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).
Report from the USA detailing a twelfth valve spring failure, a worsening axle, and cold starting experiments.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 173\2\ img221 | |
| Date | 9th March 1934 | |
| COPY OF REPORT RECEIVED FROM Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} IN U.S.A. DATED 27.2.34. To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} From Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}11/KH.9.3.34. c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to K.{Mr Kilner} c. to Py. c. to Dx. c. to Hsy. c. to EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} The twelfth valve spring failed last night and this time the valve dropped in the cylinder. Investigation showed the valve guide broken off and the piston cracked; the head was also damaged. I therefore decided to put the car on rail to New York. The weather has been exceedingly bad and the whole country from Chicago to the coast is under snow, with temperatures below zero. The axle has been getting steadily worse and I began to fear that it would pack up before I reached New York; however, subsequent events solved that problem. I do think that on the Bentley, where we can expect to have valve spring failures, we should arrange that the valve cannot drop into the cylinder as it is such an expensive proposition if it does. Re cold starting, I have been experimenting and with S.A.E. 30 oil, B. will start at about 20ºF.{Mr Friese} or 10 degrees of frost. Probably with S.A.E. 10 oil it would start at 5 above zero, but with 30 oil the timing gears make such a noise when the engine is hot, that I have not had the heart to use anything thinner. I am on my way to Langley Field and after that shall go to New York, then back to Detroit for a few days before sailing. I have a telegram from Olley, the Cadillac 16 can be shipped on April 1st, the La{L. A. Archer} Salle April 15th or 16th. The discount on the sixteen is 30%, on the La{L. A. Archer} Salle 26%. | ||