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).
Modifications to the carburettor and float chamber on the 3 1/2 litre Bentley to address fire risks.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 3\6\ 06-page175 | |
| Date | 11th May 1934 | |
| GWH{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} W/S. To - S. from E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. Mr. POT. Mr. Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} Mr. AP. Mr. Jan. Sft.{Mr Swift}Hd.{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy} Fires on 3½ litre Bentley. ------------------------- Referring to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}12/WJ.9.5.34, in view of the S.U. Company accepting responsibility we see no reason to object to their proposal to supply drain pipes provided they are satisfactory in all respects. In the scheme we have issued - Lec.3911, the float chamber connections to the air inlet pipe have been arranged to prevent the spray chamber depression affecting the float chamber balance. This scheme calls for two new float chamber lids together with a pipe connecting to the air inlet. With regard to the hand flooding devices generally, these were left off some time ago on R.R. carburetters at the instance of the Experimental Department as being no longer required, but if it is now considered that this policy was mistaken we agree the Bentley flooder should be retained. We think however the flooder should be rendered as petrol tight as possible, which could be done by substituting a sleeve in place of the present split pin, the sleeve bedding on a countersunk face in the lid.{A. J. Lidsey} This would also prevent the flooder fouling the float and causing flooding which may happen now in some cases should the split pin be trapped with one end against the lid.{A. J. Lidsey} We propose applying a flooding device to the 20/25 S.U. carburetter to be consistent, and to fit it with a screwed milled cap on the outside. Personally I am fully in agreement with providing a readily available means of checking the presence of fuel in the float chamber. With regard to the question of fire danger generally, we do not think that it is sufficient to say that petrol can no longer escape and therefore all is safe, but we think that | ||