is possible that even a very small improvement will cause a great difference in the cars performance up Brockley Hill, which is just the criticial test for a Silver Ghost and on which, in this case, the car's performance is judged, as Mr. Thomas lives just beyond it. The action advisable would seem to be either to write, or preferably for an officer of the Inspection Department to interview Mr. Thomas and explain that we cannot combine the maximum of every virtue in a single chassis and that it is for him to choose whether he prefers the high performance and accompanying thud, or the absence of thud with the performance he has at present, which we cannot agree is lower than our standard. There is one other aspect of this case. This engine thud was probably the greatest trouble of the Silver Ghost. It shows signs of being a trouble with the Phantom. I do not think its real genesis is known; at all events how it can be cured is unknown. X It should be in the forefront of an experimental production programme to find the cause and determine (a) The cure and (b) The necessary conditions of manufacture to avoid it. This engine would be admirable for this experimental work and I understand there is at least one other Silver Ghost engine at 'W' ex. a Trials Car, when these were converted to New PhantomCodename for PHANTOM Is, which could be appropriated in lieu and which in all probability from its former duty will be of superior quality as regards smoothness and power. You might therefore, consider it worth while, in our interests to offer to change this engine. CWB. CWE ----------------- | ||