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).
Report analyzing the costs associated with cylinder wear and maintenance intervals on Bentley cars.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 132\5\ scan0098 | |
| Date | 3rd May 1939 | |
| BY/SB.{Mr Bull/Mr Bannister}1/MG.3.5.39 (continued) - 2 - and other incidental expenses arising out of complaints. Therefore, taking a very broad view, and making every possible allowance, we have no hesitation in saying that the effects of cylinder wear cost the Company at least £700. per annum, added to which is the inconvenience, dissatisfaction, and loss of prestige which results. This means that, based on the total output of the Bentley, cylinder wear is costing us about 30/- per car. In other words, any improvement in cylinder material which puts the life up to 50,000 miles or more will represent a direct saving to the Company if the increase in cost per car is less than 30/- With the present improved bearings, we should then be in a position to regard bottom de-carbonisation as a waste of money, and merely do a top de-carb. every 15,000 miles until a re-bore is necessary. It is worth putting on record that re-bores these days are not necessary as a result of any complaint of piston knocks, these being few and far between, but either because of excessive oil consumption, or because when a bottom de-carbonisation is carried out, the cylinder wear figures are rather alarming and one dare not run the risk of putting the pistons back again. For this reason, we would like to see the end of any necessity for bottom de-carbs up to 50,000 miles. BY/SBSB | ||