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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).
Engine horsepower test report investigating the effect of compression leakage on performance.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 74\4\  scan0148
Date  19th May 1915
  
Handwritten notes: 2147 156 (top right corner), X990 (left margin)

From Exp. Dept.
Copies for:
J.{Mr Johnson W.M.}
R.{Sir Henry Royce}
E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer}
Na.{Mr Nadin}

Wor{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}/EH3/L19515.

May 19th. 1915.

Engine Horse Power Test.

Why different cars vary in horse power is always cropping up. Although we are not in a position to say exactly why this happens the results of some tests taken at various times might be of interest.

The point I was out to prove in these tests was how much leakage of compression was possible before it had any appreciable effect on the horse power. I made a test on a standard car on the dynamometer by drilling one 1/16" hole through a brass plug on each cylinder. This allowed the compression to escape freely and when the engine was turned by the hand no compression could be felt.

| Revs. | Standard. | H.P. With 1/16" hole in brass plug. | Difference. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 750 | 31.1 | 28 | 3.1 |
| 1000 | 40.1 | 38.3 | 2.8 |
| 1250 | 46.2 | 44.2 | 2.0 |
| 1500 | 50.3 | 49.3 | 1.0 |
| 1750 | 51.7 | 51.7 | not measurable |

The result of this test is what one would expect, that is, the loss in power due to leakage only is inversely
  
  


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