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).
Engine overheating tests, cylinder head material issues, and a new fan for the Goshawk project.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 46\2\ Scan317 | |
| Date | 12th June 1922 | |
| X4086 To Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} RE GOSHAWK We have received your report dated June 8th. We have been carrying out a number of tests at the Works investigating the overheating. We have tried on the engine on the test bed running boiling with full power on until only one quart of water was left in the system and the paint and oil was frizzling off the cylinder. This did no harm. We have also run 3-G.2 on the road and arranged the [crossed out] so that the water boiled. We then ran the car with the water boiling for 52 miles until it was obvious to anyone that the engine was overheated. One could smell burning paint and oil, and the engine was lacking in power and detonating badly. We found at the finish that there were only three pints of water left in the system. This caused no harm to the cylinder head. At the present time we believe the cylinder head trouble may be due to the fact that a number of cylinder heads were produced in the early stages made of semi-steel - others were made of cast iron. As far as we can trace at present, it appears that it is the semi-steel heads which have cracked so readily. We quite agree with you as regards the fan. From tests taken measuring the rate of flow through the Goshawk radiator, this is about half of what we get on the standard 40/50. There is a new fan instructed, but it demands a new fan bracket. We are anticipating starting up full speed in the Expl. Shop on Wednesday. The Works will be full going on Thursday, we hope. As soon as ever it is possible, we propose getting one of these new fans made, and will send it out to you by the drivers who will be sent to replace the men you have there. We should like to know from you whether any programme has been arranged for 7-Gos.II. Is CJ. arranging for the running of that car? We wish to know this because there are several parts on that car which we should like to modify. We assume that you will arrange with the driver of that car to keep a log of the miles run and any work done to the car. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||