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).
The worst features of the Phantom III, focusing on flooding on hills and clutch issues.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 161a\2\ scan0005 | |
| Date | 26th May 1937 guessed | |
| TYPED TEXT: - E - (3) PHANTOM III WORST FEATURES. 1. Flooding and Starting on Hills. R.{Sir Henry Royce} explained that the flooding had been definitely proved to be due to hair-light particles of aluminium passing the 60 gauge gauze filter. Two remedies are proposed:- (a) The filter body eventually to be made of brass instead of aluminium, and (b) The filter gauze to be of 100 mesh gauge like the 25/30 H.P. A Depot Sheet will be issued by Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} and as soon as possible material will be supplied to Depots for changing the filter gauze on all cars delivered. On the other hand, although brass filter bodies will be brought on to production as soon as possible, it is not proposed to fit them retrospectively to cars already delivered. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} stated that it is agreed that the Phantom III carburetter will flood when the car is facing up a 1 in 9 gradient also that there is no real solution to the problem of restarting the engine when it is hot except by opening the throttle fully, pressing the starter button continuously, and avoiding touching the accelerator pedal. It was decided that a flyleaf should be issued for all Instruction Books so far supplied. 2. Clutches. Great improvement is expected of a new American made clutch plate, which may be called the "Long" plate. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} has ordered 12 sets from America and later expects to fix a contract for quantities, there being apparently some difficulty in claiming the right to manufacture the plate ourselves. One feature of the plate is a special spirally wound fabric. It was decided that Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} should put through an enquiry as to the supply of 100 sets. With reference to the transmission rattle which it is hoped largely to cure by improving the clutches, it was stated that stiffer axle shafts are projected but on future production only, and not as a retrospective cure. CONTD. HANDWRITTEN TEXT: (Top left margin) Dixon. Has depot sheet been circulated? Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} (Middle left margin) Radcliffe. Write out a suitable description of how to start. URGENT O.K. ✓ | ||