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).
S.S.I. Spectre engine failure detailing seized connecting rods and broken pistons during a trial run.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 91\4\ scan0188 | |
| Date | 1st August 1935 | |
| HOTEL DE FRANCE, CHATEAUROUX, Indre. France. GWH{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}/2/JAB. Ist August 1935. +300a To. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} From. G.W.H. S. S. I. SPECTRECodename for Phantom III. The Engine failed yesterday during a trial run for Carburetters and Tyres. Third Gear was being used, to warm up Engine. No higher than 65 MPH. speed was reached. I noticed that the oil temperature which was 85°c very suddenly start to rise and in less than 30 seconds was up to 100°c, oil pressure O.K. water temp. 85°c. Upon shutting down immediately, a knock developed, smoke was issuing from the rocker cover and at first we thought another push rod had broken. Upon examination this was found not to be so. When the Engine was started up again, a slight knock was prominent, oil pressure gradually built up to 19 lbs. No trouble was experienced in getting back. Upon dismantling the Engine, we found that N° 2 Connecting rod had partially seized on the crankpin, also the bearing of the inner rod on the outer bearing of the articulated rod, the bearings had distorted. The crankpin was found to be blue on the side nearest to the centre of the crankshaft, from oil hole to oil hole, while the other half was a light straw colour. N° 1 Piston on the B side, the skirt had broken off from the parellel slot, further examination found N° 6 Piston of A side, cracks had started from either end of the parellel slot, one is approximately 3/4 of an inch long, the other 1/4" long. We presume from this, that the breaking of N° 1 Piston had nothing to do with the seizing of the rod and was a co-incidence. None of the remaining Pistons show any sign of cracks. All the connecting rods show over-heating on the top side of the gudgeon pin. The rod is bluish. ---------- G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} W. H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} | ||