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).
Letter detailing preliminary notes and concerns regarding the installation of a 'Sydney Machine' engine.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 165\4\ img071 | |
| Date | 28th May 1930 | |
| X/1350. Station Hotel, Brough. 28.5.30. EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} Dear Sir, Re. SYDNEY MACHINE. I have only had time to make a general survey of the engine installation of above, but append a few preliminary notes on same. This is exceptionally complicated. For the time being, however, I prefer merely to draw your attention to the fact that the lay out demands the petrol pump to lift the fuel 7 ft. while at the same time there is practically no head of pressure above pump. Unless these engines have been supplied with a special relief valve spring in pump, I am afraid that this will be necessary. The usual Max. 1 lb. I believe would hardly give any pressure at all. Will you please enquire into this and, if any change is necessary, let me have them as soon as possible. There are apparently well founded rumours that the engines are to be fitted with gas starters (of the air bottle type) Could you please make enquiries about this also and let me have any bits we are to supply. There is so much to do that one would like to get these fitting jobs done before it is necessary to part with Sharples. This is going to be a very big job and is highly advanced experimentally. I can see difficulties bristling everywhere, therefore I shall need all the help I can get at Derby end to deal expeditiously with any requisitions. The Air intakes are of a very irregular shape, with a nasty sharp bend in piping near Carb. flange. I presume however that Lr.{Mr Ellor} has seen drawing of same - if he has not he ought to. The engine revolution indicators are electrical and quite new to me. They are supplied by The Record Electrical Co. Ltd. Manchester. Have we had any experience of these instruments on test bed recently? If not, would it be possible to obtain one of same from the A.M. and obtain some running experience with it? We have no reason to trust the accuracy and reliability of any electric speed recorder that I have ever used, and as there will be no boost gauges fitted, which would act as a check against speed alteration, I think we ought to CONTD: [Handwritten notes in left margin]: Rg{Mr Rowledge} on By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} hr. EFC Will you please deal with this HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} [Handwritten notes in right margin]: We are sending correct springs to meet these conditions These are not fitted & we have no instructions. | ||