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).
Technical memorandum replying to queries about Bentley carburettors and comparing their performance to Rolls-Royce systems.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 85\4\ scan0094 | |
| Date | 27th October 1934 | |
| W/S - H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} from HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. to Bly.{B. W. Bleaney - Bentley Sales} c. to Bt.{Capt. J. S. Burt - Engineer} < 206 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}4/KW.27.10.34. Bentley Carburetters. Replying to H.17/NM.24.10.34. We consider that you should ask Kingsbury to support some of the statements they make with concrete evidence. For instance, we consider it is quite incorrect to say that the slow running adjustment is a compromise between regular slow running and proper carburation. The slow running has nothing to do with avoiding flat spots when opening up. We disagree that the carburetters are very susceptible to change of temperature or atmospheric conditions. We have had no experience of the life of the jets being short if the carburetters are erected properly in the first place. We should be most interested to see any such parts. We disagree that the slow running is completely upset by going from one fuel to another, unless such fuels contain such a large percentage of Benzole or alcohol that they would also upset the running of a Rolls-Royce carburetter. Bh. has recently concluded an extensive tour of the Continent, during which he used the petrol obtainable, and has no complaints to make. We have similar experience. The fact that the Bentley slow running when properly set is not as good as the Rolls-Royce slow running has very little to do with the carburetter utilised. The Bentley has a camshaft and induction system arranged for high speed running; to get the best results at high speeds even slow running is sacrificed. For the same reason the Bentley valve gear is more noisy. Owing to the high compression used, the sparking plugs have a harder time and are more likely to be affected by wireless suppressors, this is worth noting. On the other hand, the Repair Dept. have found exceedingly few cases of faulty plugs. | ||