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).
Performance and wear report on a car after extensive mileage, detailing the status of its engine and various components.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 107\1\ scan0132 | |
| Date | 18th August 1932 | |
| S/W. x7960. Lp.{Mr Lappin}1/LAM.18.8.32. To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Lp.{Mr Lappin} Copy to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} Re: GEN-60. As you wish to inspect the crankshaft in the engine of the above car, I hope to deliver same to you on Friday, the 19th August. The car has been driven hard and has generally averaged about 38/40 m.p.h. Its performance has been favourably commented on by Air Ministry Officials and others. (1) The present engine was fitted in November 1931, and during a running time of roughly eight months has completed 20219 miles. (2) The nitro alloy crankshaft, con. rods, pistons and timing gears have done 20219 miles. Since fitting the new material in the slipper drive some months ago, the engine has run consistently smoothly throughout the speed range. (3) New combustion head with bronze valve seats has done 8191 miles and given no trouble. Engine has kept its tune well. (4) Lodge 14 m/m plugs have run 5680 miles, have given excellent service, required no attention, slow running good and no pre-ignition at top speed. (5) S.U. Carburetter has done 5000 miles and given no trouble. Consumption, including a lot of in and out of London and fast driving, is about 15.3 m.p.gall. 305 gallons of petrol have been used for 4677 miles, and 200 gallons of this was Ethyl and the remainder Redline. (6) Thin Gasket. This has done 5000 miles and with this compression ratio the engine runs well on Ethyl and is free from detonation. With other fuels detonation is much in evidence and entails constant use of ignition control to a point where there is loss of power. (7) Petrolift Pump. One failure has occurred due to over-tightening of filter cap at bottom. A Zenith Filter is essential between pump and tank. The pump is noisey and pulsates violently when the petrol level in tank has dropped to about three gallons. (8) Brakes are fair, but spongey if used hard and stood on. | ||