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).
Vehicle failures including engine, gearbox, and brake issues during a road test.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 108\1\ scan0126 | |
| Date | 27th August 1937 | |
| CHATEAUROUX. Handwritten: 600a Handwritten: To. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Lcs Please discuss items marked RH{R. Hollingworth} 26.G.VI. - 25/30 HP. Just after leaving Waller yesterday afternoon, the exhaust valve head in N° 3 cylinder separated from its stem when running at 80 MPH. The damage done is as follows. 1) A hole to the water jacket in the head. The casting appears to be very thin. 2) A hole in the piston. 3) The cylinder liner is cracked. The car was 30 miles away and had to be towed to Chateauroux where it was found that the sump contained about a gallon of water. We are now blocking up various holes and hope to have a five cylinder motor to-morrow. We shall then try to proceed to Derby. Yesterday, the gear lever sticking in top gear, as previously reported, became far worse. We are expecting every time now that we shall be unable to get out of top gear. If the engine had not failed, it would have been necessary to attend to the gear-box. Due to braking on the way down from the Pic du Midi, the liner in the near side front brake drum has moved .125" across the drum at one place until it was rubbing the carrier plate. The liner on the opposite side of the drum has not moved. SUSPENSION. The general suspension characteristics for a rear seat ride are good. We have been unable to fit the stronger springs and in consequence, the front of the car is continually hitting the buffers. Noise of hitting the buffers is small, but considerable harshness is experienced. I think that in order to prevent hitting buffers, it will be better to use slightly stiffer springs. The present initial combined tyre Handwritten note on left margin: What does P.F.M say | ||