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 from Shell-Mex and B.P. Ltd discussing the suitability of Double Shell and Single Shell motor oils for cold starting.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 145\3\ scan0234 | |
| Date | 7th November 1934 | |
| x265 SHELL-MEX BP LTD Telephone: Temple Bar 1234 Telegrams: Shelbeepee, Rand London Telex. SHELL-MEX AND B.P. LTD Distributors for the Shell and Anglo-Persian Oil Groups P.O. BOX NO. 148 . SHELL-MEX HOUSE VICTORIA EMBANKMENT. LONDON. W.C.2 Your Reference. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}17/KW. Our Department T & R.{Sir Henry Royce} LGC/LD. Date 7th November 1934. Messrs. Rolls-Royce Ltd., DERBY. Dear Sirs, For the attention of Mr. Robotham. In reply to your letter of October 30th, we would say that whilst the viscosity curve of our Double Shell is not quite so flat as that of the Price's Motorine M you quote, we feel reasonably certain that the oil will be quite satisfactory for the lubrication of any of your cars under extreme English winter conditions, and that we do not think any difficulty will be experienced in getting the starter-motors to turn the engines quickly enough for easy cold starting. Our experience has led us to believe that viscosity alone is not the sole factor on which the cold starting qualities of a motor oil can be judged, and we would draw your attention to the fact that the cold test or pour point of Double Shell is at least as good as that of any of the competitive oils you have mentioned. If you still have any doubts as to the suitability of Double Shell we would suggest that our Single Shell, having the following characteristics, would be quite suitable, and that it will give easier starting than any of the oils we have discussed. SINGLE SHELL. Viscosity @ 70°F ... 1050 secs. " " 140°F ... 130 " " " 200°F ... 55 " Pour Test ... 15°F Yours faithfully, For SHELL-MEX AND B.P. LTD., LG Coupland Manager - Technical & Research Dept. All offers subject to acceptance by return of post unless otherwise stated. | ||