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).
Numbered list of technical considerations and proposed modifications for various vehicle components.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 91\1\ scan0516 | |
| Date | 20th August 1937 | |
| -2- Con'td. (3) A 12-cylinder ignition with two contact breakers could be arranged so that the failure of one contact breaker would not prevent the car getting home, and two coils with a changeover switch should reduce the chance of a breakdown on the roadside, due to an electrical failure, to negligible proportions. (4) If the cast crank was successful, it might be fitted with (5), or alternatively, any modification which would reduce the cost of this component. (5) The crankshaft with Packard type balance weights might be expected to show a reduction in cost and is certainly lighter. (6) Reductions in cost to the valve gear are already in hand. (7) The flywheel wants more inertia, and experiments are already in hand on this point. We do not think that our present 13" clutch is justified, as all American cars of similar type use 12". The 13" clutch is likely to ruin our chance with the small cones on the universal box. (8) We doubt if there will be any justification for the oil cooler now that we have got an overdrive, and this item can be deleted. The present filtering system is hopeless, and should be replaced by a by-pass filter. (9) The engine mounting really needs bringing in line with our other cars, but the final form of this may be dictated by circumstances. We know that it is very difficult to get a raised front engine mounting with an exhaust system which comes forward. The cylinder heads ought to have the water cooled exhaust bends taken out of them if it is at all possible, as this makes us use a larger radiator than we like, thereby causing vapour lock. (10) The question of the new Stromberg carburetter has to be considered. Tool costs are going to be about £1200, and at the present rate of production of P.III. such a large tool cost has to be given serious consideration. continued | ||