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).
Initial road test performance and faults of the experimental EAC-1 engine.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 72\4\ scan0089 | |
| Date | 10th January 1924 | |
| To CJ. from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} X9770 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}1/LG10.1.24. I regret not having replied to your question of - what parts are likely to fail on the EAC-l engine. My excuse is that it is a very difficult question to answer. After having one attempt, I thought I would leave it until after PN.{Mr Northey} had tried the car. This he did yesterday, but unfortunately, the weather conditions were against him getting any true impression. The reason I do not share the optimisim with regard to immediate production of the EAC, engine is based on experience with experimental cars. It is too much to expect that such a complicated mechanism as an engine can reach the degree of perfection we demand, right off. We may arrive at an average degree of perfection fairly quickly, but to get something which is alround better than the present car, it will, in our opinion, only be arrived at after experience with a number of cars on the road. Undoubtedly, the first impression of the car with the new engine is very pleasing because of the increase in power and acceleration compared with the standard 40/50 HP. You have, however, many times pointed out that these features are not the first points to be considered in connection with a 40/50 HP. car. Briefly, the faults in the one engine which we have so far tested on the road are as follows :- 1. Bad vibration on retard at 40 m.p.h. 2. Detonation worse than 40/50 - should have governed magneto ignition or lower compression. 3. Carburation not as good as 40/50. contd:- | ||