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).
Review of vehicle maintenance schedules, discussing service intervals for oil changes, tappet clearances, and spark plugs.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 26\2\ Scan393 | |
| Date | 26th June 1930 guessed | |
| -7- (p.43) Item 1. See p.26 Am.book. We say - Drain every 1000 m.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} in summer 700 m.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} in winter. Never flush with kerosene. Drain overnight with engine warm. Clear strainer only twice a year. I do not believe draining every 2000 m.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} is quite good enough to avoid dilution (at least in winter). Nor is there need to clean strainer every time. Sump plug is now on side of crankcase (requires picture). "Oil strainer" instead of "filter" to distinguish from real filter. Is there any need to clean strainer at all, or more often than once a year, with disc filter? Should we not call for draining off the casing of the disc filter every 5000 miles? Item 4. Taking up shock damper connections every 2000 miles. Believe entirely unnecessary with new spring-loaded joints? Item 8. Checking tappet clearances every 2000 m.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Should this not be an item to do "if necessary"? There is no wear to occasion such frequent adjustment. 404-MR has run 8000 m.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} without attention. Item 9. "Spark Plugs". We consider it best not to adjust plug gaps but to put in new plugs once a year. Common American practice. Item 11. Fan belt. Should this not run at least 5000 m.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} without attention? (P.44) Carburetter float chamber. Should not require attention with disc filter fitted. Note re leaking float unadvisable? Tank filter - "Strainer"? Should not these items be listed under "emergency items". (p.45) We like to say "Drain and refill gearbox and rear axle twice a year" corresponding to the use of thinner oil in winter and thicker in summer. You say fill up twice a year (or 5000 m.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore}) and drain every 20,000 m.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Only point about this is that it does not allow for the thinning of gearbox oil in winter for ease of shifting. cont'd.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} | ||