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 testing, detailing oiling issues, modifications to drain grooves, and notes on future tests.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 65\1\ scan0213 | |
| Date | 30th August 1938 guessed | |
| contd :- -2- .We have not so far experienced trouble with any of the other bearings in the gearcase. Trouble has been experienced with oil building up in the oil chamber of the ignition tower and being discharged through the relay and ignition tower. This was found due to the oil drain grooves, which are arranged to permit the drainage oil to run down over the driven skew gear, being too small - there being 6 grooves .125 wide by .062 deep. We are experimentally altering this to 12 equally spaced slots .250 wide by .075 deep. During the initial running in stages of this engine we used a main oil pressure as high as 60 lbs/sq.in. but experienced no oiling up troubles. We think therefore the lower scraper rings on the pistons will be a considerable help in overcoming over-oiling troubles. It is of course early yet to give any definite report on this but later we shall be able to give some oil consumption figures. All our tests so far have been conducted with open exhaust pipes but we are getting the manifold and piping fitted up so that we shall be better able to observe the effect of the plain bearings in the gearcase on noise, also the improved construction of the timing gears. Tomorrow we hope to be able to report on the petrol suction pump and shew its suction and delivery when coupled with the Autovac. We like the new type top tappet adjustment and find this a considerable improvement on the Phantom eccentric type of adjustment in obtaining accurate tappet setting. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/A.C.Lovesey | ||