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 The Adamant Engineering Co. Ltd. regarding the testing and efficiency of a Marles type L.7 steering gear on a 25 HP chassis.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 28\3\ Scan048 | |
| Date | 13th November 1934 | |
| 44094 Exptl. Dept: Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/FJH.{Fred J. Hardy - Chief Dev. Engineer}21/KW. 13th November, 1934. The Adamant Engineering Co.Ltd., Dallow Road, Luton. For the attention of Commdr. Matravers. Dear Sirs, We have now refitted the Marles type L.7 gear to our 25 HP. chassis and our impression of the steering as it is at present is that it is very good for freedom from road shocks but is still slightly heavy owing to the low forward efficiency. Since you changed the cam for us we have given the gear 7 hours' "running in" on a rig and have measured the efficiency both before and after "running in". Before being "run in" the gear had a maximum forward efficiency of 61%, which increased to 65.5% after "running in". We enclose a print ref. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}1605 showing the efficiency after "running in" both with Mobiloil D and the oil with which you supplied us. With the present efficiency of 65.5% the steering of the car is only slightly heavy so that, if, as we hope, the efficiency eventually rises to 73-75% this heaviness may disappear. The reverse efficiency appears to be very satisfactory at present and it is to be hoped that further "running in" does not increase this unduly and bring back road shocks. We anticipate that it may be some time before we are able to form any further opinions concerning this gear but we will let you know as soon as we have any points to raise. In the meantime, in case we should wish to try a still lower geared steering, we should be very glad if you would let us know the full range of standard cams which you make for the L.7 gear. Yours faithfully, FOR ROLLS-ROYCE LTD. | ||