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).
Decreasing ground clearance of starter motors on successive chassis designs and potential solutions.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 62\1\ scan0052 | |
| Date | 19th July 1932 | |
| AD X543 X6027 To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} FNS re Starter Motors. The following table shows that our starter motors are getting nearer to the ground on each successive chassis we design and the danger of damage due to the car passing through water is consequently becoming more acute:- | Chassis. | Centre of motor above ground. | Dia: of motor. | Ground clearance. | |------------|-------------------------------|----------------|-------------------| | P.II | 18" | 5 | 15.5. | | 20/25 | 16" | 4.5 | 13.75. | | J.III | 12.750 | 4.5 | 10.5 | | Peregrine. | 11.750 | 3.75 | 9.875 | | Bensport. | 10.750 | 3.75 | 8.875. | We have looked into the question of finding a starter motor position on Bensport on the upper half of the crankcase, but this does not appear practicable. There is the possibility that the motor might be housed on the clutch case facing rearwards under the footboards, but this demands the starter ring on the rear of the flywheel and moves the weight rearwards. In our present position we must render the motor water proof and keep the terminals on the top of the carcase. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} | ||