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).
Customer complaints and proposed solutions for exhaust, slipper drive, and overheating issues.
| Identifier | Morton\M19\ img028 | |
| Date | 18th February 1931 | |
| -3- results and no recurrent complaint has been received after the fitting of same. Minor complaints still for some time be received as it is not intended to change the material on all existing cars. This is incorporated only on recurrent complaints. RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} and myself are trying out a scheme to overcome the scoring of the trunnion sleeve with a view of preventing seizures. The scheme is to centralise the inaccurate setting of the clutch fingers, thereby obtaining an even thrust. Item (7) Exhaust Troubles. A lot of work has been carried out to overcome these complaints, but we still have not got satisfactory results. These failures have been reported to W.W and suggestions and schemes have been received to try out. The following modifications have already been carried out. 20HP. strengthened manifold, and reinforced exhaust down pipe flange. Phantom II. sliding joint now made to M.S. design of 25HP. to overcome pushing back of silencer and trouble with opening of cutout. This being an expensive job, it is not intended to alter all existing cars, the change to be made with a recurrent complaint. A scheme has been received from W.W. dealing with the Phantom I exhaust manifold. This has been dealt with by the D.O. and sent back to W.W. for their approval. The existing design of manifold is to be tried in malleable iron. Item (8) Slipper Drives. We are now getting fairly consistent results with the improved low inertia spring drive. The depots are dealing with the complaint as they arise and up to the present we have not any record of a recurrent complaint with this type of slipper drive. It is not intended to alter the design of the 25HP. Item (9) Over-heating Boiling. The increase in overheating complaints are due chiefly to the return of customers from abroad. The higher air temperatures combined with the higher speeds maintained on the Continent is the cause of the overheating. The only remedy we have for these customers is the rubber fan belt, and washing out the radiator and system. With a recurrent complaint a new type of matrix is fitted. In a few cases the operation of the red lamp at a lower temperature has been the cause of the complaint. For the present production, the new matrix with indented tubes and a larger frontal area incorporated with the non-spillable radiator cap and rubber fan belt should considerably reduce the complaints. An intensive research work is to be carried out with a view of increasing the efficiency of the radiator for future production. The louvred bonnet is standard for Continental cars and in a number of cases should cure these complaints | ||