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).
Proposal to modify the Bentley Starter Motor to resolve a flywheel whistle issue by reverting to the 20/25 HP gear ratio.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 62\1\ scan0312 | |
| Date | 18th April 1935 | |
| Handwritten: N6134 WST Is this OK? Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} To W.Cr.{Mr Cra???ster / Mr Chichester} from E/Lid.{A. J. Lidsey} c. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} MX.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} Bentley Starter Motor. In order to overcome flywheel whistle, which is a constant source of complaint on Bentley chassis, we think that we should revert to the 20/25 HP. starter pinion and flywheel gear ratio, at the same time as the geared starter is adopted on production. The effect of this change is to reduce the overall diameter of the flywheel gear ring and by so doing increase the clearance between the gear ring and the crankcase. The gear ratio will be reduced from 17.4:1 to 16:1, but in view of the excellent performance of the 17.4 gear ratio, it is not thought that the reduction to 16 will be at all noticeable. The only alteration required is to use the 20/25 HP. starter motor pinion and flywheel gear ring, both of which are known production parts. The Experimental Department agree that the modification is desirable and will not appreciably affect the working of the self-starter. As this proposal is a modification to production we should be glad to know if you are in agreement with it before we definitely instruct it. E/Lid.{A. J. Lidsey} | ||