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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 from the USA regarding valve spring failures on a Bentley and observations on American car suspension systems.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 173\1\  img213
Date  5th February 1934
  
# 317
COPY OF REPORT RECEIVED FROM Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} IN U.S.A. DATED 25.1.34.

To Eg. from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rt.              Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rt. 26/KW.5.2.34.
c. to r.{Sir Henry Royce}
c. to S.
c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer}
c. to Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}
c. to Hdy.{William Hardy}

My time has been somewhat occupied in getting the Bentley to Detroit owing to the repeated valve spring failures. I dared not run the risk of a valve dropping into the cylinder and writing off the engine, so I finally left the car and got a complete set of new valve springs made in Detroit. I am fetching it to-morrow.

I got in for several S.A.E. papers as there has been a meeting of the society here. Olley read a paper on "Knee Action" which was a summary of the information I have already given you.

I contacted with the man who has been doing Chrysler's riding work and he says that with their forward engine they get such a large moment of inertia for the car that they, with 4" front spring deflection, can get as good a ride as Cadillac's do with 8" or 9" deflection. I shall be able to evaluate this when I have tried the cars. Generally speaking, however, the view is that engines must move much more forward still for frame stiffness, k economy of chassis etc. If this is so, our cross tube carrying the coil springs becomes an obstruction.

I have your wire. It seems to me I can easily spend three weeks in Detroit or more, and learn something all the time on independent suspension, apart from anything else.

At the moment I am not planning to sail until about March 15th, unless you cable me to the contrary. I believe I am more use here than in Derby for the time being.

Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}
  
  


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