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 discussing Silcrome X valves with Stellite facing and the acquisition of a Rolls Bentley engine.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 150\1\ scan0110 | |
| Date | 4th May 1936 | |
| CABLEGRAMS. ETHYLPORT, LONDON. TELEGRAMS: ETHYLPORT, SOWEST. Handwritten: Seiler 1282. ETHYL EXPORT CORPORATION Incorporated in the State of Delaware U.S.A. with limited liability. THAMES HOUSE, MILLBANK LONDON, S.W.1 Telephone: VICTORIA 5520 Handwritten: SWDL{Len H. Swindell} HEAD OFFICE: 135 EAST 42ND STREET NEW YORK, U.S.A 4th May, 1936. W.A. Robotham Esq., Experimental Department, Messrs. Rolls-Royce Ltd., Nightingale Road, DERBY. Dear Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}, I have just received a letter from Sam Heron, and I quote herewith two paragraphs from it. I would be glad to have your remarks concerning the second paragraph. "Replying to yours of February 28th. Jardine is shipping Rolls some Silcrome X valves with Stellite facing. These valves are in the rough and Rolls are to finish them themselves. These valves are supplied on Rolls-Royce account. I have a suspicion that Silcrome X is not really the best steel for the Bentley. If a Stellite facing is used the high silicon content of Silcrome X is certainly unnecessary on the seat, is probably undesirable as regards hot strength, and its value as regards scaling, burning, etc. where leaded fuel is used is distinctly doubtful. Jardine has imported some of the Firth steel containing 18 chrome 2 nickel and .5 silicon, and will carry out forging and Stelliting tests on this. If this material is satisfactory he will make up one or two sets of finished valves to the drawing you sent, and they will be forwarded to you for delivery to Rolls. I have discussed the matter of a Rolls Bentley engine of 3-1/2 litres capacity with Bartholomew. He said he would like to have it if it will not cost over $300.00 delivered here. This means $200.00 or less in England. I discussed this matter with Ray and he was under the impression that Rolls intended to give us the engine!! Bartholomew states that if we got the engine we would probably not be able to do any work on it for some months but that when we did all data would be available to Rolls." Yours sincerely, [Signature] FRB/BB | ||