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).
Comparison of engine repair methods and associated labor hours at the Kingsbury, Derby, and Paris depots.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 131\2\ scan0175 | |
| Date | 23th May 1938 | |
| - 2 - Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}S/G.23.5.38. The method adopted at Kingsbury in dealing with this job is as follows.- The cylinder head is removed complete with induction pipe etc. The cylinder block removed. Pistons removed. The holes in connecting rods plugged up and soldered in position. A quick method is used in replacing cylinder block etc. Oil pump fitted in the usual way. The job is completed and ready for the owner in 6½ hours. The total labour hours are 10½ (6½ skilled, 4 semi-skilled). This same job carried out at Derby and the Paris Depot vary. The Works Depot remove the side engine guards, lower half of engine sump, which necessitates undoing clutch case nuts and timing gear case nuts. The rods are plugged up and soldered from underneath, a difficult operation. In most cases dealt with, the connecting rod bearings are tightened up. The Paris Depot did the job in the same way, but always removed the connecting rods. Usually the time taken was two to three days, the actual labour hours being 23 skilled. By adopting the Kingsbury method a saving of 12½ labour hours are saved. A feature which should not be overlooked is the method of dealing with labour. Kingsbury asfar as is possible mate a skilled and semi-skilled together, the semi-skilled chiefly being an apprentice. Paris have practically no youths - all skilled. In dealing with engine bearings, a controversy as to which method is the less costly, keeping in mind approximately two more years of guarantee, is still debatable. The following are the various labour hours taken in routine jobs.- Actual average labour hrs entailed dealing with a top decaburisation, 15½ skilled, 9½ semi-skilled, Total labour 24½ hours. If a Modification B. or nipping of the bearings from underneath is carried out at the same time as a top decaburisation, the total labour hours are.- Top decaburisation 24½ hours. Nipping up bearings 46½ " Total labour hours ..... 71½. | ||