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).
Policy on pistons, engine silence, and reliability versus the issue of piston knocks.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 35\2\ scan 120 | |
| Date | 5th September 1919 | |
| R.R. 235a (500 T) (S.D. 408. 26-4-17.) Bm. 2/156/13. To CJ. from R.{Sir Henry Royce} c. to WCR. c. to PA.{Mr Paterson} c. to BJ. c. to EH. c. to PN.{Mr Northey} c. to HN.{F. C. Honeyman - Retail orders} c. to EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} c. to HM.{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} c. to Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} X.2748 R3/G5.9.19. RE PISTON KNOCKS ETC. With reference to the immediate policy as regards pistons, you will remember that I have run in my quiet occasional way, aluminium pistons during the War, and lately have done some very considerable running, and I, as much as anyone, appreciate the virtues of a sweet and silent running engine, and this feeling is shared by most of the staff at the Works responsible for our practice. We are not likely to spoil the reputation of the car by forgetting the value of silence. I should like to point out, however, that there are other virtues in the R.R. Cars which have helped to gain its good reputation, chief amongst them being reliability and freedom from wear, and there are still further features which it is difficult to describe, which are appreciated by the users and especially the drivers. All of these we endeavour to keep in their relative importance in obtaining an all-round compromise. Now as to the the cars at present being turned out, I would like to say that if they come up to 1.EX. in the pleasure they give to the drivers and users, we have made a distinct all-round advance without suffering even in silence and sweetness. As regards piston knocks (the only feature doubted by the Sales Dept.:) my views of the situation are as follows:- Contd. | ||