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).
Complaints of water boiling on long mountain passes and potential issues with radiator design and placement.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 24\4\ Scan137 | |
| Date | 12th August 1924 | |
| To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from B.J. BJS/H12.8.24. Copies to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}, EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}, and By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Re COMPLAINT OF BOILING WATER ON LONG MOUNTAIN PASSES. There are some useful points in the attached, R2/M8.8.24, for consideration when the Works are sending an expert to Italy and Switzerland, to enable him to come to the conclusion and make a report as to why some cars boil and others do not. It seems likely that the position of the number plate and lamps in front of the radiator might make quite a considerable difference. When we fit a radiator which is 2 1/2" higher, does this give any greater cooling surface or other advantage for Switzerland, etc., as compared with a radiator, say, 1-in. higher than standard? If so, exactly what advantage does it give? Is the radiating surface increased by 2 1/2" in height? Is this extra height covered by the fan? The following is an extract from R3/M8.8.24:- "Our radiators have been of the same pattern and proportions more or less for the last 15 years, and one can scarcely therefore believe that the bursting of the radiator in question is due to the design being faulty. Overfilling and a desire to keep the radiator full with the engine standing and cold, instead of full at full speed and full load, is I believe the chief cause of the trouble." B.J. Encl: R2/M8.8.24. | ||