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).
Test failures of a 20-HP model, detailing issues with the battery box and lubrication system, and proposing solutions.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 27\1\ Scan021 | |
| Date | 23th January 1929 | |
| To: Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} From: G.W.H. Hôtel de France Châteauroux, Indre. January 23rd. 1929. Re the 20-HP. The battery box has given way during the latter part of the test. This has occurred where the bracket is attached to box for stay to (rear shock-absorber or frame). It has pulled the piece of metal out of the box. The design of the battery box supports should be made the same as the S.S. which shows no sign of weakness. The stay to radiator from dash has again broken. The lubrication pipe from junction on frame to the water pump has again pulled out of the joint. This let the lubrication system down as all the oil was lost from this joint. We have fitted a copper pipe temporarily with a loop in it to allow for the movement of the engine in the frame, also of frame. We examined the lubrication of the springs and shackle pins front and rear, and found that they showed signs of not receiving oil in the latter stage of the test through the breaking of the aforesaid pipe. We are running the car for test purposes and consumption tests and shall again examine the lubrication. We pointed this fault out in our previous report also the failing of the pedal bearings, and gave you what we thought a true account of the lubrication generally on the 20-HP. All the lubricated parts were examined as far as possible and our attitude was that the lubrication, excepting the parts mentioned, was very good. It came as a surprise when you say there has been no reports on the lubrication of the 20-HP. A full examination of the 20-HP will have to wait until the completion of the S.S. We have not left any stone unturned in the examination of the S.S. lubrication system. We fully realize the importance of it. What more can we do? The oil used was recommended and with all due respects to the Bijur people a summer and a winter oil will have to be used, also will you please ask them to inform you how it will be possible for the pump to take from 5 to 10 minutes to return to normal position, when the capacity of the pump is 11 to 12 ozs. or approx. 260 drops, our total drops per min. used are approximately 222. 5 minutes would require 1110 drops or 47 c.c choose what oil is used or what temperature the oil is, if the drops per min. are kept correct. We agree that one charge before starting the engine of a morning would be very good. We have operated the pump just before coming in, my views being that such places as the spring and shackle bearings and all moving parts would have a chance of the oil being worked round by the movement of the car. A charge every 100 miles can do no harm for owners who do not travel far, but even then we should advise two charges as the pipe lines do not keep full. Will you please note pipe lines do not keep full, the manu-facture of the bijur drip plugs retaining valves are not to be relied upon. When an owner is touring we say 200 miles of the charge is ample. We are sending sketches of how the drain pipes on the rear axle of the S.S. should be made to avoid becoming choked with dirt, etc. G.W.H. | ||