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).
Inspection report detailing the condition and failure analysis of engine components including cylinder liners, connecting rods, and bearings.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 91\2\ scan0372 | |
| Date | 23th September 1937 | |
| - 3 - HPS{Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr}/RH.{R. Hollingworth}1/VS.{J. Vickers}23.9.37. Cylinder Liners (Continued). The Liners were removed, examined for corrosion and found to be in good condition internally and externally. Rubber Joint Rings were free from leaks and appeared satisfactory. Connecting Rods LOP.E.84691. LeC.5330. Modification to Panel Milling of Connecting Rods (already standardised). These were crack tested and found satisfactory, wear in the small end bushes being negligible. Big-End Bearings in Standard Production W/Mt. As previously mentioned, these bearings were the worst feature of the Unit. No. 3 bearing failed completely after 16,355 miles, badly scoring the Crankpin. All the other bearings were in a poor condition, large pieces of metal having broken away from the steel shells. Photographs of these bearings are attached. The condition of the bearings was too bad to allow of measurements being taken. The particular cause of the failure could not be found, but it is possible that the cutting out of the oil cooler during the last 1,000 miles might have had detrimental effects on the bearings. The new set of big-ends fitted to enable the car to resume running ran for 755 miles, when No. 3 bearing again failed due to the scored crankpin. The Plain Rods were in good condition, except No. 3 which was scored by the second bearing. Herewith chart Ex.I.218 giving dimensions. Cylinders LOP.E.88786. E.88758. Four Port Cylinder Heads. These were in good condition, as were the Valve Seats. So far as we can ascertain no seats were loose. Wear on Valve Guides was normal for the mileage. continued. | ||