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).
The condition of an engine unit, detailing failures and examinations of components like bearings and tappet bushes.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 108\1\ scan0174 | |
| Date | 6th September 1937 | |
| - 10 - HPS.{Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr}1/VS.{J. Vickers}6.9.37. ENGINE UNIT. As previously stated, testing was curtailed due to failure of an exhaust valve, which broke at the neck, damaging the piston and puncturing the cylinder liner, causing a water leak. To return the car to Derby the connecting rods and pistons were removed from Nos. 1,2 and 3 cylinders and the bores blanked up. In blanking off the crankpin holes, some form of graphite impregnated packing appears to have been used in conjunction with a Jubilee Clip; this packing disintegrated and clogged the suction oil filter; the car was consequently running at an exceptionally low oil pressure, which accounts for the poor condition of certain bearings. The condition of the various units is as follows :- Crankcase and Bearings. Assembled in accordance with LOP.EW.1113, incorporating :- Whitemetal Main Bearings Ex.16373/4/5/6/7, identical in dimensions to the standard Tin Alloy Bearings. The crankcase was examined and found to be in good condition and free from cracks. With the exception of Nos. 4 and 7 bearings, which suffered from lack of lubrication following the removal of three Big-Ends, as previously stated, the Main Bearings were in a satisfactory condition. The Tappet Bushes in A/P material showed no signs of wear in the bores. It will be recalled that the bore of these bushes is inclined 0°45' to permit the tappet to seat correctly on the camshaft. continued. | ||