Has this VINTAGE BEDFORD TRUCK ENGINE Recently Been Restored & Should I Take it Apart to Find Out?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
- #52 - It is a big week here at Old Rope Salvage: A big week for dilemmas, that is, as Tim grapples with the mystery of our engine which gets wheeled out into the spotlight at last … Has it been worked on before? Does he need to take it apart? Or should he, as Lisa for one is secretly hoping, leave well alone and just get some paint on it? Some tricky decisions lie ahead, so tell us … what would you do in this situation? Lisa is still taking a break as Engines aren’t really her forte, so don’t forget to give Tim some encouragement whilst he’s on his own, and fingers crossed we’ll soon have this old Bedford fully restored and back on the road as the home on wheels we’ve all been dreaming of for so very, very long …
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This channel is the story of us, Tim & Lisa, and our attempt to build the World's Greatest HOUSE-on-WHEELS on the World's Smallest Budget ... A unique motorhome, if you like, part vintage 70s, part off road overlander, all tiny home on wheels.
We are 2 'old enough to know better' artists from Cornwall in the UK, and together we are building this off-grid home on wheels from the remains of a 1975 Bedford Firetruck.
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You can drop the sump and inspect the bottom end, which may give you an indication if a total rebuild has been carried out.
Will do 👍🏻 Thanks for your input 😎
I'm sure it's been said before but this channel deserves so many more subscribers.
Thank you 😎 If only the algorithm gods agreed and actually showed our videos to the wider world. We can’t be bothered with click bait and making 6 videos a day so we just plod on and hope our people will find us 😊 Thanks for the support. It really does mean a lot to hear that.
Give it a compression test and it will give you a good idea of the condition of the engine
Thanks, Danny. Check out the video after this one to see the compression test in action 😁
For LPG try Dave at Crane Garage Longdowns nr Penryn in Cornwall. Suggest you put in in the chassis and run it up before putting the cab on.
Regards Frank
Thanks, Frank. We have made a note of that for future reference 😎👍🏻
Hi Tim, I am not a mechanical person, so I would say with your gut feeling, good luck with what ever you do decide, best regards to you both from a Kiwi living in Australia
Thank you ☺ Much appreciated 😎
Compression test before you pull the head, and do the welsh plugs while the motor is out, allows you to thoroughly clean the water gallery
Thanks for your advice, Bernie 😎 Hope you are well ☺️
Great video again Tim. I'm glad to hear you're keeping the original engine. If you're that worried then stick an endoscope down the plug holes and check the big end and main bearing shells. To be honest I would imagine it's fairly low mileage and the Bedford engines were built to last.
Thanks for your input, John, much appreciated and helpful for Tim to hear that there seems to be a general consensus forming here 😎
Hi Tim and Lisa hope your both doing well. Hope the engine isn’t giving you any problems. Just out of curiosity when is your next video due out (roughly) 👍👍
Hi Alex, thanks for watching. Not sure yet, but hopefully by the end of next week 🤞🏻😎
I was going to suggest the same thing with the endoscope camera. I have a 1970 Opel Blitz with an Opel CIH 6 cylinder engine and was able to read the numbers on the piston and determine that my engine was barely used after the last rebuild. Although the rest of the truck has a lot more to repair than I expected.
I hope you guys figure it out. I love watching your videos, it gives me motivation to continue the restoration on my truck.
Haha! That is very cool re the numbers on the piston 😎 Glad to hear we are helping to keep you motivated. We have trouble staying motivated ourselves sometimes too (especially through the winter!) but it is hopefully worth it in the end, eh?
I think Tim knows what he should do, but just needs convincing from everyone that it isn’t cutting corners! 😂
Like everyone says, a good inspection (compression, bore scope etc) and if all looks good, go for it.
Then, if running costs become an issue in the future, the money saved on not rebuilding it can go towards a modern diesel conversion
Ashley, you are spot on! Thanks for your comment and support, as always 😎
Haha love the video, great edit, looks like a couple of coats of looking at and a splash of paint and start er up👍
Hope you enjoyed your little cameo too 😉😁
Great vid Tim! Gotta say I'm with Nick T. put it back together and run it. Can you do compression tests etc without disassembly. Maybe an internal inspection with a borescope/flexi camera on your phone to have a look but it was running decently when you got it -- looks good externally - no horrible leaks or damage to head - rockers etc all new and adjusted -- yeah my vote is to check as much as you can without additional disassembly - savings on time/money etc - worst case there is a problem down the line - which no amount of rebuilding can avoid anyway right? Best of luck mate!
Thanks, Chris 😎 I think Tim has ordered a compression tester this morning and will probably get the flexi camera thing as well. You know Tim, he likes to do things thoroughly, but he seems to leaning towards (mostly) leaving well alone, which honestly is like music to my ears! (I just want to get the cab back on!)
Check compression, tappet settings if in spec rebuild and start whilst out of truck. From its origins it will have been well looked after.
Compression test on order, endoscope on its way 👍🏻 Thanks for the input, greatly appreciated.
Defiantly a compression test ..👍
Yes indeed! 😎
If you've got the bottom gasket, I would take the sump off and have a good look from underneath. That would give you a good indication of how much work has been done to it. Bottom end, bores etc.😊
Cheers, guys 😎 Hope you’re both doing great xx
@@OldRopeSalvage were good! It takes loads of time and effort to build your dream home, on wheels or on the ground. But we're not losing hope!
Don’t lose hope! It does indeed take time, and a lot of patience and grit. There are tough times but that is also what makes it so satisfying when you succeed. Also, it will soon be summer 🌞
RE: your engine dilemma. Are you able to contact the Fire Dept who once owned the truck? Are you able to pry-bar the engine over? The camera down the spark plug holes is a smart idea. Other than that, I wish you luck. (From Canada)
do you not have contact to ask the previous owner re what work engine was done?
We tracked down one of the previous owners which Tim talks about on the video after this one 😎
Once you start an engine strip down it becomes complicated as to where to end the rebuild?
Yes, indeed it does!
For fks sake turn it upside down and take off all the bearing shells and inspect also take out all core plugs and have a peek inside. Do not focus on outside looks.
Haha! Thanks for your input. Tim is inclined to agree so we’ll see how deep he decides to go in the next few weeks, I’m sure 😎
Looks like you have a Publc service vehicle engine, similar to MOD exchange engine (Turquoise colour, refurb, factory build) .... I would have just washed it down, run it in the frame you used to store it (No more than 15-20mins, without coolant of course, at most) ... Check the valve clearances (Engine running at tick over) ... Oil pressure check and for leaks (Bedford always have, especially main bearing end cap seals, they had felt type mostly, (installed soaked with engine oil, to lubricate and ensure the felt was soaked/swollen and provided the seal against the block) ... Another thing i would have done is check the timing ... after that, install it into the chassis and it's in the hands of the "Bedford Gods" something you will begin to understand as you drive and use the vehicle over time, but you have a large understanding now, due to your "Approach" ... good luck U2 ... when it's on the road it lives with you, like a baby wanting attention.
Thank you. This is helpful advice, much appreciated 😎👍🏻
Tim compression test the engine, take the sump off and check the bottom end, how many miles on the Speedo?? How did it run when it came off the transporter run it up on the stand it is sitting on,
Yes, it did indeed run when it came to us. 10k miles on the clock, 3.5k run hours 🤷♂️ Thanks for your suggestions and for watching, much appreciated 😎
I would borescope the cylinders and then put it together and run it , that is unless youve got an endless amount of money and can just keep stripping it all down, I think it will be a good engine that, just my opinion, enjoyed the vids, Ive binge watched them all
Thanks, Stephen, for the advice and for watching our vids. Both are much appreciated 😎🚚👍🏻
It's obvious what you want to do - get into it and strip it
What you should do is re-assemble it and start it and then listen to it
Is there any old oil in the sump? If so see if it has any metal shavings in it. If not then run it
But that's not what you want to do
Tim’s instinct is always to do the most meticulous, thorough job on anything, including this engine. But for once I think he has been persuaded that what is required here is a lighter touch. More in the next video soon, I’m sure 😎
First time seeing youse, your video title was asking what to do and thought about making a comment but ended up watching, have youse tried turning it over can be done from front ov crankshaft if quite freely is a good sign, what were spark plugs like colour wise, looking with camera down plug hole's like your mate said will be very useful you don't want to see rust, did you drain the oil as that tells stories, could have done all this befor this videos works and if seemingly good tried starting it whatever you do don't put it in truck without taking the bell housing off and checking the clutch
Hi John, thanks for your advice and input, much appreciated. It is helpful to us to build a picture from everyone’s thoughts and comments so thanks for adding to that and for watching 😎🚚
@@OldRopeSalvage wishing youse luck but I don't think you will need it
@@johngibson3837 Thank you 😊
no it's got a petrol motor cus It's 4 wheel drive in the day petrol was better all round but today can get a cummein motor call ML14 about the size of a car motor but more power then a truck
Thanks for watching 😎🚚
convert to diesel.
Give us a diesel and we’ll convert it 😁 Not possible for us at the moment, but comment duly noted 😎
Compression test it, clean up the ancillaries and put it back together, looks too good to strip down …
Thanks for your input, Mark of The Shire 😎 Much appreciated.
Engine may be OK but you will need to tow a fuel tanker behind you.
😂😂😂
America would be the place for advice on a 5 litre engine or find an old forklift mechanic tbh I'd love to get my landy running off propane bottles
Served my time on Bedfords back in the late 60`s pulled a few of them apart
I'd run a compression test on it and if that was good I'd run it as it is ...best indication of condition probably test valve clearances too show how well the engine was maintained
Thanks, Stuart, Tim has ordered a compression test as loads of folks here recommending he do that. Thanks for commenting 😎
@@OldRopeSalvage no worries tbh it look's a good motor if access to it is good I'd have just fitted it and ran it the rocker cover sealant is a bit of a worry but I suppose if the couldn't find a new cork one and needed to get going it was good enough
No disrespect watch "Diesel Creek" fellow You Tuber and tinkerer and able to bring back engines from "beyond repair". The compression tests, Bora scope and check fluids is a good start.
We’ll check them out. Thanks for watching and commenting 😎
If it's ex airport it's likely to be in great condition. If you can live with the dire mpg, just throw it in. Otherwise I'd repower with a Cummins 6bt or a 330turbo out of another Bedford.
Thank you for your advice 😁 Yes, we can put up with it for now, just have to ‘travel’ 1 mile a day, life in the ‘very’ slow lane, hehe 😉
Tim, check state of big end and main bearings, new water pump, crank it over and check compression, if no issues, reinstall and send it 😎
Thanks for the advice and for watching, much appreciated 👍🏻😎
Tim I would not have pulled the top off the engine, stop think about what it was used for at the airport, guaranteed it’s had everything maintenance wise thrown at it already, save time and just put paint on the engine and then enjoy it 😃😃
It is good for Tim to hear that there seems to be a fairly general agreement from everyone about what should be done. Thanks for the input 😎🤟🏻
I personally wouldve fitted the 330 Diesel.
Budget constraints! Maybe one day.
Good video get a endoscope to have a look in the pistons and I did a gas conversion on a V8 Range Rover carburettor really easy to do thanks Danny
Thanks, Danny 😎
Id check a couple main bearings and conrod bearings as you have the lower gaskets you've pulled most of it apart no harm in checking the rest of it to see for and issues etc
Cheers for the input 👍🏻 Much appreciated 😎
Tim, even if you do go to gas on the petrol motor, you should consider finding a Turner 5 speed gearbox for the build
Absolutely, yes, hope to do just that 😎
do a compression test and then you will know more
Will do! Thanks for commenting and for watching 😎
Can I ask if you can turbo the engine
You can ask … and maybe you can indeed turbo charge it. Not something that we’ll be doing though. Cheers for watching 😎
Borescope and compression test to start with
That seems to be the consensus so that is exactly what we’re going to do 👍🏻
Throw it away and put a 330D into it………😁
Tim says if you have a diesel going spare, drop it round to the workshop and we’ll slide ‘er in! 😆
looks like a recon engine not the original
Put the diesel in
Have you got one? 😆
I've got a five naggin bottle somewhere but I'm not sure if that would help! You seem to be doing fine on the coffee so I would just push on.
Throw it away and fit a leyland diesel , was an option on tk s
If we had one (or the spare cash!) we probably would, but not an option for us in the short term, unfortunately 😎
@thomascatford2627 do you mean a Perkins ?
@@pegknife no a leyland 375 power plus series around 1963 had a 5 speed gearbox maybe a turner or env worked on them many moons ago
TIM I would suggest to having a look inside the cylinders mate if there's no scoring or anything like that and like you said it looks like someone has worked on the engine so personally I would just give it a lick of paint and do a service on it and run it. Keep up the great work from us down the road
Thank you, as always 😎 And for the ongoing encouragement. Means a lot 😊
Tim, Tim, Tim, Tim - STOP, STOP, STOP, STOP !!! You are way, way over thinking this. This vehicle, because it was at an absolute airport necessity, it will have done very, very little mileage and would have HAD TO been put through regular maintenance - without exception - because it was part of the airport requirement - by law ! That engine, at a glance, is screaming out "I run like new." The only other thing I would check personally now, is to take off the bell housing and inspect the clutch - and that's it... trust me - I'm a gynecologist (not). Keep on trucking people ! 🚒😎👉👍
Haaaaaahaaaaaa 😂 I just love this comment! It’s like you just know him so well! You’ll be happy to hear that he is leaning towards doing the minimum, but he suffers from indecision and just wants to do the best he can while he can. Hopefully, once he reads everyone else’s input, he’ll put some paint on it and walk away. Watch This Space! 😎🚚🤟🏻
@@OldRopeSalvage I'm hoping this year to maybe come down and see you both and have a good old rant... We'll see... I'll keep you posted truckers 😀
As others have said this engine is unlikely to have much wear.
The question you need to ask is how much or little MPG can you live with?
Going to be single figure MPG I think....
LPG is dying out in the UK!
Also LPG runs hotter then petrol and I doubt your valve seats are hardened so you would also need upper cylinder lube additives....
If a modern turbo diesel pre euro fitted it easily that's the way I would look to go, a cummins 6 cylinder from a newer Leyland maybe?
That would be grand 👍🏻
That would be grand, Martin 😎
Tim, just in case you want to get a head gasket as a spare part, be very wary as the 300 petrol engine had three types of gasket over the years, and yours is definitely not like a Green Goddess. Yours will be one from the circa 1970's. It looks like it has had a twin carb conversion by HCB Angus who built fire trucks, you may want to go back to a single carb, for more economy, but that would mean finding an inlet and exhaust manifold to suit. I rebuilt loads of these engines in army workshops, mainly for the RL and a few other types.
That is great information and good to know. Tim says he’s glad he hasn’t taken the head off (yet, watch this space!) Thanks loads for your input, much appreciated 😎🚚
Had a single axle Bedford in the 80`s give it a compression test check the clutch while the engine is out and give it a go. mine came from a yard, been sitting for years cleaned it up and used it to move 2000klm across Australia never missed a beat and worked on the farm for years after that. Good luck from OZ
Greetings, Australia 🇦🇺 Thanks, that is really good to know. Fingers crossed ours turns out as good and reliable as yours did 😎🚚
Back in the late 70s I was in the army and drove a lot of Bedfords with these engines.
They are pretty rugged and will still run reliably even though the were completely worn out.
On one occasion I went on 7 day manoeuvres driving a RL. The engine was so worn out that the plugs would be oil up and and it would start dropping cylinders.
No problem since the engine was accessible from inside.
I disconnected the air cleaner and when it began to lose power, I would pour water into the the carb while running at full throttle - gave it an internal steam clean.
Then it would run fine for an hour or so.
So in my opinion it, leave it alone - try it as is and see how it goes.
Haha! 😂 That is a great story. Some good old school army maintenance 😅 Thanks for watching and sharing your experiences 😎🚚
thanks for the great content, if it was me i’d just leave it alone and install it after a clean up. You can always revisit if it’s burning a bit of oil or whatever. Too many folks worry about the slightest score in the bores etc. If she runs she runs. I assume you’re not going to be doing 20k miles a year in her so stick with the petrol and originality. Thank you both for putting the content out it’s very high quality and takes a a lot of effort in addition to your day job so much appreciated, bless you both
Thank you so much for your lovely comment, it means a lot to both of us to hear that 😊 And thanks also for your input on the engine. Advice noted 👍🏻
Hi Tim and Lisa hope your both doing ok, truck is looking really good. Looking forward to seeing your next video 👍👍
Thanks, Alex 😎
One easy check you can do on the health of the engine is to send a sample of the engine oil for analysis. The results will tell you the condition of the internal components without stripping it apart. Many people do this who have the same dilemma that you have at the moment. Gasket wise you will need new gaskets for the rocker cover and the inlet/exhaust manifold etc so you might as well get a top end gasket set which will include a head gasket. You should while it's apart remove the bell housing and check the clutch plate, release bearing, rear main oil seal and the starter ring gear. I would also replace all the core plugs as although they might look good from the outside they rust from the inside and on an old engine they could be quite thin.
All good advice, thanks for taking the time to comment, much appreciated 👌🏻😎🚚
Engines of that era especially Diesels were very over engineered - if you start to dismantle the head you will invariably end up spending thousands. Personally i would set it up on to crank the engine to check oil pressure on a cold engine and a compression test - that will be a challenge
Thanks for the advice, much appreciated and noted 👍🏻
just bag it back and put it in it might help to do a rap on the manafold exsort and don't look back
Cool, thank you. We have a plan for the manifold so watch this space! 👍🏻
I would put it back in do the water pump service it run it
Thanks, Chris 😎🚚👍🏻
Hi Tim the engine was working when it was delivered to you. So why try fix something that not broken
Great video keep with work
Thanks for the input, Andy, much appreciated 😎🚚
Put it on an engine stand, invert it and take the sump off. That way you can inspect the big end and main journals, get a good idea of bore condition. Use plasguage on the journals and you get accurate readings of any wear and if it's ground to an undersize.
We don’t have an engine stand unfortunately, but will do all we can do to carry out these suggestions 👍🏻 Many thanks for watching and commenting 😎
I have worked on a few of these and as a petrol engine of its time not a bad engine,,strong and reliable..
Thank you ☺️ Good to know 👍🏻