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).
Letter to Borg & Beck Ltd. reporting on the performance of a cross cushion clutch plate after testing in a Phantom III.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 129\1\ scan0017 | |
| Date | 8th October 1936 | |
| X 1110 Exptl. Dept: Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Smth.9/JH. 8th October, 1936. Messrs. Borg & Beck Ltd., Tachbrook Road, Leamington Spa. For the attention of Mr. Barker. Dear Sirs, We are now in a position to report on the cross cushion plate. When first fitted to the car it behaved excellently - as well as any plate we have tried in the Phantom III - but we regret to say that it deteriorated after a certain amount of use. You will remember that this characteristic has been general to all previous plates faced with moulded material, and we are inclined to think that the polished surface developed by this material after use, is not so favourable to smooth engagement as the original surface. With regard to further tests we shall be interested to see how the next cross cushion type plate performs. We understand that you are increasing the cushioning on this plate, and we suggest a total of .050. The clutch may spin with this amount of lost separation, but we shall be able to determine whether jaggers are improved, and if so make necessary modifications to the clutch later. For the moment we do not think it worth while for you to make up a plate with wider facings. As we explained when we saw you last, we are making such a plate to our own design, and this will enable us to | ||