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).
Noisy tappets on the Phantom II chassis, customer complaints, and the recommendation to introduce hydraulic tappets.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 17\6\ Scan338 | |
| Date | 4th February 1935 | |
| N-W Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} x7060 Br6/S. 4.2.35. re Technical - Silent Tappets on Phantom II Chassis. ------------------------------------------------- With reference to your Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}14/KW31.1.35, the trouble of noisy tappets, etc. appeared to become acute from the GZ series onwards. In 1934 we received 85 specific complaints. The total cost of dealing with these complaints was surprisingly low, viz. £166.5.5d. In our opinion, however, it is not so much a question of the cost of dealing with these jobs, but the annoyance to customers. Apart from these specific complaints, we have of course come across many cases of very noisy tappets and valve mechanism, which we have been able to deal with at no cost to the Company, as the cars have come to us for decarbonisation, etc. These jobs, of course, I cannot check up. We feel that, although by making a special job of the valve setting, removing all traces of wear on rocker shafts and making sure that valves are free in valve guides, etc. we do improve matters, none of these things can be called a lasting cure, and many cars have been back to us with exactly the same complaint when a further 1,000 miles have been run. The general impression we get from owners who have owned the older model, is that our present 40/50 engine is much nosier, and in our opinion if owners get this impression they do a great amount of harm in talking to potential owners. Having regard to all the circumstances, we at N feel very strongly that unless the cost is absolutely prohibitive, the hydraulic tappets should be introduced. Br.{T. E. Bellringer - Repair Manager} [Signature] | ||