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).
Technical observations from a visit to Buick in America.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 173\4\ img176 | |
| Date | 24th December 1935 | |
| To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to A.{Mr Adams} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to Hay. Re Visit to America. On the 9th Dec. we visited Buicks, they supplying an Oldsmobile for transport. This car was interesting in that it had very little damping, so little that in towns the front moved up and down considerably, but at high speeds on these roads the car rode completely without pitching and handled quite well. G.M. are working on the theory that no more or even less damping is required at high speeds on American roads. We gleaned from Buicks - (1) They keep the transmission backlash very low on their cars but consider the box backlash comparatively unimportant for chunking provided the clutch splines are tight and the total axle backlash at the pinion is less than 1º. They had found that the job could be done by a tight gearbox but the other method is easier. (2) The restriction to the oil flow in coolers does increase in their case, causing the oil temperature to rise from 220 to 250ºF.{Mr Friese} The restriction goes up so much that the coolers have to be cleaned by Benzel and high pressure blasting every 20,000 miles. The bye-pass valve was because of this restriction and also because the cooler was between the pump and the release valve, release oil being returned to the pump inlet, so giving more rapid warming of the oil from cold. The cooler has been omitted for reasons of expense. (3) They circulate hot water through the rockershaft to warm the oil that runs down the push rods for quiet valve operation. (4) Their c mn. rods are S.A.E.1045, forged but not coined, and vary in total weight. They are selectively assembled so that in one engine the weights are + - 1/16 oz. (5) The best silencer material for Ethyl corrosion is 'Ternplate' or lead coated steel. | ||