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).
Test bed running issues, component failures, and design decisions for various car models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 91\1\ scan0528 | |
| Date | 9th November 1937 | |
| -2- Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}6/R.9.11.37. For obvious reasons, such as destruction by accident or by fire, a single car may be put out of action. From our point of view, therefore, it would be an asset if 38-EX, which is at present an experimental car, could be used by the transport and thus be available for reference. We recommend that 37-EX is disposed of, but as this is ahead of the present production it would be a pity to pull it to pieces to fit out of date parts. Regarding test bed running, we have two rather important items to clear up by endurance before it can be said that the engine is likely to be trouble free in service:- (1) Blade rod big end bearing failures. The trouble centres in getting consistent white metalling or alternatively using aluminium tin alloy. Both experiments are in hand. (2) Failure of chromium plated bottom tappets. This now being a serious service complaint, we shall not be satisfied until we get a tappet to stand up without plating. We also want to throw away the oil cooler once and for all, but must be certain of our bearings before we do so. Our objective is to do the minimum amount of running until all the parts are available, and then clean them up on an endurance run which might comfortably pay for itself if we incorporate something like a less costly straight carbon crankshaft with Packard type weights. One result of the decision to stabilise the P.III in its present form is that the position of the universal gearbox will have to be reviewed. This was, of course, projected round having an integral gearbox giving left and right hand change for the P.III, which could also be used on Wraith and Bentley. The first of these boxes is almost completed. Obviously is is now stupid to saddle the Wraith and Bentley with a box big enough for a 7-litre engine, when this box is not going to be used on the Phantom. | ||