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).
Comparative analysis of straight-eight and V-eight engine designs, discussing silence, weight, installation, cost, and power.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 173\1\ img364 | |
| Date | 19th February 1934 | |
| -2- SILENCE It seems to be generally agreed that the line 8 is the easiest unit on which to silence both the exhaust and intake. WEIGHT The straight eight, being less compact, is obviously heavier than the V.8 but I have not been able to get a direct comparison from anyone. They are using considerably less balance weight on the line than on the Vee engine. AVOIDANCE OF INSTALLATION The line 8 is fundamentally a non-compact unit but in practice, owing to its small width, it can be panelled into the dashboard and so take up little more room than a 6 of the same displacement. For the same reason, it can more easily be pushed forward over the front axle than the Vee unit. Cadillacs complain of the difficulty of accessory drives on the Vee when a narrow frame is used to get steering lock. COST The line 8 is definitely a cheaper production job than a Vee eight. POWER This seems to be largely a matter of distribution. There are now some very good 8 cyl. pipes available. I talked the matter over with Seaholm. He said the V.8 had served them well and he was not in a position to say it was no good. It had probably suffered badly from having been stepped up about 40 cu.ins. by the reamer process since the engine was originally designed. The adoption of an in line side valve 8 is largely a matter of policy. It would appear that it is generally realised that the money is in the moderately priced medium sized vehicle. | ||