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).
Epidemic of big-end bearing failures on Bentley cars and proposing solutions.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 115\3\ scan0004 | |
| Date | 5th July 1937 | |
| Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} 1030 Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}3/R.5.7.37. BEARINGS. As you know, we are in the middle of an epidemic of big-end failures on Bentley cars. Roughly, £50 is the cost of pulling two engines down and fitting them with the latest type bearings. There is no doubt that in the hands of hard drivers this will be necessary. We understand from RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} that for a scrap of £42.16.3., the new bearings can be brought in on the 176th chassis in 'K' series which will be sent to test on August 21st. We recommend that this should be done and that the modified drilling to the crankshaft should be brought in at the same time, if this is possible. This modified drilling to the crankshaft necessitates a single hole only being put in on the upper half of the connecting rod bearing. The new main bearing material is, of course, A.C.2. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||