The Rolls-Royce B range was a range of petrol engines first intended to be installed in a car but in 1943 developed into a range to power the British Army's wheeled vehicles.
[Rolls-Royce Motors Holdings Limited. ''The Times'', Monday, May 07, 1973; pg. 23; Issue 58775]
The
Alvis Saladin
The FV601 Saladin is a six-wheeled armoured car developed by Crossley Motors and later manufactured by Alvis. Designed in 1954, it replaced the AEC Armoured Car in service with the British Army from 1958 onward. The vehicle weighed 11 tonnes, o ...
and
Rolls-Royce Phantom IV
The Rolls-Royce Phantom IV is a British automobile produced by Rolls-Royce. Only eighteen were made between 1950 and 1956. They were only built for buyers whom Rolls-Royce considered worthy of the distinction: the British royal family and heads ...
were fitted with 8-cylinder versions.
Overview
Common features
The B range of engines were all of the
inline configuration, with
crossflow inlet-over-exhaust cylinder heads and were
naturally aspirated. They were heavily rationalized engines, which made use of as many common parts across the range as possible, for example, the 8 cylinder versions used 2 sets of the oil bath air filters, exhaust manifolds and points components of the 4 cylinder, while using the same carburettor as the 6. Pistons, rods, valves, springs, liners, etc. were common across the range, until the introduction of the overbored xx1 series, which still attempted to use as many common components as possible.
The engines were designed to produce relatively high power outputs (for the time), while being extremely reliable and running on low grade "pool" petrol. They were designed to be simple to maintain, with washable oil and fuel filters, mechanical fuel pumps and could all be started via a hand crank.
Models
The engines were available in 5 main models, which were fitted to small to medium tactical vehicles, up to about 13 tonnes in mass. They were also used in some fixed and mobile plant equipment.
Leyland 6x6 Recovery vehicle and Leyland 6x6 Gun Tractor
Marks
The engines were manufactured in 8 marks. For example, the Daimler Ferret was fitted with the B60 Mk 3A in early production and the B60 Mk 6A in the later production examples. The table below details the main differences between the marks, but there were also minor differences, such as changes to pulley configurations and accessories as well. Depending on the fitment of the engine, different accessories may also be installed so, for example, a B80 Mk 6A from an Alvis Saracen is not directly interchangeable with a B80 Mk 6A from an Alvis Saladin, as the Saladin is fitted with a high output 70A generator, and has different mounts for the engine, water piping, accessories and hydraulic system.
History
The group of engineers at Rolls-Royce's Clan Foundry in
Belper Derbyshire led by
W. A. Robotham
William Arthur Robotham (26 November 1899 - 1980) was a Rolls-Royce executive involved in the development of Rolls-Royce cars, during World War II of tanks and tank engines, and post-war of Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars complete with bodies and th ...
completed development of the
Rolls-Royce Meteor
The Rolls-Royce Meteor later renamed the Rover Meteor is a British tank engine that was developed during the Second World War. It was used in British tanks up to 1964. It was a result of co-operation between Leyland Motors and Rolls-Royce who bet ...
engine in 1943 and began work on this rationalised range of petrol engines to power a range of army combat vehicles. Development was completed and manufacture started at
Rolls-Royce Crewe in 1947.
B40 engines were required in large numbers for the British Army contract to build 15,000 ¼ton "Champs" over four years (1951-1956) plus spare engines and parts, and a further 400 vehicles for the Australian Army. Rolls-Royce were unable to cope with production at this rate and the Austin Motor Co were granted a licence to produce B40 Mk.5A engines, and also loaned tooling. The majority of Champs produced were fitted with Austin-built engines which are identified by 5-digit serial numbers.
Racing
In the 1950s,
Vanwall
Vanwall was a motor racing team and racing car constructor that was active in Formula One during the 1950s. Founded by Tony Vandervell, the Vanwall name was derived by combining the name of the team owner with that of his Thinwall bearings ...
raced a highly modified alloy block B40, combined with a cylinder head based on 4 heads from the
Norton Manx
The Norton Manx or Manx Norton is a British racing motorcycle that was made from 1947 to 1962 by Norton Motors Ltd. Norton had contested every Isle of Man TT race from the inaugural 1907 event through into the 1970s, a feat unrivalled by any ...
, in their Vanwall Specials. In race trim, these engines produced 290 bhp at 7,500 RPM when running on alcohol, and after a rule change in late 1957, this was reduced to about 260 bhp on 130 octane aviation fuel. Despite this, the cars were moderately successful, earning the constructor's championship in 1958.
Modern Usage
Due to the popularity of 1950s and 1960s British Military vehicles with collectors, many Rolls-Royce B range engines are still in use.
* The original
MOD
Mod, MOD or mods may refer to:
Places
* Modesto City–County Airport, Stanislaus County, California, US
Arts, entertainment, and media Music
* Mods (band), a Norwegian rock band
* M.O.D. (Method of Destruction), a band from New York City, US ...
specification called for the use of OMD-110 oil, which has a civilian equivalent rating of a straight 30W detergent mineral
motor oil
Motor oil, engine oil, or engine lubricant is any one of various substances used for the lubrication of internal combustion engines. They typically consist of base oils enhanced with various additives, particularly antiwear additives, deterg ...
. A later specification substituted a 10W30 and some owners use a 20W50 without problems. In any case, owners need to ensure that the oil is compatible with yellow and white metals used in the engine.
* Due to their low compression ratios and hardened valve seats, the B range of engines are suitable for use with unleaded fuel, without modification.
[''Service Bulletin JGH/WAD'', Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited, Crewe, 1989, p. 1]
See also
*
Rolls-Royce C range engines
The Rolls-Royce ''C range'' was a series of in-line 4, 6 and 8 cylinder diesel engines used in small railway locomotives, construction vehicles, marine and similar applications. They were manufactured by the Rolls-Royce Oil Engine Division heade ...
References
Bibliography
*
*
* {{Cite book
, title=In National Service
, last=Ware , first=Pat
, publisher=Warehouse Publications
, year=1994
, isbn=0-9525563-0-8
B range
Gasoline engines by model
Straight-four engines
Straight-six engines
Straight-eight engines