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).
Issue of the New Phantom crankshaft pinion working loose.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 65\4\ scan0170 | |
| Date | 10th October 1926 | |
| Hm.{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} c. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} X.8010 12-0 EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}2/Hl.10.26. re. New PhantomCodename for PHANTOM I Crankshaft Pinion Working Loose. Some time ago we had trouble during our final acceptance tests of engines failing, due to the crankshaft pinion slipping and actually shearing the key. The matter was taken up very strenuously at the time and action was taken as regards the fitting of the crankshaft pinion to make sure that this should not occur again. Special tests and inspection have also since been carried out to ensure that cars are satisfactory in this respect, and as far as possible, likely to remain so. At the time we did not take any retrospective action other than to circulate the Depots as per Sheet No. 493, copies of which you have, simply pointing out that in cases of performance failure which may have been ascertained due to faulty valve timing, this trouble may be the cause of it. We understand, however, that one or two failures have been reported, and Sales Dept. have recently become rather concerned about it, owing to one of their early Trials Cars (I believe 103-MC) recently failing, although it had run a considerable distance. We also understand that they have about seven cases of this failure having taken place. It may be considered advisable at this stage for a further Depot Sheet to be circulated, or for something more definite to be done retrospectively, to make sure that cars are not about to fail or likely to fail from this trouble. Will BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} advise on this matter. As far as I can ascertain, there appear to be no failures taking place since action was taken at the Works, as referred to above. EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} | ||