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).
Modifications for the Phantom model, covering pistons, auto advance, steering, front axle, shock dampers, and magnetos.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 69\4\ scan0043 | |
| Date | 14th May 1926 | |
| TO HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} } FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} B. EFC Copy to - BJ. WOR.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} EFC V8770 R3/M14.5.26. PHANTOM. PISTONS. We have modified the engine pistons in 3 patterns to get over some of the troubles and make manufacturing more straightforward. The Silver Ghost had the same difficulties. AUTO: ADVANCE. X8685✓ Certain improvements to the auto advance have been made. The timing instructions should be given in the book to set and synchronise in well advanced positions of the hand controls (not in the retarded position.) We are sending Derby, amongst other modifications for this, a piston with metal rings (bevelled rings) instead of leather. STEERING. Support for D.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} columns to be improved by clamp on tube, and stays to dash to form tripod with large tube will not be necessary when the cast dash is adopted, but may do much to steady columns reported to vibrate. FRONT AXLE. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} says we cannot do less than order 100 of the present ones, but it is thought wiser to risk producing as quickly as possible 100 sets of the newer light axle in parallel with test bumping and 10,000 miles trial on EAC.8. (12-EX.), the reason being that this axle has several features to reduce the tendency to steering wobbles. Hydraulic shock dampers are to go forward of the pattern already tested on 20HP. 10,000 miles, and on bumping test, and many Phantoms, the broken lever trouble to be met by fitting the bolt and nut with spherical seating, because there is not the slightest doubt that it was the bolt which broke first, and it was because this particular one was less perfectly fitted, and tore the bolt head off by bad seating. The bolt is to be increased from 5/16" to 3/8". There will be many to make - 4 for each 20HP. and 2 for each 40/50. (this latter is to await adaption to the back axle.) It is thought that upward damping will be found best at about 50% of downwards. MAGNETO. X8795 X8796✓ The Lucas was examined. It is a less costly machine to produce than the Watford, so that this is a reason for its less purchasing price. The Watford is quite satisfactory except for the slight noise of the contact maker, but I do not consider Lucas' scheme of reducing the contact spring pressure sound, and altogether we should go very slowly before abandoning the Watford, which has proved very reliable and has a better reputation. (1) | ||