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).
Road test report detailing investigations into petrol pump performance and petrol shortage at high altitudes.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 146\2\ scan0343 | |
| Date | 23th July 1937 | |
| about 1800 meters; this is where the owner had previously experienced trouble due to shortage of petrol to carburettor etc. The road at this altitude has an inclination of about 14%. I then stopped the car as there were signs of petrol shortage to the carburettor, I found that the petrol was "boiling" in the pump, I then removed one of the steel caps of the pump so as to let the gas escape, soaked a chamois leather in water and placed it around the pump. I then continued the test for another 15 kilometres and everything was quite normal except that "A" side of the pump was very noisy. I should mention that at the moment I stopped for shortage of petrol supply, the thermometer registered 100° and then dropped to 90° which is normal, the water however in the cooling system never reached boiling point for one moment. If the petrol pump had originally been placed in another position, I feel sure that no trouble would have occured in the petrol supply system. The silent tappet mechanism during the tests did not at any time give the least trouble. The oil pressure was found to be normal. During the decent of the above mentioned mountain pass the thermometer reading dropped to 85/80° and the petrol pump ceased to be noisy. Not having absolute confidence in the new petrol pumps which I fitted, I left the original one in the possession of the driver (instead of bringing it to Paris) who will hand it over to the London Repair Works in about 15 days time. I observed that, when the engine was very hot and when idling that the mixture appeared to be rich, I tested the car on the road for slow running and found same OK. The customer did not seem discontented except as far as the petrol pump vapour lock was concerned. This question as you realise is beyond my scope. The chauffeur ( Charles E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} LILLEY) of Mr. Lionel de Rothschild was very pleased with the instructions which I gave to him concerning the upkeep etc.. of Ph.III Chassis. LANGERON 23.7.37 | ||