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).
10,000-mile test conducted in France, detailing steering and engine performance.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 71\4\ scan0103 | |
| Date | 31th March 1925 | |
| 98 NK (A.E.C. 2 - "V" series). X8940 10,000 miles test in France. (February & March, 1925). -------------------- STEERING. Very susceptible to high speed wobbles if front wheels are not balanced dead true. Heavy at slow speeds and cornering. pendulum lever becomes loose on splines (spheres) - nut tightened up three serrations during tests. Two clamping bolts on box suspension bracket become slack periodically. Flange on bottom of column distorts when any load is put on steering, allowing oil to leak between faces of flange and the face of the steering box. very slight oil leaks from packing gland at outer end of long rocking shaft bearing. very little slack developed in box. steering rather bad for road - [handwritten] weaker than 40/50 standard [/handwritten] shocks when side steering tube springs - F.71401 are fitted, and impossible in this respect when standard springs are fitted. Two springs - F.71401 - broken after 6,370 miles, and 8,000 miles. O.S.F. tyre fouls side steering tube on full right-hand lock. Stop on axle requires thickening slightly to decrease steering lock. Pivots in good condition as far as examination without dismantling can shew. Controls rattle in steering column. Cross steering tube ball ends and sockets in very good condition. Steering column insufficiently supported - requires cross stay similar to 40/50 HP. ENGINE. General performance good. Oil consumption excessive. Plugs tend to become sooted up quickly, and engine becomes dirty quickly, owing to engine oil being burnt. Oil consumption decreases 65 m.p.g. if top oil pump relief valve is removed. No.6 piston head failed after 5,220 miles. Consequent damage - Nos. 11 & 12 push rods bent, & No. 12 valve spring broken. valves in very good condition. tappets require very little attention. If set at .002" dead cold, they remain quiet and require no further adjustment. tappet clearance should not be less than .004" when engine is hot, otherwise valves will be open when engine is dead cold. Gudgeon pin knocks come up quickly, and are bad if floating pins are used. Engine keeps its tune remarkably well, and requires very little attention. Oil leaks from :- 1. front end of dynamo drive. 2. No. 12 main bearing into clutch case. 3. bearings in aluminium cap of ignition relay oil servo. Oil servo controlled ignition satisfactory - gave no trouble. Water pump fixing requires re-designing. There is not sufficient provision against rotary movement of pump case. Even with an aluminium washer fitted behind the fixing nut, the pump becomes loose. Water pump drive coupling requires provision for lubrication - rattles slightly. A flexible rubber coupling would probably be more satisfactory than the | ||