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).
Trouble with sparking plugs on Merlin engines due to leaded fuel and proposing a solution.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 58\2\ Scan285 | |
| Date | 27th January 1936 | |
| E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} From Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Wst. c. to F/Bn.{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} 86000. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Wst.7/MA.27.1.36. SPARKING PLUGS ON MERLIN ENGINES. We are continually having trouble with sparking plugs on Merlin engines due to the threads picking up on the bronze insert in the cylinder head. This picking up is due to the lead from the fuel creeping up on the thread and has been experienced by other engine makers working under high boosted conditions with leaded fuel. A cure is to use bottom seated plugs and these have already been standardised by Messrs.Napiers on the Dagger engines. We suggest therefore that new inserts be provided on the Merlin E engine arranged for bottom seating of the plug instead of seating on the copper washer as at present. We have plugs available for inspection wich are arranged for bottom seating. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Wst. | ||