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).
Engine mounting tests, specifically concerning torque reaction dampers, rubber softness, and radiator water loss.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 1\4\ B001_X 100a-page024 | |
| Date | 10th November 1932 | |
| To MS/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} From G.W.H. Hotel de France, Chateauroux, FRANCE. 10.11.32. 2.PER.II. We have been able to get a test with the soft rubbers in the engine mounting. The conditions are :- Front torque reaction dampers slackened right off; Side torque reaction dampers dismantled - not in use. The results are - there is no sign of torque reaction from a speed of 5 m.p.h. upwards. At 5 m.p.h. there is a sharp period, but we do not believe that anyone would attempt to get down to this speed whilst in top gear. There is no material difference upon acceleration at high speed, but on the overrun from 60 m.p.h. the engine is 10 - 15% smoother. We can definitely say there is a definite improvement with the use of the softer rubbers in the engine mounting. These are 'D' grade of rubber. We are also convinced that the torque reaction dampers are unnecessary, as in the second test where we tried with the front torque reaction dampers tightened up choc-a-bloc a definite increased roughness was noticed in the periods 8 - 9 and 11 - 16 m.p.h., and the very low period was brought up from 5 to 8 - 9 m.p.h. The movement of the engine is not at all considerable, in fact not so much as experienced on the 25 HP. and the Phantom. We should say that the top of the engine does not move more than a total of 1/2". RE. WATER. During this test which has been done at high speeds, we have lost practically no water from the radiator; which looks very promising. It may be too early as yet to say that it is definitely O.K., and further tests will be necessary before a definite proof is obtained. -------- This engine gets extremely tight after a hard run. We should have expected that by now any tightness would have disappeared. During yesterday's test we fully expected the engine to seize up. After we had stopped the engine it was very difficult to turn it over with the starting handle. | ||