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).
10,000-mile vehicle test, detailing thermostat issues, engine performance, and front tyre wear.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 82\1\ scan0304 | |
| Date | 6th December 1933 | |
| K1/13A Hotel de France. Chateauroux. Indre. To HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} From G.W.H. 6.12.33 I. B. IV. We have received your memo HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}10/KT 4.12.33 We are gratified to know you have substantiated the report we sent you upon the loss of movement of the thermostat. In view of the fact that we are pressing to first get the 10,000 miles off our chest, we are doing no expt. work. We shall as soon as the mileage is completed carry out the various experimental features you have mentioned. We hope to accomplish the 10,000 miles this evening, and shall immediately dismantle the engine to examine the pistons. One realizes that this test is not serious in so much that the engine has had a very easy time. The high ratio axle is a definite bar to vigorous acceleration and high maximum speeds, therefore to pat yourself on the back because the pistons have got through is asking for a mighty illusion You will have to fit all your cars with the higher axle ratio until you have really let us try the pistons out. --- --- --- --- The Radiator load we will let you have as soon as possible The clutch will be examined to find the cause of wear. There positively has been no slip. The brake drum scheme is not one atom better for koeping water out than previous. The ignition plugs will be examined and fully reported upon. The engine is not as steady at low speeds as it was. WEAR OF FRONT TYRES We have carefully watched the change in wear of the tyres on the front and they go in stages. In the first stage the outside tread is worn rather quickly leaving the centre more or less untouched, 2nd stage the centre wears down steadily and the outer edges of the outside treads, 3rd stage all the centre tread is worn off leaving it smooth, but with a hump in the centre, the outside treads having worn to the same degree. The enclosed sketches will perhaps show you the different stages. The N.S. (France) front tyre has worn on the inside of the tread as you observed, but not the O.S. tyre(France). GWHancock. G.W.H. | ||