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 failure of an 'Eagle' engine fitted with American-made parts, specifically a broken crankshaft.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 38\6\ Scan041 | |
| Date | 6th November 1918 | |
| R.H. 235a (500 T) (S.D. 403. 28-4-17.) Bm. 2/156/13. X 3381 To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from EH. c. to CJ. c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to Na.{Mr Nadin} c. to OY. c. to Mr Bagnall ----------- EHL/LG.61118. 6th Nov. 1918. ----------- RE "EAGLE" PARTS MADE IN AMERICA X.3381. The "Eagle" engine fitted with these parts has now run a total of 53 1/2 hours. We stopped down because the oil pressure was failing. When we examined the oil filter, we found somewhat metal. We have now dismantled the whole engine and find that the crankshaft is broken on No.3 journal. The fracture follows a line of 45° and joins the holes which are plugged at the end of the webs and oil hole in No. 3 journal. The number of the crank is 101 [crossed out] 1105. We are having photographs taken of the fracture and will send them later on, also particulars of analysis and tests on material. The engine has been running on the hanger at 1800 revs. full throttle. The cylinders, pistons, connecting rods and valves, are in good condition. The cylinders are the first set of American we tested in which 11 out of 12 leaked after 18 hours running. They were re-welded at the Works; all the vertical seams were gone over again and the joint round the bends. They have now run a further 18 hours with no signs of a leak. It is possible to reweld a finished ground cylinder distortion except for the joint at the bottom of the jacket to the cylinder, it so happens that we never get any leaks from that joint. EH. | ||