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).
Starter motor and flywheel trouble on a Phantom III, chassis 3-AZ-178.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 130\2\ scan0307 | |
| Date | 27th November 1935 | |
| C O P Y. 1113 To Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} Cricklewood. Nov.27th,1935 Phantom III. 3-AZ-178. This car has returned to the Works today with starter motor trouble. The teeth on the flywheel have been so badly damaged that it has to be changed. The history of this car as far as I can gather is ; possession was taken a week ago. The driver upon trying to start up jammed the starter motor, mechanics from Lillie Hall went and put the job right. On Tuesday it again would not start. The starter motor pinion just bumped into the flywheel. Wednesday it came to Cricklewood. The flywheel teeth were trimmed up as best as they could be without dismantling. The starter motor trigger points were set to .030" instead of .015" as found. A series of starts were made and it seemed satisfactory. Yesterday,Thursday the driver rang up from the Westend saying he was held-up, starter motor not working. The car was brought to Cricklewood and the flywheel teeth were found to be in a very bad condition, needing a new ring. It would appear that the flywheel ring had been damaged before the Owner took possession of the Car, most probably at the Coach Builders. The point I would like to raise is the setting of the trigger in the starter motor. Cliburn informs me that with Ph.III they had a lot of trouble until the points were set to .035" - .040". Why are the Phantom III being set closer if this is the case .015". I understand that Cricklewood have dealt with another Ph.III. with a similar trouble. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/G.W.Hancock. | ||