Description

Rolls-royce Silver Cloud, Silver Cloud II, Phantom V, S, S2 Workshop Manual

If you’re turning wrenches on a Rolls‑Royce or Bentley from the late 50s or early 60s, you already know the stakes. These cars cost more than most houses did when new, and one wrong torque value on a head bolt or a misrouted wire can turn a restoration into a parts‑hunt nightmare. I’ve seen guys trust aftermarket specs and end up with a leaking rear main seal that took three weekends to fix. That’s why this original Rolls-royce Silver Cloud, Silver Cloud II, Phantom V, S, S2 Workshop Manual belongs on your bench. It’s not a reprint, not a scan of a scan – it’s the factory publication from Rolls‑Royce Limited, Crewe, England. And at 29 pages, it’s lean but dense. Every page is packed with the kind of detail that keeps your knuckles unbloodied.

What’s Inside the Workshop Manual

Page 1 lays out the full table of contents: General Information, Special Processes, Air Conditioning, Lubrication and Maintenance, Engine, Propeller Shaft and Universal Joints, Brakes, Suspension, Shock Dampers, Pivot Pins and Stub Axles, Rear Axle, Fuel System and Carburetters, Engine Cooling System, Electrical, Ignition and Radio, Steering, Chassis Frame, Exhaust System, Wheels and Tyres, Body. That’s seventeen chapters covering the entire car, plus supplements for the Series III and 3 models. The preface (page 2) tells you this manual is intended for service personnel responsible for maintenance and overhaul – the same people who built and serviced these cars at the factory. It also lists the exact models covered: Rolls‑Royce Silver Cloud, Silver Cloud II, Phantom V (long wheelbase and standard), and Bentley S, S2, Continental S, Continental S2. No guesswork about fitment.

Engine and Cooling: The Heart of the Silver Cloud

That Engine section isn’t just a removal/installation guide. It covers overhaul procedures with factory clearances and torque values. The S2 six‑cylinder and the later V8 in the Silver Cloud II require specific sequences to avoid warping the block. I’ve seen aftermarket manuals skip the step about tightening in three stages – this one doesn’t. The Cooling System chapter gives you the correct thermostat rating and coolant capacity. Don’t trust a generic chart; these cars use a pressurized system that’s easy to overheat if you get the fan belt tension wrong. The manual calls out the right specs. You’ll also find notes on the separate 52 Engine Manual (publication TSD 753) for deeper engine work, but this Workshop Manual gives you everything needed for chassis‑related engine R&R.

Suspension and Steering: Don’t Guess on These Specs

The Suspension chapter covers shock dampers, pivot pins, and stub axles – parts that carry the weight of a two‑ton car. Getting the kingpin inclination or steering geometry off by a tenth of a degree will scrub tires in 500 miles. I’ve seen a home guy install aftermarket poly bushings without checking the torque on the lower fulcrum pin, and the whole front suspension clunked until he pulled it apart again. The manual gives you the factory assembly torque for every pivot pin and the correct lubrication intervals for the upper and lower ball joints. Same for the Steering section: worm and roller gear adjustment specs that you won’t find in any Chilton or Haynes. Page 2 already listed the models; the suspension data matches chassis numbers, so you know it’s right for your car.

Fuel System and Electrical: Where Most DIYers Get Burned

Fuel System and Carburetters covers the S.U. and Stromberg setups used on these cars. There’s a specific procedure for balancing twin carburetors and setting the float levels – one wrong turn on the mixture screw and you’ll be chasing a rough idle for a month. The Electrical section includes ignition timing, distributor advance curves, and radio installation notes. The wiring diagrams are original factory drawings, not redrawn by some third‑party artist who leaves out a ground connection. If you’re troubleshooting a no‑start on a Phantom V, you need the actual wire colors and termination points. Aftermarket manuals love to say “connect wire to coil” – they never tell you which terminal. This one does.

Who Should Use This Rolls‑Royce Workshop Manual?

This 29‑page manual is for anyone who owns a Silver Cloud, Silver Cloud II, Phantom V, S, or S2 and wants to do their own maintenance. It’s also for professional shops that take on these cars and need to verify specs fast. Beginners: don’t expect hand‑holding. This is a factory workshop manual, not a picture book. You need basic mechanical knowledge and a torque wrench. But if you can read a micrometer and follow a procedure, you’ll get the job done right. The manual assumes you have the special tools listed in publication TSD 723 (Workshop Tools), but for most jobs standard socket sets and a beam‑type torque wrench will work. Just don’t skip the safety warnings – when you’re working on air conditioning or hydraulic brake systems, the manual points out the hazards.

Source Validity: Why OEM Beats Aftermarket

I’ve been burned by aftermarket manuals that claim “covers all models” but mix up torque specs between the Silver Cloud I and II. That’s how head gaskets blow. This manual was printed by Rolls‑Royce Limited’s Technical Publications Department in Crewe. It’s the same document used by the factory service network. Every revision is tracked via Service Bulletins, which are referenced in the preface. The fact that it’s only 29 pages means it’s focused – no filler, no ads. If you need parts identification, you’ll want the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud S Continental Parts Catalog 354 pages OEM for exploded diagrams. And for the later Shadow cars, check the Rolls-royce Silver Shadow Corniche T Series 1965 Workshop Manual. If you’re working on the electric drivetrain of the 2011 prototype, there’s the Rolls-Royce 102EX 2011 Technical Manual – Factory Specs & EV Diagnostics. But for these classic steel‑bodied cars, this Workshop Manual is the foundation.

FAQ

Does this manual cover the Bentley S2 Continental?

Yes. The cover lists Bentley S2 and Continental S2, along with the S, Continental S, and the Silver Cloud series.

How many pages is this manual?

29 pages, including the table of contents, preface, and all 17 chapters plus supplements.

What torque specs are included?

The manual contains factory torque values for engine head bolts, main bearing caps, suspension pivot pins, brake calipers, and rear axle components. For example, the Engine chapter gives the tightening sequence and final torque for the cylinder head. Exact figures are listed in each section – you’ll need to reference the relevant page for your job. Page 2 states the manual covers both standard and long wheelbase models, so the specs match your chassis number. If you’re doing a full rebuild, you’ll also want the separate Engine Manual (TSD 753) for the V8, but the basic assembly data is here.

Is this manual suitable for a complete engine rebuild?

It covers engine removal, disassembly, and assembly, but note that for the Silver Cloud II and S2 V8 engines, the factory recommends the dedicated 52 Engine Manual (TSD 753) for internal tolerances. This Workshop Manual gives you the chassis‑side procedures and general engine specs, but you’ll need that supplementary volume for piston ring gaps and valve adjustments. Still, owning this is better than relying on a generic manual – it’s the only source for correct torque patterns that prevent warping the aluminum block.

If you’re serious about keeping a Rolls‑Royce or Bentley on the road without factory dealership prices, get the right documentation. This original 29‑page Workshop Manual is your map. Every torque value, every wiring color, every adjustment spec is verified by the men who built the cars. Don’t trust a scanned copy or a third‑party CD that might have missing pages. Access the Factory Manual from AutoRepairManuals and put it on your tablet or print it for the bench. Your rolling masterpiece will thank you. For broader automotive repair knowledge, you might also check out the Automotive Industry Overview – while not Rolls‑specific, it shows how manufacturers structure their documentation. And for general context, Automotive Industry Overview is another resource. But for this job, nothing beats the factory original.