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).
Report concerning engine valve issues on Trials Car No. 3-AZ-38 during testing.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 96\3\ scan0116 | |
| Date | 25th September 1936 | |
| X360 S/W. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} c. " H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} c. " Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. " Mxr. Cx{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager}11/KW25.9.36. Re- Trials Car No. 3-AZ-38. We handed this car over to the Autocar technical representative for the purpose of his giving it a long run and the usual write-up in The Autocar. He took it to Brooklands to check up the accuracy of the speedometer at all ranges within the limits of the car's speed, and during the process of testing the car apparently one or more of the valves became tight in the guides and caused the engine to run very irregularly after it became fairly warm. This symptom persisted while the Brooklands tests were being carried out on account of the higher speeds indulged in and therefore higher temperature, but when the engine cooled down and was driven normally on the road the running then was reported to be all right. Strangely enough this car has already done many hundreds of miles and in fact did between 400-500 miles last week in the hands of The Motor representative, who did not report any such occurrence. The car was sent to N. and Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} was informed, so that he could send someone to see the cylinder heads, valves, etc. in a dismantled state for any evidence of seizure of the valve stems, and also to examine the valve guides some of which were reported as having become quite loose in their housings. No doubt you will let us have a report on these when your examination has been completed. It is very unfortunate that this occurred in the hands of a technical journal's expert, especially as we had a suspicion of this trouble the day before and the car was examined by LA{L. A. Archer} and other Works people in London and passed as O.K. after changing some plugs. In consequence we had to cancel an appointment for a trial run on this particular car in Bournemouth tomorrow morning. After examination will you please tell us whether we are likely to have a recurrence of this trouble either with this engine or the other Trials Car 3-AZ-22. Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} | ||