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).
Engine pinking in trials cars, recommending the use of Ethyl fuel over Shell No.1 petrol.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 150\1\ scan0119 | |
| Date | 16th June 1936 | |
| X1282 To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}20/KW.16.6.36. Fuel for Trials Cars. Every time a trials car comes up to the Works we notice that it is pinking very badly. We understand that all these cars are run on Shell No.1 petrol. On both the big bore 20/25 and the big bore Bentley, we have gone to a certain amount of expense to ensure that these engines are perfectly suitable for Ethyl fuel, the precaution necessary being the use of austenitic exhaust valves stellited. Ethyl fuel will definitely reduce pinking and in this respect it is a better fuel than Shell; furthermore, it is obtainable all over the country. We therefore recommend that it should be used for demonstration work. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||