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).
Petrol tank solder melting due to heat from the exhaust pipe, particularly during dynamometer testing.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 38\4\ Scan016 | |
| Date | 5th May 1920 | |
| X.3486 By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} from EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} c. to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to Bn.{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} c. to EFC. EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}/T13/F5.5.20. X.3451. X.3436. RE SOLDER OF PETROL TANKS AFFECTED BY HEAT OF EXHAUST VALVE. We have had several cases where leakage from the petrol tank has taken place owing to the solder of the joint having been melted, which has been traced as caused by the heat from the exhaust drain pipe when the car is run on the dynamometer. Although action is being taken to protect the tank from this heat whilst the car is on the dynamometer, I bring this to your notice as I feel rather concerned to think that we are so near to the stage of this dangerous condition that possibly some alteration may be considered advisable even although we have no actual experience of any similar trouble having taken place with cars when run on the road. It is certainly difficult to ensure that the correct clearance of this exhaust pipe with the rear axle and tank is maintained, and although obtaining this clearance has been for some time part of our routine of inspection and test, we do not feel that this will remain so when the cars are in the hands of customers, and in order to overcome the trouble of the pipe catching the axle it may be set dangerously near to the petrol tank. EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} | ||