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).
Resolving oil leaks from ball races and dampers, and addressing petrol system issues including strong mixture and cold air intake for the carburettors.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 91\4\ scan0116 | |
| Date | 17th July 1935 guessed | |
| ( 2 ) There is another feature which we can put forward, but we can hardly beleive it could make such a difference that is, the pumping effect of the ball races. In this I mean, the two ball races of the Servo shaft drive. Your two ball races, may be keeping the oil in the box and Ours pumping it through. We have practically cured the leak from these two ball races, by the method explained in our last memo, and created a more severe leak from the front bearing and change speed lever, by keeping more oil in the front chambers. We shall now have to tackle this problem. Oil Leaks From The Dampers. Although Leslie had the whole of the front pan down, and had the joint of the two sleeves soldered, nothing was done with regard to the joint of the spring cup to the sleeve. This was the joint that leaked. Leslie examined the Dampers Valves, etc., The oil is still leaking from this joint at both sides of the Car. It is increasing exactly as it did previously. Leslie recommended breathing the dampers, which we are going to try. The real trouble in our opinion, is that the flange of the pot, or the pot itself is not strong enough to withstand the knocks it gets from the buffer, which the flanged joint has to withstand. We know it is amply strong for the spring pressure. PETROL SYSTEM. We can tell you definately, that with the grill removed from the Radiator, there was no improvement with the Carburettors. We have not had time as yet to fit pipes for cold air to the Carburettors. This is now being done. We do not however hold out any hope of a cure with cold air to the Carburettors. We have cured the strong mixture which was there, if the Engine was stopped for a couple of minutes. Our present trouble which is bad enough, is, a real hot Engine standing stationary for five minutes. The Carburettors in the Vee, the Petrol pipe lying snug on the crankchamber, very quickly absorb the heat from the Engine and under the bonnet. The petrol evaporates in the float chambers and a devilish strong mixture is drawn straight away into the Cylinders, which will not fire. The throttle has to be held wide open for several seconds before the Engine will fire, and a dense black smoke issues from the Silencer. We can shut down for a minute without any of this occurring. However, a test with the cold air Intakes will prove the issue. We have got out quite a good scheme of air pipes for the Carburettors which is not unsightly and could be adapted. We arec taking our cold air from the front sides of the bonnet. We have to study the sudden tropical storms that are met during the runs. | ||