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).
Performance and characteristics of graphite bronze clutch facings.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 89\4\ scan0269 | |
| Date | 19th February 1938 | |
| W/K.{Mr Kilner} To Pk/KC. from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/NRC.{N. R. Chandler} c. GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} [Handwritten] 261 see 1163 for letter to P. Dykes Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/NRC.{N. R. Chandler}1/MH.{M. Huckerby}19.2.38. GRAPHITE BRONZE CLUTCH FACINGS. Thanks for PK/KC/DPB/17.2.38. This is evidently a case where the original synchro. sleeve, without damping plunger, accentuates the audible effect of any slight variation in turning effort, giving the impression of a slight snatch or judder which otherwise might not be apparent. Can you say that replacing the Bronze by RAD.11 has definitely improved matters? Because, if this is so, the inference is that RAD.11 has a slightly smoother pick-up than Bronze, and while we realize this possibility, we certainly do not regard Bronze as a potential "jaggerer", any tendency in this direction is far more than outweighed by its greatly increased life in the hands of a confirmed clutch slipper, our dynamometer tests indicate an increased life of between 5 and 7 to one. We appreciate that Mr.Dykes is not a clutch slipper and no doubt Ferodo will be perfectly satisfactory in his case. It is interesting to note that the Bronze facings show no sign of wear in 3,000 miles. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/NRC.{N. R. Chandler} P.S. If Mr.Dykes continues to complain why not ask him to pay for anti-rattle plungers. | ||