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 roughness and vibration issues on a GAJ-53 Barkerlite Limousine.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 58\1\ Scan129 | |
| Date | 7th December 1927 | |
| S/W. Copy to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} GAJ-53 - Barkerlite Limousine. I am sending this car to Derby immediately, and until we have it back in London we shall be without a demonstration car of this type. Owing to engine roughness and vibration when picking up, the car as it stands would be quite harmful in connection with demonstration work. Twice has this car been in our repair shops for attention resulting from the complaint referred to above, and on each occasion after dismantling and refitting the slipper drive a definite improvement has been effected but has not remained "put". About three weeks ago I complained that this engine was too rough when picking up but decided not to do anything for the moment. I now find that this roughness has greatly increased so that the car cannot be used for trials. EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}, who has seen this car, takes the view that the trouble is primarily or greatly due to the type of body, which appears to have resonance in this case, but having regard to the fact that a definite improvement was achieved by both N. and the Test Department after attention was given to the slipper drive, it is obvious that we should be in a position to make some improvement, apart from any assistance we may get later from the coachbuilders. As everyone concerned knows, the consideration of this question of the slipper drive on the Twenty is one of the greatest urgency. We do not propose that N. shall give any further attention to this matter on this car because the result has proved expensive and useless after a short time. It is to be hoped that Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} with his special knowledge of the circumstances and any modifications which may be possible to the part giving trouble may be able to effect some permanent improvement. It is important that immediate attention be given to this matter, and I shall be anxious to hear your views after the car has arrived. PN.{Mr Northey} | ||