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).
Supercharger issues, including royalty, overheating, and oil requirements, while considering engine options for the Bensport chassis.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 30\2\ Scan071 | |
| Date | 30th September 1932 | |
| -2- Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}1/MA.30.9.32. Cont'd.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} (1) There may be difficulties over the royalty. (2) The temperature rise across the blower is excessively high. (3) It is essential to have oil in the petrol. (4) It is also important not to have any excess oil or this will cause overheating. It also increases the starting difficulties when cold. So far our criticisms are confined to the short amount of experience on the test bed. When we get on the road there is no doubt we shall add to these. We believe it should be assumed that we shall have to design, make, and develop our own superchargers whether we follow Powerplus or Roctes. We think we can dismiss from our minds altogether that we are going to be able to purchase a blower which will be satisfactory. The point that we are leading up to is that we are a long way off having a satisfactory supercharged Bensport engine. It is interesting to note that the Lagonda Co., who were pushing and producing supercharged cars, on their latest models have left off the supercharger. We want to press for the use of the J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} I engine in the Bensport chassis. This engine gives us the same power as our best anticipated figure for the Bensport. We do not believe we shall ever be able to use the Bensport power that we have assumed, but we are positive of being able to realise the performance with J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} I. If we picture the two cars we have Bensport with its sensitive engine including the supercharger. It will be essential to use special fuel, it will be essential to always remember to add oil to the petrol (if this is not done the supercharger may be destroyed), and we are certain to have a fussy car. The tax of this car would be £18. | ||