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).
Recommendation to cease using the automatic clutch spigot lubrication system due to oil flooding and clutch slippage issues.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 20\1\ Scan061 | |
| Date | 20th November 1931 | |
| RV. from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. De. 8872 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}2/AD20.11.31. X5480 AUTOMATIC CLUTCH SPIGOT LUBRICATION. We recommend that we do not use the automatic clutch spigot lubrication until we have made it work satisfactorily. On the last 10,000 mile test of 19-GIV, the clutch was flooded with oil and consequently frequently slipped. Various efforts were made to trap the oil but there was such a quantity of it that these were not successful. 18-GIV has gone to France with this automatic feed restricted and oil flingers on the clutch disc, but in spite of 25% stronger clutch springs Hancock reports that he is suffering from clutch slip. We are almost certain that he is getting oil on the clutch because the springs he has got give a much greater load proportionally for the torque than we require on the 40/50. hand We think, therefore, that we should revert to the/oil scheme which, after all, has given us very little trouble. We think the improved oil flingers on the driven plate should be retained as they are an ensurance against the over-zealous chauffeur who puts a syringe full of oil in the driving shaft. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||