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Bedford VAL

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11 years 3 months ago #100076 by invested energy
Bedford VAL was created by invested energy
G'day blokes,

I'm considering another project, because I need another hole in the head right now;)

Has anyone had much to do with the "chinese six" Bedford VAL bus chassis? Are there things to look out for, or steer clear of with both front axles?

I have a hankering for an "italian job" motorhome that will carry an old car in the back but I was wondering what sort of load it might carry. I understand they used 16" wheels on these things in order to get a flat floor, which is pretty handy. I expect the twin steer enables a full sized coach on undersized wheels so to speak, as well as a better turning circle(?)

So what else do I need to know? I believe the job I'm looking at has 20" rear wheels for some extra legs, so can a better ratio be found to refit the 16s? Is a 400 Bedford Diesel much use? Do I just dice that in favour of a 1BDT Isuzu/6 speed package?

Maybe I'll just buy this...

www.my105.com/ListingDetails/tabid/65/p/...id/8768/Default.aspx

I'm all ears... cheers

A ;)

for when I'm not driving the car of the century...

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11 years 3 months ago #100077 by mammoth
Replied by mammoth on topic Re: Bedford VAL
The VAL is a 1961 design and for it's time had very good ride quality. Original fitting was the Leyland 400 at 125hp. The weak point was the small brake drums which wore rapidly and required frequent attention. Some were converted for such roles as caravan transporter, furniture van. They didn't sell in the numbers hoped by Bedford.

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11 years 3 months ago #100078 by v8 inter nut
Replied by v8 inter nut on topic Re: Bedford VAL
I know the owner of that bus and he is a perfectionist and a top bloke give Him a ring if you are interested.

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11 years 3 months ago #100079 by invested energy
Replied by invested energy on topic Re: Bedford VAL
Thanks Mammoth,

I wondered about the stopping power available however I figured the extra front axle helped. I didn't think much about ride quality, good point.

I reckon this set is basically bus porn...

www.flickr.com/photos/guru_1071/23829453...t-72157603973265452/

whaddya think?

cheers

A

for when I'm not driving the car of the century...

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11 years 3 months ago - 11 years 3 months ago #100080 by Jumbo
Replied by Jumbo on topic Re: Bedford VAL
We had 8 VAL's coaches in our fleet -
3 x Val 14 Leyland 400 & 5 x Val 70's / 2 with Bedford 466 and 1 x 500 and 2 with english imported Bedford 8.2 - 500 engines.

Good ride, good steering lock,
Steering idler arms do come lose on the chassis and many 2nd steer flat tyres (Long mud flap between axles does help)

Brakes !!!!!!! well !!!!!!
If traffic lights are green start stopping and when red light start acclerating
Adjusting brakes Leading & trailing shoes - use short heavy screw driver /or blunt chisel & hammer /

**PLEASE NOTE** I will need to check as to which is first with mate if any different will let you know

unbolt adjuster 2 X bolts ,
Rear brakes = tap bottom adjuster wheel till tight then top adjuster wheel till tight / next put foot hard on brake pedal / back off top adjuster wheel till tyres spins free and put adjuster back

Front wheels the same way ***except adjusting wheels are opposite bottom first.

Val hubs are 6 stud.
Rims the same as a little 3 ton Ford "D" series

20" wheels all axles? if it is, probally an ex Palmers coach Gosford with 8 stud Vam hubs and which only the back axle is adjusted as above

Somebody used BLP hubs are full air and are 8 stud but have a dip dish rim. (Can't rember who did it - Seniors moments)

If centre engine & 6 speed Albion G/box? Ex Bass Hill Coaches Sydney

The photo link is an ex Jones Bros Lithgow

Can you post a photo of her?

Regards
Mark



RFW # 116 - 4x2
Last edit: 11 years 3 months ago by Jumbo.

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11 years 3 months ago #100081 by invested energy
Replied by invested energy on topic Re: Bedford VAL
Bloody awesome advice Mark,

Thank you.

Some first hand experience like that is pretty priceless for those coming to it without any. I figured the brakes were hydraulic... do you know what sort of master or booster they used?

We have a '68 Bedford truck on the farm with 50 000 original miles... petrol of course with a remote mounted master/vac unit. The brakes seem to want a regular ten year birthday which also involves a master cylinder overhaul, so the brake place does all of that.

To be honest I havn't actually bought the bus in question but I'm working on the idea, and the owner, who has a firm but not unreasonable price in mind. I'm waiting on some more details as to what's been done to it mechanically... I think he said it has a 400 Diesel which is running fine. Dont know what trans it uses & I'm wondering what might be done to gear it up aside from perhaps just adding a mid mount joey box like I did my old inter.

I didn't realise you could get them as a mid mount engine... that'd be excellent for keeping the noise down when you're driving:)

It's currently an unfinished motorhome project, that was modified even before the current owner got it, so I have no idea of who's livery it might have been delivered in. The body needs a coat of jam, but appears ok otherwise. Roof has already been lifted(?) but I'll have to completely refit it to get what I want.

I've been emailed some pictures but it'll take an age to post them here, might work on that later. Did you have a link for some pics?

I found these...

www.busaustralia.com/forum/viewtopic.php...=bedford+val#p503530

Cheers for your help.

A

for when I'm not driving the car of the century...

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11 years 3 months ago #100082 by bigcam
Replied by bigcam on topic Re: Bedford VAL
There was what was left of one out at Prices, not sure if it is still there.



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11 years 3 months ago #100083 by Jumbo
Replied by Jumbo on topic Re: Bedford VAL
Brakes were air over hydralic remote booster inside chassis rail r/h side.
They also had 2 hand brakes = front wheels - long handle behind / next the gear stick and the back h/brake on the steering colum witch worked on the tailshaft.

Turner g/boxes
val 14 = 5 speed overdrive with air 2 speed diff -
Val 70 5 speed direct with electric 2 speed diff. both with a wide gap between 3 & 4 gear
Use the 2 speed sparingly as the break teeth in the diff or the electric motor, monkey gear jams as the wear.

The Bass Hill Coaches was an import from England - 2nd hand after a fire and Prior & Costello the Bass Hill owners, built it up as a centre engine with the 6 speed box and locked the diff in high range before the body was built.

Thanks Cam for the chassis photos witch by the look of the front cross menber was a Customs body.

Glad to be of help. Email us some photos if possible

Regards
Mark

RFW # 116 - 4x2

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11 years 3 months ago #100084 by Jumbo
Replied by Jumbo on topic Re: Bedford VAL
Invester energy,

Talk to mate today about brakes.

Brake adjustment is opposite to my post.

VAL Rear axle:
adjust Top wheel first (primary shoe) Clockwise direction the same to the bottom shoe. stamp foot on brake then back off botton wheel 5 flats then the top wheel 5 flats

Front axle is oppisite

VAM rear axle is Bottom first then as above

Regards
Mark


RFW # 116 - 4x2

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11 years 3 months ago #100085 by Mrsmackpaul
Replied by Mrsmackpaul on topic Re: Bedford VAL

its a bit out of order sorry but thought it might be of intrest regards Paul

Your better to die trying than live on your knees begging

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