Perkins Six 354 Conversion for Bedford TKs
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PRODUCTION is to commence shortly of Perkins Six 354 conversion units for installation in Bedford TK chassis. The Perkins kits will sell for £371 I7s. 6d., equipped with exhauster, or £391 5s. fitted with air compressor. The first prototype units were fitted by Murkett Bros., Ltd.,
Barkers L a n e, Bedford, in con junction with Vauxhall Motors, Ltd., and full fitting instructions are obtainable from Perkins Engines, Ltd., Peter borough, giving details of the modifications required to fit the unit.
The Six 354 is well suited as a conversion unit for TKs initially powered by the Bedford 300-cu.-in. diesel engine in that the maximum governed speeds and the speeds at which maximum torque is developed are virtually identical.
There is a significant difference in b.h.p. and torque outputs, however. Whereas the Bedford unit has gross and net power ratings of 97 b.h.p. and 89 b.h.p. respectively, with a peak torque of 217 lb.-ft. at 1,400 r.p.m., the gross and net figures for the Six 354 are 112 b.h.p. and 105 b.h.p. (at 2,800 r.p.m. in the case of both engines), whilst the maximum torque output is 260 lb.-ft. at 1,450 r.p.m.
Compared with the Leyland 0.350 diesel, which is an alternative factoryfitted unit in some Bedford TIC models, the Six 354's governed speed is 400 r.p.m. higher, and both b.h.p. and torque outputs are greater.
The Perkins Six 354 was introduced last September, and is Perkins' first automotive engine to have been designed from the start as a direct-injection unit. It has a cubic capacity of 5.8 litres (354 Cu. in.) with bore and stroke dimensions of 98.4 mm. and 127 mm., and its compression ratio is 16 to 1. The Bedford 300 diesel has a capacity of 4.93 litres.
LABOUR AND Re-N From our Political Correspondent ABOUR demands for a planned national transport system are expected to be strengthened by last week's announcement that the British Transport Commission will need an extra £27m. from the Treasury this year. This further advance—which will bring B.T.C. grants during 1961-62 to 1130m. —is required mainly because the railway economy measures are not having a quick enough i result.
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