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).
Road tests, overheating issues, and subsequent repairs for chassis 3.AZ.148.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 146\2\ scan0317 | |
| Date | 20th July 1937 | |
| R E P O R T CHASSIS 3.AZ.148 - Sir Pomeroy BURTON O.P.N°. 3376 -------------------- Upon my arrival at Aix-les-Bains in the morning on the 14th. July, I made a test of the car in company with the chauffeur. We drove the car up to Chambotte which is about 10 kilometres from Aix-les-Bains, this road is very winding and has in certain places gradients from 10 to 15 %, the air temperature was fairly fresh. In order not to let the engine pull hard on top gear, I drove the car to Chambotte in 2nd. & 3rd. gear, this naturally gave greater water pump & fan speed. Upon arrival at the top of the climb, the water commenced to boil (thermometer registered 100°). During the above test all the bonnet shutters were open. I observed that there was a lack of power when the car was being accelerated from slow speeds. The engine also misfired owing to faulty plugs and late setting of 'B' ignition. Upon returning to the Garage, I carried out the following work :- Tuned up the engine. Reset the tappet clearances (same had too much clearance). Fitted 24 new sparking plugs (latest type K.L.G. F.E. 30 X Reset and synchronised the two ignitions. Checked over the petrol filters. I then tested the car in the afternoonwhich was very hot (Chaleur torride), I took the road which leads to the overhead cable railway at Mont Revard which is a climb of about 5 kilometres, upon arrival at the summit the thermometer needle was past the 100° mark and hard on over to the oil guage side. During the climb the water boiled for about 10 minutes and the radiator half emptied itself. I observed that when replenishing the radiator that the water did not pass through the matrix freely. When the car was driven on a flat road at 80 Kms. per hour the temperature remained steady at a 98°; I received the new radiator on the 15th. inst. and as soon as I fitted it (which is a long job), I again tested the car on the road to Mont Revard, this time with the bonnet shutters closed, upon arrival at the summit the water temperature was 90°, I then tested the car as far as Chambery, 35 kilometres there and back, and found the water temperature to be quite normal vis. 75° -80° ..... | ||