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. [1]
The Alvis Saladin and Rolls-Royce Phantom IV were fitted with 8-cylinder versions.
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.
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.
| Model | Configuration | Displacement | Power output | Redline | Bore | Stroke | Produced (approx.) | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B40 | I4 | 2838 cc | 80 bhp | 3750 rpm | 3.5" | 4.5" | 20,000 | Austin Champ, 10 kW trailer-mounted Generators, Coles crane. |
| B60 | I6 | 4256 cc | 120 bhp | 3750 rpm | 3.5" | 4.5" | 14,500 | Daimler Ferret, Humber 1 Ton, Humber Pig, Humber Hornet |
| B61 | I6 | 4887 cc | 140 bhp | 3750 rpm | 3.75" | 4.5" | ||
| B80 | I8 | 5675 cc | 160 bhp | 3750 rpm | 3.5" | 4.5" | 4,700 | Alvis Saracen, Alvis Saladin, Centurion ARV Winch Motor, Douglas Aircraft Tug |
| B81 | I8 | 6516 cc | 185 bhp | 3750 rpm | 3.75" | 4.5" | 4,000 | Alvis Stalwart, FV430 Series (Mk 1), Alvis Salamander, [2] Schützenpanzer Lang HS.30 |
Leyland 6x6 Recovery vehicle and Leyland 6x6 Gun Tractor
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.
| Mark | Threads | Head | Block | Sump | Compression | Min. fuel requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mk 1 | B.S.F. | 80 RON | Prototype only | ||||
| Mk 2 | B.S.F. | Alloy | Iron | Wet | 6.4:1 | 80 RON | |
| Mk 3 | B.S.F. | Alloy | Iron | Dry | 6.4:1 | 80 RON | |
| Mk 4 | B.S.F. | Alloy | Alloy | Wet | 6.4:1 | 80 RON | Prototype only |
| Mk 5 | U.N.F. | Iron | Iron | Wet | 6.4:1 | 80 RON | |
| Mk 6 | U.N.F. | Iron | Iron | Dry | 6.4:1 | 80 RON | |
| Mk 7 | U.N.F. | Iron | Iron | Wet | 7.25:1 | 86 RON | |
| Mk 8 | U.N.F. | Iron | Iron | Dry | 7.25:1 | 86 RON |
The group of engineers at Rolls-Royce's Clan Foundry in Belper Derbyshire led by W. A. Robotham completed development of the Rolls-Royce Meteor 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. [3]
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.
In the 1950s, Vanwall raced a highly modified alloy block B40, combined with a cylinder head based on 4 heads from the Norton Manx, 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.
Due to the popularity of 1950s and 1960s British Military vehicles with collectors, many Rolls-Royce B range engines are still in use.
The Rolls-Royce Merlin is a British liquid-cooled V-12 piston aero engine of 27-litres capacity. Rolls-Royce designed the engine and first ran it in 1933 as a private venture. Initially known as the PV-12, it was later called Merlin following the company convention of naming its four-stroke piston aero engines after birds of prey.
The straight-eight engine or inline-eight engine is an eight-cylinder internal combustion engine with all eight cylinders mounted in a straight line along the crankcase. The type has been produced in side-valve, IOE, overhead-valve, sleeve-valve, and overhead-cam configurations.
Vanwall was a British 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 produced at the Vandervell Products factory at Acton, London. Originally entering modified Ferraris in non-championship races, Vanwall constructed their first cars to race in the 1954 Formula One season. The team achieved their first race win in the 1957 British Grand Prix, with Stirling Moss and Tony Brooks sharing a VW 5, earning the team the distinction of constructing the first British-built car to win a World Championship race. Vanwall won the inaugural Constructors' Championship in Formula One in 1958, in the process allowing Moss and Brooks to finish second and third in the Drivers' Championship standings, each winning three races for Vanwall. Vandervell's failing health meant 1958 would be the last full season; the squad ran cars in a handful of races in the following years, but finished racing in 1961.
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 between them in 1941 had suggested that a specialised de-rated version of the Merlin aero-engine would be highly suitable for use in armoured fighting vehicles.
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The Ferret armoured car, also commonly called the Ferret scout car, is a British armoured fighting vehicle designed and built for reconnaissance purposes. The Ferret was produced between 1952 and 1971 by the UK company Daimler. It was widely used by regiments in the British Army, as well as the RAF Regiment and Commonwealth countries throughout the period.
Crossley, based in Manchester, United Kingdom, was a pioneering company in the production of internal combustion engines. Since 1988, it has been part of the Rolls-Royce Power Engineering group.
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The Austin Champ was a military and civilian jeep-like vehicle made by the Austin Motor Company in the 1950s. The army version was officially known as "Truck, 1/4 ton, CT, 4×4, Cargo & FFW, Austin Mk.1" however the civilian name "Champ" was universally, if unofficially, applied to it. The majority of Champs produced went to the British Army.
The Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn is a full-size luxury car that was produced by Rolls-Royce at their Crewe works between 1949 and 1955. It was the first Rolls-Royce car to be offered with a factory built body which it shared, along with its chassis, with the Bentley Mark VI until 1952 and then the Bentley R Type until production finished in 1955. The car was first introduced as an export only model. The left hand drive manual transmission models had a column gear change, while right hand drives had a floor change by the door. In the British home market the Silver Dawn only became available from October 1953, with the introduction of the model corresponding to the Bentley R Type.
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The Rolls-Royce Crecy was a British experimental two-stroke, 90-degree, V12, liquid-cooled aero-engine of 1,593.4 cu.in capacity, featuring sleeve valves and direct petrol injection. Initially intended for a high-speed "sprint" interceptor fighter, the Crecy was later seen as an economical high-altitude long-range powerplant. Developed between 1941 and 1946, it was among the most advanced two-stroke aero-engines ever built. The engine never reached flight trials and the project was cancelled in December 1945, overtaken by the progress of jet engine development.
The Rolls-Royce Phantom IV is a British automobile produced by Rolls-Royce. Only eighteen were made between 1950 and 1956, sold only to buyers whom Rolls-Royce considered worthy of the distinction: the British royal family and heads of state. Sixteen are known to still exist in museums as well as in public and private collections.
Rolls-Royce Limited was a British luxury car and later an aero-engine manufacturing business established in 1904 in Manchester by the partnership of Charles Rolls and Henry Royce. Building on Royce's good reputation established with his cranes, they quickly developed a reputation for superior engineering by manufacturing the "best car in the world". The business was incorporated as "Rolls-Royce Limited" in 1906, and a new factory in Derby was opened in 1908. The First World War brought the company into manufacturing aero-engines. Joint development of jet engines began in 1940, and they entered production in 1944. Rolls-Royce has since built an enduring reputation for the development and manufacturing of engines for military and commercial aircraft.
The intake/inlet over exhaust, or "IOE" engine, known in the US as F-head, is a four-stroke internal combustion engine whose valvetrain comprises OHV inlet valves within the cylinder head and exhaust side-valves within the engine block.
The Rolls-Royce Meteorite, also known as the Rover Meteorite, was a post-war British 18.01 L (1,099 cu in) V8 petrol or diesel engine was derived from the Rolls-Royce Meteor tank engine.
The Rolls-RoyceC 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 headed by William Arthur Robotham to 1963, initially at Derby and later at Shrewsbury, from the 1950s through to 1970s.
The Centurion ARV Mk II, was a British armoured recovery vehicle based on the Centurion main battle tank.
The Leyland L60 was a British 19-litre (1,200 cu in) vertical six-cylinder opposed-piston two-stroke multi-fuel diesel engine designed by Leyland Motors in the late 1950s/early 1960s for the Chieftain main battle tank (MBT). The engine was also used in the Vickers MBT and its Indian-built derivative, the Vijayanta.
William Arthur Robotham 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 then of industrial petrol and diesel engines.
