Tests to prevent oil leakage down valve stems using Neoprene sealing washers.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 158\5\ scan0042 | |
| Date | 15th May 1939 | |
| 1360 + 654 To By. {R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} from Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} /Swdl. {Len H. Swindell} c. Es. c. Da. {Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. Mx. {John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} c. De/Mos. c. RM {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} /GWH. {George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} /Swdl. {Len H. Swindell} 7/WH.15.5.39. We have carried out tests with regard to stopping the oil going down the valve stems, in conjunction with Mx. {John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} Commencing with the original scheme ECD.84b which housed a Klingerit washer in the top spring washer, these disintegrated or jumped out. A modification to the above scheme has been tried (ECD.1022) and up to the present has worked very satisfactorily, having completed 4,700 miles on Hs {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} 's car without complaint of misfiring etc. through oil on the plugs. The Neoprene washers are intact and in good condition. A similar set have recently been fitted to a Wraith Trials car by GWH. {George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} but as yet no information is available. The scheme consists of a wedge-shaped recess in the top washer and a correspondingly shaped Neoprene sealing washer is, by its pliable nature, clipped into position. We consider that these show sufficient promise to be incorporated on chassis which are troubled with recurrent oiling of plugs etc. | ||
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).