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).
Various engine design schemes, weighing factors like size, weight, and parts interchangeability.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\T\January1929-February1929\ Scan154 | |
| Date | 16th February 1929 guessed | |
| (2) One other little point is the clearances of the units with the upper half. One supposes this would increase in Sch.3. though making several things more bulky. Naturally one thinks L.H. camshafts would be troublesome and it cannot be got over by altering the order of firing. Would any other type of rod (tubular) enable oil trough on present SS{S. Smith} it seems as though it is the big end bolts that would foul. If the L.H. camshafts move out twice the desaxe (Sch.3) could this have oil submerged? I fear Works would not have liked all tappets inclined - awkward for drilling etc. I dread the idea of increasing the bulk in any way because of the weight. We have got it down now and must not let it increase. Any new engine would have to be smaller and lighter fundamentally - Sch. 7. favours this slightly. Supposing Sch. 7. was thought the best does this not ultimately bring both engines with the most interchangeable parts, and the best engine also when we have opportunity to alter R.H. to the same, although it gives us slightly more trouble at the moment than either Sch. 3. or 4. If later on we had an 8 cyl. engine sleeve type. or smaller engine supercharged, as we might, especially to save weight and tax, we should at the moment give ourselves the least trouble and expense in left handing, but this has never been my policy. I prefer to do the work in hand the very best way we know how, and let the future take care of itself. This seems to say Sch.7. I think it would be worth while for you to go to Derby and decide with Mr. Bailey, Mr. Wormald, and Mr. Hives. (I do not think you need worry Mr. Rowledge because it is so influenced by production,) after you have studied the situation somewhat furtheron the drawingboard at WW. You have my idea which is I should feel more content if Sch. 7. were adopted, but 3. or 4. are possible alternatives. So much depends upon whether Works prefer indirect drive (Silver Ghost.) R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||