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).
Failures and observations related to petrol pumps, timing gear rattle, water cooling, and engine mounting.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 91\4\ scan0132 | |
| Date | 24th July 1935 | |
| ( 2 ) PETROL PUMPS. The failure of the Petrol Pumps was due chiefly to the inlet valve having a very fine flash left on the seating, from either the reamoring or the boring. The valve was not making a perfect seat. It was also being aggravated by a fine grain deposit left by the Esso Petrol. The secondary cause was the loosening of the nuts holding the valve unit and diaphram to the valve chest. Third fault was one diaphram had been strained by the mis-alinement of the holes in the diaphram and the valve chest. In fitting it on to the studs it had dragged the diaphram. We are going to re-fit the pump after correcting the above faults. The contact points are somewhat burnt. The Petrol Pumps with the filter removed, have only once shewn a sign of failure. That was after standing during the hottest part of the day. There was no actual failure. With the Radiator Grille removed, there has not been the slightest failure. RATTLE IN TIMING GEAR CASE. This is definately caused by the slipper wheel loosing its poundage. The rattle is not the usual crankshaft period, but it must be the period that is causing the gears to rattle. It has again become noticeable. It was entirely cured by increasing the poundage of the slipper wheel, not the spring drive poundage. The poundage which we reported to you on the 16th inst., was when checked 15 lbs. at 17.1/2 " radious. In the specification it should have been 20 lbs. The sticking load was 20 lbs. We got the slipping load up to 18 lbs. WATER COOLING. We are running with the inner fancy work of the Grille cut out, leaving only the straight down strips. The pennies of the thermostats are also removed. Under these conditions, so far the water has not boiled. The Air temeprature has been cooler of late. To-day it is up to 31°c., but there is a breeze. At the present moment we would not like to say that it is alright. It may be passable. ENGINE MOUNTING. We do not believe that the Engine was in line with the Gear Box when it left the Works. Fisher told us that with a modification to the front Engine mounting a 1/8 " packing was fitted under them. He said the alignment had been checked but we did not believe him. We have checked it since we raised the Engine and no alteration has developed, moreover the rear rubber mounting does not give any indication of having sunk or bulged. We will remove the tail bearing and confirm while the Engine is still in alignment. ............ | ||