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).
Terraplane engine, particularly the induction system and pistons, in comparison to other engine designs.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 21\6\ Scan138 | |
| Date | 12th February 1934 | |
| W/S. To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. Wer. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} re Terraplane. Re your memo Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}27/E.8.2.34, we already have full particulars of the Terraplane induction system, but we will arrange to get the remaining information we require concerning the engine, such as the weight and casting thicknesses when it is removed from the chassis. Nobody has yet seen the Terraplane pistons as it is impossible to get at these without removing the crankshaft and hence the engine from the chassis. I mention this because it has always been RR. practice to make it possible to remove the pistons without disturbing the crank and this is still necessary we consider! We propose to arrange this now by using a full floating gudgeon pin and pushing the piston up through the block until the pin is exposed, as we are also doing on SpectreCodename for Phantom III. The attached print LeC.3803 shows the fundamental dimensions for the 3" x 4.5" RR. Straight 8. The piston accessibility costs us .437" more height than the Terraplane on the engine. We have asked Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} to make a test replacing the exhaust heating on the induction system with generous water heating to observe effect on distribution. If satisfactory this is more suitable for the layout imposed by the transverse valves of the ramp head on our straight 8, or for the J.1. type of head whichever is used. We should be glad if Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} will cable Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} for his experience with water heating in U.S.A. We are pushing on with the general design of this engine and should like to discuss some of the problems of the installation with you next Tuesday. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Print LeC.3803.attached. | ||