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).
Correction for incorrectly specified valve springs on the Phantom III model.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 96\2\ scan0116 | |
| Date | 8th June 1936 | |
| Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Swdl.{Len H. Swindell}15/KW.8.6.36. Phantom III Valve Springs. Since the Phantom III has been in production the wrong specification of valve springs have been fitted. The mistake came about in the following manner. In the specification RHC{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}/CP.1/EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}14.1.36, stronger valve springs were fitted to Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}24 outer, and Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}1828 inner, as found necessary to keep the .375" dia. stem valve from bouncing which were fitted at the time to E.87583/4. Instructions were then issued that the above valves were not to be used but revert back to the smaller stem valves E.86783/87424. This was carried out, but in conjunction with the stronger springs Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}24 & Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}1828 which were accordingly detailed and given E.87951/2 numbers. When reverting back to the small stem valves we should also have reverted back to the springs which were found suitable and detailed to E.87498/86364, and should now be on production. In the memo. RHC{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}/CP.1/EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}17.1.36, the whole thing is corrected but unfortunately was not issued to you. The result is that we are running with over-stressed valve springs and unnecessarily heavy seat loadings. The 10,000 miles test is being run with the correct springs, E.87498/86364. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/L.H.Swindall. Correct Springs. Outer E.87498 44 lbs. seat load Inner E.86364 14.5 " " " Total 58.5 " " " Incorrect on Production. Outer E.87952 55 lbs. seat load Inner E.87951 21 " " " 76 lbs. " " | ||