Three Engines for Big Bedfords
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ALL Big Bedfords for both home and overseas markets are now available with the Leyland 0.350 six-cylindered 105 b.h.p. direct-injection oil engine. This increases the weight by 590 lb. compared with a petrol version. Higher gross vehicle weights are offered with new optional tyre equipment on the 7-ton shortand longwheelbase models.
Bedford 10-12-cwt. models now have a new four-cylindered o.h.v. deep-skirt engine and three-speed all-synchromesh gearbox similar to those fitted in the Victor car.
With the introduction of the 0.350 oil engine, there are now three power units available in Big Bedfords. The other two are the Bedford 300-cu.-in. sixcylindered petrol engine and the Perkins R.6 Mark II 340-cu.-in. sixcylindered oil engine.
In conjunction with the 0.350 engine, which employs a 24v. electrical system, a 13-in, clutch is fitted, together with a special gearbox having ratios of 6.5 4o 1, 2.86 to 1, 1.576 to 1, direct (top) and 6.5 to 1 (reverse). Prices (including purchase tax) of models with the Leyland engine are:
7-ton short-wheelbase chassis £1,637 /Os. Ild./ chassis and cab ELM 10s. Ild.; heavyduty tipper £1,948 101. lid. 7-ton long-wheelbase chassis £1,656 45. 6d.. chassis and cab £1,730 45. 6d.; lorry £1,837 4s. 6d.: Platform lorry, £1,827 45, 64. 10-ton tractor unit chassis and cab £1,623 I6s. 44. Coach or bus chassis £1,706 8s, 44.
Bedford 10-ton tractor units fitted with the 0.350 engine are available with 7.50-20-in. (10-ply) tyres, which enable the gross train weight to be increased from 14 tons 10 cwt. to 15 tons 7 cwt. The list price of this tyre option is £30, plus £6 8s. 7d. purchase tax.
Tyre Ratings Raised
Higher tyre ratings will now enable the gross vehicle weight of 7-tonners fitted with the new 8.25-20-in. (14-ply) tyres to be increased by approximately 9 cwt. to 10 tons 151 cwt. These tyres have been substituted for the 9.00-20-in. (10-ply) tyres which Vauxhall previously offered as optional equipment on their 7-ton shortand long-wheelbase models. List price of the 8_25-20-in. (14-ply) tyre alternative is £30, plus £6 8s. 7d. purchase tax, as compared with £21, plus £4 10s. purchase tax, for the 9.00-20-in. (10-ply) tyres.
The new power unit of the 10-12-cwt. van is of the same cubic capacity as the previous engine, but develops 10 per cent. more gross brake horse power and 5-10 per cent. more gross torque over almost the entire speed range.
Breathing has been improved by the use of individual inlet ports, in place of those of the siamesed type, and large inlet valves. Volumetric efficiency is said to be better, whilst the Zenith 34 V.N. carburetter has been developed for economy and easy starting.
n6 The skirt of the new engine extends well below the crankshaft centre line, and this results in much greater stiffness for the whole unit, including the clutch housing and gearbox, which are now of cast-iron.
Offset gudgeon pins are employed to . minimize any tendency of the engine to rattle when cold. Slab construction is used for the cylinder head, in place of the stepped design employed previously, and this has resulted in the holding. down bolts being all of equal length.
Bore is 3.125 in and stroke 3 in., giving a swept volume of 92 cu_ in. (L507 litres). Either a 6.8 to 1 or 7.8 to 1 compression ratio is available, and with the higher ratio, maximum b.h.p. is 54.8 at 4,200 r.p.m., the maximum torque being 84.5 lb.-ft. at 2,400 r.p.m. An AC oil-wetted air cleaner and a pressurized cooling system are used.
To improve acceleration, slightly lower gear ratios are employed in the new all-synchromesh gearbox, first gear being 3.538 to 1, second 1.653 to 1, top, direct, and reverse, 3.388 to 1. The use of cast iron instead of aluminium for the housing has resulted in greater rigidity and quieter running. As before, a steering-column gear lever is fitted.
The prices of the 12-cwt. van are unaltered. The chassis costS £331, plus £75 17s. purchase tax, and the van £425, plus £75 17s. purchase tax.