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).
Engine performance, detailing issues with timing gears, clutch, fan, and choke valve during testing.
Identifier | ExFiles\Box 108\3\ scan0171 | |
Date | 4th April 1938 | |
-3- Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer}1/N.4.4.38 Cont'd.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} Engine. General performance good. Worst feature is the rattle from timing gears when idling and picking up under load. It can be eliminated by light pressure on dynamo drive. A considerable amount of backlash has developed, more than four times the normal amount, which indicates wear of gear teeth, probably the Fabroil gear. This is being investigated. The engine is smooth and free from periods throughout the normal speed range. There is a light rattle from the pedal mechanism above 72 m.p.h. In an endeavour to overcome this, the standard stay between pedal shaft and engine was replaced at Chateauroux by a stranded wire cable. About 150 miles from Paris on the first day of the trip, this cable came adrift, as a result of this a violent clutch judder ensued when starting from rest, which allowed the fan to foul the radiator yoke piece, damaging two of the blades. The remainder of the tour was run without a fan. There was no loss of water during the whole of the 2117 miles. The overflow pipe being fitted with a special steam valve fitted experimentally. The engine started up readily under all conditions. It was necessary to lift the bonnet and close the choke valve by hand when starting from cold. Sticking of the choke has been experienced throughout the 15,000 miles test. A modification which consists of reducing the length of choke spindle bearing seems promising and this has been applied without any other alteration since car returned to W. this effected an immediate improvement. There is no sign of detonation. The engine is reasonably clean and free from oil leaks. Cont'd...... | ||