Bedford VAL

Thanks Paul for that report, interesting as an old VAL Mechanic & driver

Howdy Blokes,

My best mate Stewart has been idly flicking through some online adverts and he's found a bit of rubbish we both like... if only the missus will find it in her heart to forgive me... lol.

I thought I'd ask the experts again, in case there's something good to know about a 1965 Bedford VAL. Seems this unit has a Leyland engine, 4 speed box and a split diff which is cable operated(!?)

Good points are that theres a full set of brand new tyres, new starter motor means it starts first pop & the engine doesn't seem to smoke badly. It already has SA rego as a motorhome, there's a fitout with bed, bath, toilet & kitchen.

I'm pretty sure I could drive it home... but I know there's likely to be hydraulic brake nightmares or somesuch in a vehicle so old. I'm sure the generator needs attention & it could use a lot of tidying up with paint & lights.

I'll see if I can throw up some pictures

(There is a much better version of this bus near me in Adelaide that has been updated & given many choice mechanical mods, including electric retarder in the tailshaft, mid mount UD turbo diesel, generator, air con, car access ramp in the rear... sadly its been stripped out & is languishing unfinished. The bloke wants lots of money for a non runner)

Isnt the non crossflow motor a 401? Good old motor,but injectors were specials.....The gearbox is a Turner,a copy of the US Clark.I think it should be a 5 sp.Diff is the bedford /chev 2 speed.....incidentally,these diffs had a cast iron ring gear for the planetary.....starter is a chinese geared motor....id rather have a CA 45.

invested energy wrote:

just up the road half a klik.

Classic and common tale ... plan the big trip for years, get the rig, gets hit with the big C and can't go on with it ...