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 U.S.A. on a bearing factory visit, engine components, and comparative road tests.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 178\2\ img197 | |
| Date | 24th February 1934 | |
| COPY OF REPORT RECEIVED FROM Rs.{Sir Henry Royce's Secretary} IN U.S.A. DATED 15.2.34. Re-cd. from Mr/Rs.{Sir Henry Royce's Secretary} C. to W.O.B. C. to Hives. C. to Platt. C. to Rowledge. C. to Harvey. C. to E.V. C. to Hives. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} 2/KW. 24.2.34. Went to Cleveland yesterday to see the strip bearing factory commended by Fedden. Once again it was remarkable evidence of the art of the specialist, the quality of the job being even more impressive than the price. Ford big end bearings, flanged, white-metalled both sides, dia. to 1/4" thous., thickness to 2/10" thou., labour time 12 mins. from the untinned strip to final article. Con. Rod. Crank Ratio. I wired you re this. G.M. said not more than 2-1 ratio. To-day found that the ultra-smooth Terraplane breaks this rule so it is not perhaps vitally important. Hot Spots. My wire was perhaps somewhat misleading. The new designs are incorporating thermostat hot spots. I enclose a print of the one fitted to the latest La{L. A. Archer} Salle 8 (none have been produced yet) and wired you to look at the Buick. If the thermostat is not used, the max. heat available has to be cut down. Cadillacs find they can do this with their expanding carbs. where the distribution is good. Will bring thermostat samples back with me. Road Tests. Had the Bentley out with Cadillac 16, 12, 8 and Pacard on Tuesday. Got a splendid piece of road for testing full of undulations. Cadillacs behaved wonderfully well and could be steered without difficulty. The Pacard was very frightening, lacking any sense of direction above 70 m.p.h. The Bentley with the reduced front shock damper load was thrown all over the place and did not steer particularly well. Its worst feature was the weaving of the front of the frame and consequent knocks therefrom (presumably rad. as we have given the bonnet ample clearance). | ||