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).
Tests of various samples of petrol, detailing their properties and performance characteristics.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 32\1\ Scan061 | |
| Date | 9th October 1922 | |
| X1555 ROY.{Sir Henry Royce} c. to Wd.{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead} c. to Rg.{Mr Rowledge} c. to HB.{C. E. Harcombe} c. to HL. EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}5/H9.10.22. re. TESTS OF VARIOUS SAMPLES OF PETROL. We are now able to report on the various samples of petrol submitted as follows:- (as noted by our ordinary routine tests). (a). B.P.No.1. Specific Gravity .730 Boils at 75°C. First distillate over at 80°C. Tests taken on the road, dynamometer etc. show from a carburation point of view this petrol is fairly good, comparatively O.K. in this respect, but at the same time does not give ideal distribution or as good as that obtained with Shell Aviation. This spirit, however, is quite unsuitable for recommending on our cars or aero engines owing to the bad pinking which takes place, and Benzol has to be used with this mixture in order that it can be used satisfactorily. (b). Shell No.1. This is the standard spirit we are now using for our stock supply. Specific Gravity .760 Boils at 93°C. First distillate over at 94°C. This spirit is not so good as B.P.No.1. as regards carburation, in fact it is inclined to load up, and carburation is not good for slow speed full throttle running, which we consider is a weakness as far as this type of petrol is concerned. As regards pinking, however, it is quite reasonable, and not nearly as bad as B.P. No.1. (c). Red Line Spirit No.1. Specific Gravity .751 Boils at 78°C First distillate over at 82.5°C. As regards carburation, this is practically the same as B.P. No.1. but is an improvement on B.P.No.1. as regards pinking, which is only slight with this petrol and appears similar to Shell No.1. in this respect. (d)...Glico Motor Spirit. (Sample submitted by Messrs. Carless Caple.) Specific Gravity .745 Boils at 80°C First distillate over at 84°C. CONTD. | ||