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).
20-HP distributor rotor failure on car GXL-6 which caused complete engine failure.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 61b\2\ scan0101 | |
| Date | 10th April 1929 | |
| EFC. X5690 EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}3/H10.4.29. re. 20-HP. Distributor Rotor Failure. I am sending you herewith a rotor which has failed during final complete car test of GXL-6. You will note there is a leakage between the centre spindle and the distributor blade. This failure has evidently taken place in spite of the rotor having been put through the high tension test, also it did not fail during our ordinary routine chassis test. It is certainly rather an exception, and we do not seem to have the trouble with this failure now that we had some time ago, but at the same time is a very serious matter, and in this case caused complete failure of the engine, apart from the fact that it also causes the magneto ignition to be no good. Again it may be pointed out that this is the old type distributor, whereas the present standard is the mushroom type. I suggest, however, that even the mushroom type lends itself to a similar failure. I shall be glad if you will give this matter your attention, as the matter has been brought to our attention by Sales Dept. and although they appreciate this may be an isolated case they are naturally anxious to be assured that the trouble is not likely to arise generally. EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} Seen HEW. | ||