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).
Report on the use of aluminium cylinder heads, referencing the experience of the Mack Truck Co.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 14\3\ Scan045 | |
| Date | 1st November 1929 | |
| X7050 RECEIVED NOV 1 1929 To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} cy. Bz. c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} From Oy. Oy1/W1.11.29. RE CYLINDER ( ALUMINIUM HEAD) I attach a report written on September 25th by Mr.Allen, Metallurgist at Springfield, referring to an interview with the representative of the Mack Truck Co., who have been producing aluminium cylinder heads longer than anyone else in the United States, a total of about 8 years. They started off by building a wet sleeve engine with an aluminium block and head, and an overhead valve gear. Due to trouble with the sleeve, they dropped this and produced an aluminium head with cast iron block. Apparently they are now on the point of abandoning the aluminium head for the reasons stated by Mr.Allen. I think Mr.Allen's note at the end of the letter should be carefully noted, i.e., that he thinks the gentleman in question was prejudiced against the aluminium head, and it will be necessary to make further enquiries before getting a fair opinion. However, I think the note is important as showing the sort of trouble which has arisen. I am writing to Springfield, pointing out the improvement obtained by the use of T.50 alloy, and the scheme for preventing the initial corrosion of the cast iron cylinder block which, apparently, is the first cause of the trouble by forming blue iron oxide on the walls of the cylinder jacket. OY. Maurice Olley Attd. Copy of Mr.Allen's letter dated 25/9/29. | ||