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).
Test report detailing engine oil loss, cooling, steering performance, and petrol consumption tests.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 155\1\ scan0085 | |
| Date | 17th May 1933 | |
| -3- Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Lid.{A. J. Lidsey}1/KT.17.5.33. The major trouble experienced on the track was loss of engine oil through the rear bearing into the clutch pit. This is very bad, and is not improved by fitting the Peregrine type of clutch pit ventilation. This point is being investigated. The water temperature on the track never exceeded 80°C; the car was fitted with a 58 mm. Harrison Vee radiator matrix and a Silver Ghost thermostat short circuiting the radiator as on the Silver Ghost cars. This system is very good and very effective; no water was lost at all during the total day's mileage (approx. 430). The steering, although not strikingly bad, is not as good as it might be at high speeds, the Alvis Speed 20. is considerably more stable at high speeds. A bad flywheel period is apparent between 2500 and 3000 R.P.M. when the engine is really hot; this is more noticeable when the air silencer is fitted due to the reduction in roar and intake fuss which otherwise tends to mask the flywheel period. Petrol consumption tests were carried out on the journeys to and from Brooklands as follows; the double hot spot feed is slightly better than the single in this respect. (1) Single Hot Spot Feed. (a) Average Speed 44 m.p.h. Petrol Cons. 15.4 m.p.g. (b) Average Speed 41.5 m.p.h. Petrol Cons. 15.4 m.p.g. (2) Double Hot Spot Feed. (a) Average Speed 41.5 m.p.h. Petrol Cons. 16.2 m.p.g. (b) Average Speed 49.7 m.p.h. Petrol Cons. 14.8 m.p.g. The mileage in each of the above four tests was 142. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Lid.{A. J. Lidsey} | ||