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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).
Comparison of features between the 40/50 HP and 20 HP models, focusing on plain versus ball bearings and gearing.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 42\2\  Scan094
Date  15th December 1922
  
contd:-
-3-
the good features of the one we use on the 40/50 HP.
We feel convinced from our tests that the plain bearings used on the pinions of the water pump and magneto drives and on the camshaft on the 40/50 improve the silence of the gearing compared with the ball bearings on the 20 HP. We also feel that the extra damping in the plain bearings is a very desirable feature.
Our Repair Dept. estimate the life of these plain bearings to be 100,000 miles or more. * We do not get the same life from any ball bearings. *
The fact that there is no bearing located in the wheelcase cover on the 40/50 is an advantage. The bearing for the generator drive on the wheelcase has given considerable trouble on the 20 HP.
The serrated drives on the 20 HP. for the water pump and generator are liable to cause a rattle unless they are damped by friction.
The fact that the mounting on the intermediate wheel is adjustable on the 40/50 HP. is an advantage. Having all the auxiliaries driven from the camshaft is an improvement on the 20 HP
We have not been able to prove that driving the generator on the engine gear causes any trouble, in fact, the load of the generator is an advantage.
Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}
  
  


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