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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).
Letter detailing a comparative test between Duckham's oil and another brand to resolve engine carbonisation issues.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 145\3\  scan0120
Date  6th November 1936
  
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A.{Mr Adams} F.{Mr Friese} Sidgreaves Esq.,                    6th November 1936.

difficulties with stops due to carbonisation and I had heard that Duckham, with his technical chemical knowledge, had got over acute lubrication difficulties for another firm and, therefore, decided to see what his oils would do for us.

I had the pistons of both these engines cleaned and then one engine was run on Duckham's oil and the other on the oil already being used, which was supplied by one of the best known American firms in the country. Both oils were delivered in plain barrels especially marked, their origin only known to myself and our Chief Engineer. After a month the engines were opened up on a Saturday afternoon in the presence of myself, the Chief Engineer and the engine drivers. The results were really extraordinary; the rings and piston heads of one engine were full of hardish carbonacious matter and in the case of the other, which had been fed with Duckham's oil, there was a perfectly clean film of oil on all surfaces.

Since that day I have used only Duckham's oil and have obtained the same excellent results.

I venture to give you this little history thinking it may interest you.

By the way, now that I am giving up my
  
  


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