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).
Preliminary report on the merits and defects of an overhead camshaft design for a Bentley.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 113\5\ scan0169 | |
| Date | 28th October 1936 | |
| Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} & Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} C. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} C. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} C. to Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} V 207 Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}15/MJ.28.10.36. OVERHEAD CAMSHAFT - BENTLEY. The potential basic merits of this design so far appear to be - (1) An overhead camshaft valve gear which with the exception of the drive, is at least as silent as the operation of the present Bentley. (2) Apparently good anti-detonating characteristics. (3) Good idling and slow running. (4) Excellent power characteristic both at low and high speeds. Max. power developed 26% more than present Standard Bentley. The apparent defects are - (1) Bad water leaks around cylinder head joint, these may be masking detonation characteristics. (2) Noisy period in the chain driving the camshaft. Naturally the running so far carried out has been very limited, no endurance has been possible. Also the design has certain characteristics in common with the aero ramp head. It will be remembered that the latter though giving early promise, has since proved disappointing. From the preliminary results, however, it would appear to be well worth while for design and development to make a concerted effort to overcome the defects observed with the minimum of delay, so that the design can be subjected to prolonged road tests with a view to forming a considered opinion as to its desirability. superficially it is most promising. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||