Info
Bedford CA
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Manufacturer | Bedford Vehicles |
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Production | 1952–1969 |
Assembly | Luton, United Kingdom |
Successor | Bedford CF |
Class | Light commercial vehicle |
Body style | Van |
Layout | Longitudinal front engine, rear-wheel drive |
Engine | 1.5 L I4 OHV, 1.6 L I4 OHV |
Transmission | 3-speed manual, 4-speed manual |
Wheelbase | SWB: 90 in (2,286 mm) LWB: 102 in (2,591 mm) |
Length | SWB: 154 in (3,912 mm) LWB: 166 in (4,216 mm) |
Width | 70.0 in (1,778 mm) |
Height | 74.75 in (1,899 mm) |
Kerb weight | SWB: 2,245 lb (1,018 kg) LWB: 2,345 lb (1,064 kg) |
Related | Bedford Dormobile |
The Bedford CA was a Light commercial vehicle produced between 1952 and 1969 by Bedford in Luton, England. part of Vauxhall.
History
There were long and short wheelbase versions.Both versions there were models with 10 to 12 cwt (500-600 kg) payload or 15 cwt ( 750 kg) payload .Generally it was supplied as a light delivery van with sliding doors, but it was also available as a chassis with cowl upon which specialist bodywork could be added.The Bedford Dormobile was a Campervan conversion based on the Bedford CA van.
In those days, the Bedford CA was a common site found all over Britain.A total of about 370,000 were built.The appearance of the CA changed only slightly in the 17-year construction period
Body
The overall profile and architecture of the CA changed little during the vehicle's seventeen-year life.There were three different versions.The first CA had a split windshield, consisting of two flat panes with a vertical center bar.When curved glass became affordable in Britain in 1958, the split windscreen was replaced with a slightly curved one.At the same time, the original two-piece painted grille was replaced with a smaller grille that was also painted in body colour.The third version of the CA, delivered from late 1964, had a lower deeper windscreen, reducing the height of the sheet metal strip under the windshield.From 1964 there was also a radiator grille made of pressed aluminum for the first time.
The CA had a very short hood, which gave it an eye-catching look.This layout meant the driver and passenger have their legs either side of the engineAnd much of the vehicle's length could be used for payload.A small flap in the front of the vehicle or the inner cover for maintenance work on the engine
For major repair work, the entire front of the vehicle had to be removed with headlights, radiator grille and front cross member.
Powertrain
The CA had a 1508cc four-cylinder in-line engine with pushrod-operated overhead valves and three crankshaft bearings.The fuel mixture was a Zenith type 34VN downdraft carb.There was a low 6.8:1 compression engine version and a high compression 7.8:1 engine version
The Engine and three-speed gearbox were also installed in the Vauxhall Victor F Series.The FC series four-speed transmission could easily be fitted to any Bedford CA with a three-speed transmission.later this was available as an optional extra. Later models also had the larger post-1964 FB-series engine of 1594 cc.A 1622 cc Perkins diesel engine was also available, as was the Perkins 1760 cc diesel engine.
The front wheels were on double wishbones with coil springs mounted on a cross member.
The rigid rear axle was suspended on semi-elliptical leaf springs, 57 mm wide, attached to the chassis and rear axle.The 10 to 12 cwt versions had seven spring leaves, the 15 cwt version eight. Each of the spring leaves was 6.35mm thick.The gear shifter was mounted on the steering column, the switches for the direction indicators on the dashboard.The high beam switch was operated with the foot. The starter was operated with a lever under the handbrakeThe only gauge fittings available were a speedometer, a fuel gauge and a cooling water thermometer.
The cooling water temperature was mechanically measured by a capillary tube connected to a liquid capsule Later models had an electric version.
The Duplex drum brakes, with cast iron brake drums on each wheel, were equipped with inner shoes covered with linings containing asbestos .
Duplex brakes were installed at the front , so each brake shoe was actuated by its own simple hydraulic cylinder.The braking system with a hydraulic circuit was supplied by Lockheed .The steering was a Burman recirculating ball type.
A Bedford CA Mk3 in Heartbeat, TV Series
Technical
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Bedford CA Technical details and specifications (1952-1969)
Late 1960s
BODY & DIMENSIONS
Type of construction -Separate body and cruciform chassis
Material of body panels -Steel
Length overall -S.W.B., 12ft. 10in.L.W.B., 13ft. 10in.
Width overall -69.9in.
Ground clearance -73.9in.(standard)
Track - Front, 53.3in.; rear, 54.5in.
Wheelbase -L.W.B., 8ft.6in.; S.W.B., 7ft.6in.
ENGINE 1600cc PetrolType -4-stroke; overhead valves;
Cooling system - Water pump, radiator, fan
Number of cylinders - 4 (bored direct in block)
Firing order & idling speed -1-3-4-2 (#1 at front)
Bore -3.214in. (81.64mm)
Stroke -3.OOOin. (76•20mm)
Cubic capacity -1,595cc. (97.4cu.in)
Compression ratio & pressure -7.0:1 (8.5:1 optional)
Brake horse-power (net) -51.3 @ 4,200 r.p.m.
Torque (net) lb.ft - 81.01b.ft @ 2,200 r.p.m.-
Piston rings—number -2 compression, 1 oil -
Oil pressure (lb./sq.in.) -25 to 35 1b/sq.in.
Big-end bearings - Steel-backed lead-bronze
Main bearings (No.) (type) 3, white-metal on mild steel
Camshaft bearings -3, white-metal on mild steel
Valve lift -0.335in.
Valve timing -Inlet opens 36.6° B.T.D.C.;closes 69-1°A.B.D.C.
Exhaust timing - Exhaust opens 78.6° B.B.D.C.;closes 27-1° A.T.D.C.
Petrol pump - A.C.-Delco mechanical, No. 7950319
Carburettor - Zenith 34IVTRANSMISSION
Type -Rear wheel drive
Clutch -Borg & Beck, 8in. single dry plate
Gearbox -3 (or 4, optional) forward speeds, all synchromesh
synchromesh - all
Gearbox ratios 3 speed -3rd, 1:1; 2nd, 1-84:1; 1st, 3-94:1; reverse, 3.77:1
Gearbox ratios 4 speed 4th, 1:1; 3rd, 2nd, 2•64:1 ; 1st reverse, 3.77:1
Drive Axles -Semi-floating
Final Drive gear -Hypoid
Final Drive ratio options -4.625:1, 5-286:1, 4.111:1BRAKES
Front -Girling hydraulic, 9in. diam.
Rear -Girling hydraulic, 9in. diam.
Hanbrake -Cable on rear wheels
Front Linings - Mintex M35 8.61 X 1-72 0.18in
Rear Linings - Mintex M43 8.61 X 1-72 0.18in
STEERINGType -Burman recirculating ball
Turning circle - L.W.B., 37ft.; S.W.B., 34ft (at wheels)SUSPENSION
FRONT SUSPENSION
Type -Independent, right-hand helical coil
Number of coils - 9.5
Spring rate -306 1b/in.
REAR SUSPENSION
Type -Semi-elliptic leaf springs
Number of leaves - 7 or 8 heavy duty
ELECTRICALPetrol Diesel
Distributor -A.C.-Delco, No. 7953029
Ignition coil -A.C.-Delco, oil-filled
Battery -Exide 6XNA7ZR12V 43 amp
Battery earth -Positive
Alternator - Dynamo Lucas, type C40-1 (alternator optional)
Control box -Lucas, type RB340
Starter motor -Lucas, type M35G-1Diesel
Battery Diesel Exide 6TXMZ15R, 12v., 87a.h.
Starter Lucas, type M35G-1 (diesel, M45G)Bedford CA Mk. 2 Van (4 x 2).
Engine Bedford petrol or fuel injection.
Number of cylinders 4. Cubic capacity 1594 litres (petrol), 1621 litres (fuel injection).
B.H.P. 59 or 62 (petrol), 42 (fuel injection)
Overall length 12 ft. 10 in. (CAS)' 13 ft. 10 in. (CAL).
Overall width 5 ft. 10 in. Height 6 ft. 2
Turning circle 34 ft. (CAS), 37 ft. (CAL).
Wheel-base 7 ft. 6 in. (CAS), 8 ft. 6 in. (CAL).
Track 4 ft. in. (front),4 ft. 6b in. (rear).
Fuel tank capacity 7.5 gallons.
Gross weight 1 ton 14cwt or 1 ton 15 cwt (CAS), 1 ton 18 cwt. or 1 ton 19 cwt. (CAL).details engine configuration inline four overhead valve petrol engine engine displacement 1,508 cubic centimetres (92.0 cu in) cylinder bore 3.126 inches (79.4 mm) piston stroke 3.000 inches (76.2 mm) low compression high compression compression ratio 6.8:1 7.8:1 max. motive power 52.0 bhp (38.8 kW) @ 4,000 rpm 54.8 bhp (40.9 kW) @ 4,200 rpm max. torque 81.7 lbf·ft (111 N·m) @ 2,400 rpm 84.5 lbf·ft (115 N·m) @ 2,400 rpm Dimensions
details overall width 70.0 inches (1,778 mm) overall height (unladen) 74.75 inches (1,899 mm) axle track 53.25 inches (1,353 mm) (front) 54.5 inches (1,384 mm) (rear) short wheelbase long wheelbase wheelbase 90 inches (2,286 mm) 102 inches (2,591 mm) overall length 154 inches (3,912 mm) 166 inches (4,216 mm) kerb weight 2,245 pounds (1,018 kg) 2,345 pounds (1,064 kg) turning circle 34 feet (10.4 m) 37 feet (11.3 m)
Service
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Bedford CA Maintenance and Service Guide (1952-1969)
Normal servicing intervals -1000 miles 1600 Petrol (late)
Ignition timing static -9° B.T.D.C.
Sparking plugs -A.C. 43 14mm.
Sparking plug gap -.028 to .030in.Engine oil change with filter - 6 pints
Engine oil total capacity - 7.5 pints
Gearbox - 2.1 pints 3-speed); 2.4 pints (4-speed)
Differential -3,82 pints
Cooling system - 11 pints
Fuel tank -7.5 pints
Tyre size -6.70 x 13in. (6-ply)
Tyre pressures (lb/sq.in) -18 to 36 according to load
No. of grease points - 22
Hydraulic fluid -Lockheed 103© Motor car History
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