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).
Progress report on development work for the Phantom III, covering carburetter issues and engine noise.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 82\4\ scan0275 | |
| Date | 26th March 1936 | |
| To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} & WOF. c. to H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} x200 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}1/KW.26.3.36. Car Position. PHANTOM III. We have now got two practically up to date Ph.III cars on the road in the experimental Dept., 32-EX, the 15,000 miles car, and 36-EX which is a completely new car that has just been finished. Dealing with the points which required further development work enumerated in Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}3/KW.21.1.36, the present position is as follows - (1) Carburetter. We have now had a certain amount of limited experience with a Stromberg carburetter in its final form fitted with the correct air silencer on 32-EX. On this car we are suffering from petrol shortage at high speeds. Our lap speed is limited to 84 m.p.h. We think the restriction may be in the float chamber needle valve, but investigations are proceeding and we expect the point to be cleared up in the next two or three days. Apart from this problem, no other serious problems have presented themselves with this induction system. We have tested the drain on steep gradients, and this appears to be satisfactory. So far we have not run into vapour lock, but obviously Continental tests are required to prove this point. When we have rectified the petrol shortage we shall make every effort to get the car abroad as soon as possible to check up on vapour lock. (2) Engine Noise & Fuss. Now that we have got an engine with an up to date flywheel and slipper wheel on, we are in a position to carry out some work on this problem. After the induction system it is considered to be the most urgent problem on the car. In conjunction with Smiths we are developing a thermometer which does not transmit the engine noise into the car. | ||