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).
Minutes of a conference discussing manufacturing difficulties with the 20/25 chassis, specifically engine gear rattles.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 30\2\ Scan035 | |
| Date | 11th May 1932 | |
| X2924, HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} MINUTES OF CONFERENCE IN Mr. WORMALD'S OFFICE May 11th, 1932. Present:- Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} R.{Sir Henry Royce} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} KP. HHO. Ny. The Meeting was called to discuss various matters regarding 20/25 chassis and particularly difficulties now being experienced in manufacture. 20/25 Engine Gear Rattles. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} said that as the 20/25 is selling fairly well and chassis are at the present time being despatched at about 8 per week, it is essential that the difficulty of satisfactorily producing engines free of gear rattles should be dealt with before a large accumulation of doubtful chassis is put in circulation. He said that it was disturbing to think that many of these chassis may have to be returned to the Works for correction at some future date at great expense to the Company. Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} stated that gear rattles were a continual source of worry and were only being dealt with at greatly increased cost. It was only by reducing the tooth clearance to an amount not exceeding .002" that it was possible to reduce the rattle to a reasonable amount, .004" to .006" was the previous standard. Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} reported that he had not made much improvement by the use of the brake, but the use of modified valve springs appeared to give some definite advantage. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} said that the use of the brake must always be of some advantage and cannot possibly do any harm. It is therefore, well worth using even though other steps are taken, such as the use of modified valve springs. The brake does definitely damp out the rattles at very low speeds, and although it does not constitute a complete cure at the higher speeds, it must be of some benefit. contd. | ||