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).
The frequent and alarming issue of crashing late model Phantom II starter motors.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 62\1\ scan0163 | |
| Date | 29th September 1933 | |
| COPY N-W Hd.{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy} Br2/W29.9.33. Re: Technical - Crashing of Late Model Ph.II Starter Motors. ---------------------------------------------------------- Confirming my conversation with Hd{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy}/WT. the above trouble is becoming alarmingly frequent. We have already in the past week dealt with 146-GY, 150-MY, 152-MY, 28-MS, and 130-MY, and in each of these cases we have had to renew the starter ring, and as you know, this is a very expensive job because it entails dismantling the gearbox and clutch in order to get at the flywheel. We also have four more cars coming to us next week with the same trouble. We at N. take the view that the trouble is entirely in the Starter motors. In each case we have found that the gap of the contacts is .005" or less. In most cases also we have found the floating bush to be very tight, also the damper piston ring is very tight. All these conditions make the starters very sluggish. In our opinion the contacts should be set nearer .020" and this would allow the starter pinion to practically engage before turning, and thereby lessen the risk of damaging the teeth. None of these cars have done a big mileage and it would appear in view of the number we have received recently there is likely to be an epidemic of trouble unless some retrospective action is taken. Will you please have the matter carefully considered and also our suggestion that it would be as well to issue a Depot Sheet for all starter motors to be examined when they come to hand in order to alter the gap of the contacts or at any rate do something to prevent this damage to toothed rings. In due course we shall be glad to hear from you on the above subject. Br.{T. E. Bellringer - Repair Manager} | ||