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).
Clutch, flywheel, and starter ring issues on a Phantom III, Chassis 3.BU.98.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 96\1\ scan0251 | |
| Date | 8th January 1938 | |
| To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} c. to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. to Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} Handwritten: Chandler Handwritten: see me. Pam Handwritten: 361 Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}1/N.8.1.38. Re: Phantom III Chassis 3.BU.98 - Mr Locan. This Owner has been visited by our Inspector Hamilton for misfires etc. There was a talk that the clutch was not good. I tried the car when it came in on Monday and I found the engagement of the clutch was all that could be desired. The real trouble was the sticking open of the valves due to the hydraulic plungers not releasing. Cricklewood drew my attention to the condition of the starter ring and after seeing the condition of the teeth, I recommended that it should be changed. This necessitated the dis-assembling of the clutch, [handwritten: face?] which, when dis-assembled showed that the flywheel face and the pressure ring face were badly ringed exactly like the two cases I have recently reported upon. Having seen this condition and with the knowledge of the two troubles, it was decided that it would not be wise to let them go in that condition. It was therefore arranged that the two faces should be cleaned up, but as I received a report that the centre plates sent back to the Works were quite satisfactory with smooth flywheel and pressure plate surfaces, I instructed that the centre plate be used again. I believe I am right in doing this. The point I want to raise is the bad ringing or grooving of the flywheel and pressure ring faces. This I think requires an early investigation, as I am not at all happy with the condition they apparently soon get into with the thermoid lining. It would appear that with this lining the facings of the flywheel and pressure plate will have to be hardened to prevent the grooving, which is the apparent cause of the clutches becoming fierce. The position is important as it will affect the 25/30 h.p. as well, and as Cricklewood are to become busy fitting this lining to the 25/30 h.p. a serious trouble might be averted. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} | ||