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).
Engine condition following an endurance test, detailing issues with gears, leakage, and plugs.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 179\2\ img106 | |
| Date | 31th December 1931 | |
| -3- Initial Strip after Endurance Test. The general condition of the engine was good with the exception of the following points :- (1) The reduction gears were scrapped due to the teeth being very badly worn and marked. They showed definite signs of overheating despite the fact that plenty of lubricant appeared to be present when the gear was stripped down. (Triple Shell). (2) The duralumin driving gears on the sleeve mechanism were shewing signs of wear on the teeth, but were refitted without being touched. A reduction gear of the same ratio (.553/1) was withdrawn from the A.M.Bond and submitted to a 2 hour endurance test on Kestrel 25, after which it was fitted to the Sleeve Valve Engine. A stronger relief valve spring was fitted on the low pressure oil system in order to increase auxiliary oil pressures. Preliminary Power Curve. For this test the engine was required to run for 15 mins. at 90% load and then a power curve over the speed range 2800 - 1800 - 2800 R.P.M. in stages of 100 R.P.M. each reading being of 5 mins duration. The rating of the engine was to be taken from the mean of the power at normal R.P.M. For each reading the mag. drop was required. Much trouble was experienced with water leakage from the header auxiliary studs and ring nuts. It was found possible after 20 mins. running at low speeds to tighten all the ring nuts by approximately 1/2 turn. Various packings were tried under the dome nuts on the auxiliary studs but no great improvement was made, and it was finally decided to remove the auxiliary studs and plug up the holes and to secure the header by means of the ring nuts only, the joint with the cylinder block being made by thicknesses of vellumoid and heldite. The K.L.G. 633 plugs then began to show signs of sparking down the exterior of the mica and it was found that the laminations above the gland nut had become slack. They were accordingly replaced by Lodge A.55. Attempts on Preliminary Power Curve. The header/cylinder block joint was subjected to several trials and appeared to be satisfactory, and it was decided to start the preliminary power curve. The 15 mins | ||