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).
Preliminary lightening of the Phantom engine components like the waterpipe and flywheel, and improving the induction system.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\Q\January1927-March1927\ 77 | |
| Date | 14th February 1927 | |
| Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} TO HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} A.J. (At Le CanadelHenry Royce's French residence) Copy to BJ. WOR.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} R4/M10.2.27. DESPATCHED FROM WW. 14.2.27. Y3867 Y8070 Y8180 Y8300 Y7840 Y8770 PHANTOM ENGINE - PRELIMINARY LIGHTENING. WATERPIPE/FLYWHEEL ETC. There is a copper waterpipe with heavy bronze fittings just behind the carburetter which should be changed for a lighter scheme - cast aluminium, or whatever is found best. I am not sure whether we have adopted a sufficiently lightened flywheel and clutch. Dodd and I went to a hill climb race last Sunday. It occurred to me that Bugatti and others who shewed well probably had very light flywheels and clutches, with minimum inertia. (I think we should try considerably lightening ours until we get other troubles, such as uneven turning. I have been hoping to hear of some good results from improved induction system, beginning with single carburetter and slot intake, principally to permit of using less heat to induction system, which might enable us to do away with exhaust heat, and hence less detonations, slightly higher compression, and quite a gain in power. Is there no one who can get this long standing idea moving? R.{Sir Henry Royce} Our 7-EX. engine seems so remarkably smooth and free from detonations (possibly due to improved auto retard), that it might bear slightly higher compression ratio, or better filling, or both. | ||