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).
Component issues and production matters for spark plugs, springs, bearings, tractors, and die-castings.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 170\4\ img010 | |
| Date | 13th July 1940 | |
| -2- Possibly our English spark plug supplies will be increased sufficiently to cope with the potential American engine output. We begin to wonder whether they ever will produce Merlin engines in America. Coil springs. re Gun There have been one or two problems with gun springs over here, and I have asked them to pass the problems over to you so that you can take them up with Zimmerli. I still think that Barnes, Raymond & Gibson know more about coil springs than any one in this country. Copper Lead Bearings. I have sent you some photographs of typical main bearing failures. An interesting thing is that, though the main bearings look like hell they do not cause engine failures in service. The service failures are due to big ends coming through the Crankcase. I am fairly certain that this is due to lack of lubrication at maximum speeds, and the matter is being put right. It seems to me that in your Serial No.170 you have just the bearing for R.R. i.e. one that will run for a minute without oil. Our leads are so much less than the radial engines that we are giving Cleveland tri-metal babbits a run to see if there is any chance of getting by with them. Your Serial No.171. - Cylinder Sleeves. Interesting. What about sending us some samples to try? Serial No.172 - Tractors. I am interested to hear about the new Ford design, but do not suppose we shall get any over here for a bit. If they are shipping any, I shall be interested to know to which Agent, so that I can get my agricultural friends on the job. Curiously enough, the Fordson easily out-sells any English tractor, but the really knowledgeable farmers here say it gives them nothing like the service of the John Deere, and they will not buy Fordson at any price. Therefore, sales cannot always be said to be indicative of the excellence of the product. Serial No.169 - Die castings for Rocker Covers and small bits. We are in entire agreement, and as the quantities go up so the die castings we are making increase. Continued. | ||