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).
On design improvements for selector lever locking plates and clutch housing clearance.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 130\3\ scan0171 | |
| Date | 4th February 1941 | |
| [Handwritten top, red, crossed out] Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Barton FILE [Handwritten top, red] Let me know what has been done To Ev{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}/JD.{J. Draper - Frames} from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/HH. c. to Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} [Handwritten initial] T Wms cc The locking plates fitted to the selector lever centric pins, appears to require some improvement. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Wym{G. Harold Whyman - Experimental Manager} has reported the ineffectiveness of these plates, and I think the design could be greatly improved. We would also point out the difficulty encountered whilst erecting the clutch housing. The thickness of the clutch housing (crankcase face) appears to be too wide to provide clearance between the crankcase joint face and the flywheel, and we would point out that the water jacket cover on the cylinder head further obstructs this operation. Will the Design Dept., kindly look into these points to save trouble in the event of future production. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/HH. [Handwritten right margin] This clutch housing difficulty is due to faulty castings. Replete dwgs show .150" clearance between flywheel & clutch housing flange. [Handwritten bottom right] Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/H.H agrees with this. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/G.B. 10/2/41 | ||