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).
The 9,000-mile test of the Phantom Chassis 16-EX with a sports body.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 12\3\ X704-0102 | |
| Date | 17th March 1928 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} c. to DJ. WOT. c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to DY.{F R Danby} OY. c. to SF. Mk.V c. to IH. Handwritten: x7830, x8830 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/GWH{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}/LG17.3.28. REPORT ON 16-EX. PHANTOM CHASSIS WITH SPORTS BODY. Handwritten: x8940b 9,000 MILES. ENGINE. The performance of the engine has been very good. It has been remarkably smooth and free from periods, power very good. We have had detonations but not objectionable, they were most noticeable when accelerating at 50 m.p.h. LUBRICATION OF CYLS: There has been ample lubrication without excess, the cyl. walls looked in good condition when examined. VALVES & FITTINGS. Outer valve springs E.76987. Inner springs E.76677 Valve guides E.76986/8 otherwise to LOP. E.767713. The exhaust valves have stretched approx. .033". This apparently is due to the tulip head collapsing. It has been necessary to reset the rockers after 2000 miles owing to the valves being open. All adjustment of the rockers had been taken up at finish of test, and it became necessary to reset the bottom tappets. The seating of the exhaust valves when taken out was covered with bronze showing a fusion had taken place. They were also badly pitted. The bronze seats in the head did not show to the same extent and very little grinding was necessary to restore the seating. The inlet valves and their seats were in good condition and the valves had not stretched. We have run with a minimum clearance of .003" when cold. This has been increased to .007" for the continuation of the run. The valve guides and stem had had ample lubrication and were in good condition. The valve springs were all O.K. At periods during the run the springs could be heard, a vibration period being set up. SUSPENSION OF ENGINE. Rear suspension 'a Lec.2510-25-29-30 using 19 SWG. spring steel dual plates and diabolo rubber buffers F.78114 Dunlop. Front suspension standard. We have found the suspension to be quite O.K. and at finish of test we cannot find any signs of the rear having dropped. Our gauge shews no alteration having taken place. It is very good in respect of damping out engine periods. PISTONS. Stiffened web [text cut off] F.{Mr Friese} 76995 1050 [text cut off] | ||