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 to Vandervell Products Ltd regarding the failure of a main bearing thrust washer and proposing alternative solutions.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 115\3\ scan0253 | |
| Date | 9th July 1938 | |
| 1020 EXPERIMENTAL DEPARTMENT. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Swdl.{Len H. Swindell}7/JH. 9th July, 1938. Messrs. Vandervell Products Ltd., Western Avenue, Park Royal, LONDON.W.3. For the attention of Mr. Vandervell Dear Sirs, Since your recent visit we have had a short run on the second set of your main bearings and find that the thrust washer is beginning to break up on its face despite the fact that unlike the first set we now have a liberal quantity of oil at this face. As we proposed sending this unit equipped with your bearings etc. for a long road test the failure of the thrust washers places us in such a position that we have contemplated fitting our own rear main bearing which actually takes the thrust on its flange. Before doing this however we would like you to have the opportunity of producing a flanged rear bearing for us, thus obviating the loose thrust washers. In order to fit in the above unit it would be necessary for us to receive this bearing not later than the 14th. Failing the above we wonder if we have the best material on these thrust washer faces as per the bearings and if not would you supply us with your best possible washers say two sets, one as a spare. Our position is that we wish to give you every opportunity to obviate the trouble we have experienced with the thrust washers rather than us have to re bore the crankcase and fit one of our own flanged bearings and would be pleased therefore if you will give this job your immediate attention. Yours faithfully, FOR ROLLS-ROYCE LTD. | ||