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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).
Test report on a Stutz car, detailing engine vibrations, noises, and performance comparisons.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 23\5\  Scan047
Date  16th January 1928
  
Private 4336
Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}
EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}3/H16.1.28.

re. STUTZ CAR.

With reference to my test of the above car, the following are my comments which you may find interesting:-

(1) Engine vibrations etc.

When first driving this car, ones impressions are rather disappointing, inasmuch as there is a very disagreeable booming takes place up to about 30 m.p.h. which one could easily blame the engine for, but I feel that this trouble emanates from the exhaust. Probably you are investigating this, and I should certainly like your opinion about it.

Again, there is a decidedly objectionable crankshaft period between 35 and 40 mph. This vibration is also felt on the second gear and a very bad period vibration takes place at about 48 mph to 50 mph.

Apart from this, one must confess that the engine vibration as regards torque reaction, both forward, high speed and retard is exceptionally good, and makes us feel that our Phantom and 20-HP. cars are both poor in this respect in comparison.

(2) Engine noises.

When the engine is definitely throttled down to run slow, it is as quiet as a Phantom although clicking noises from the valve mechanism seem to be as pronounced as on the Phantom, and the engine does not seem as quiet in this respect as when I first heard it running in the Experimental Dept. sometime ago. The valve and tappet mechanism also seems to be noisy at all speeds and is distinctly heard as a prominent feature of the engine when driving on the road. Possibly these features require adjustment.

Engine gears whine objectionably when the engine is doing any speed.

The engine can be throttled down to run remarkably slowly on top gear.

There are definite signs of piston knocks, i.e. piston "slaps" when picking up both cold and hot.
(slits - under bonnet)

The exhaust blows picking up from low speeds.

The torque of the engine below 20 mph. seems poor, but above 20 mph. seems good.

The clutch was rather inclined to grab and not easy to manipulate.

Continued.
  
  


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