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  • BMC 350 EA (1968-1984)
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1960s
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History

BMC 345 350 420 440 EA vans history

BMC 350 EA van history

Manufacturer:

BMC / Leyland

Production period:

1968 to 1984

Type:

commercial vehicle

designs:

Panel van , flatbed , minibus

Engines:

Gasoline 2.5 liters 
Diesel 2.5 liters 

 

In 1968, the BMC 350EA launched as the successor to the Morris LD Van / Austin 1000 / 1500kg Van . Following the merger of British Motor Corporation (BMC) and Leyland Motors into the British Leyland Motor Corporation (BLMC), the model was no longer marketed as Morris / Austin and production of the Leyland 2-tonner and Leyland 15/20 discontinued.

The 350 EA was therefore the group's first model to be offered as BMC from the beginning as 345, 350, 420,  and larger 440 EA, while for example the BMC 250 JU or the BMC J4 were only renamed models.

Like its predecessor, it was a cab transporter with a built-in between driver and passenger seat engine whose power was transmitted to the rear axle with cardan shaft. From the predecessor he distinguished in the body area some details:

  • The box van for door-to-door delivery now had two front sliding doors ex works.
  • Minibus and ambulances had as already the flatbed front two folding doors.
  • A semitrailer tractor was no longer produced, as this was the BMC FG alone in the segment provided.
  • A chassis with engine (cowl) for superstructures was also available again.
  • The ambulance now had a special body of its own on the platform of the 350 EA,
  • But there was also a patient transport car based on the 350-EA van.
  • The payload was now uniformly 1500 kg.

With the same wheelbase, the van had two different lengths with a cargo capacity of 7.7 m³ and 9.1 m³. A 2.5-liter gasoline engine with side camshaft and 51 kW (69 hp) or a 2.5-liter diesel engine with 42 kW (58 hp) powered the vehicle, each with 5-speed manual transmission.

In 1970, BLMC dropped the brand name BMC and the 350 EA was now marketed as Leyland EA. At the same time, the model range was revised. A new long-wheelbase version was introduced, which now has a cargo capacity of 9.1 m³ with short wheelbase and 11 m³ at long wheelbase in the van was available. The payload was increased to 1 ½ to 2 tons, bringing the total weight over 3500 kg and the name 350 was omitted in the name. Now again a chassis with cab for bodies was offered.

In advertising, Leyland spoke of a "box on wheels" or "plain, practical and packed with power." As was the case with BLMC at the time, the quality of construction and reliability varied. As a result, the EA never reached fleet sales like the Morris LD Van , but was nevertheless a familiar sight on the roads of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in the 1970s. Apart from the Commonwealth countries , he also achieved some sales successes in continental Europe.

From 1982 to 1984, he gradually replaced the larger versions of the Freight Rover 200-300 / Sherpa .

BMC 350 EA van General Specification

General Specification

  • Manufacturer:BMC / Leyland
  • Production period:1968-1984
  • Designs:Panel van , flatbed , minibus
  • Engines:Gasoline engine :2.5 liters (51 kW)Diesel engine :2.5 liters (42 kW)
  • Payload:1.5-2.0 t
  • Total weight:3.5-4.0 t
  • Previous model:Morris LD Van / Austin 1000 / 1500kg Van Leyland 2-tonner
  • Successor:Freight Rover 200-300

Technical

  • BMC 345 350 420 440 EA Technical details and specifications


    BODY AND CHASSIS
    Type of construction -steel chassis frame
    Material of body panels -Steel
    Windscreen glass - Toughened
    25U483B1640 (Petrol) ;25U523bd102 (diesel)

    DIMENSIONS .
    Length overall -15ft to 17ft
    Width overall - 82 in.
    Height overall (unladen) - 98-99 in.
    Weight (kerb) -39-43 cwt
    Ground clearance (min) -5-6 in.
    Track -Front, 62in; Rear, 62-7/8in.
    Wheelbase - 102 in
    Turning circle diameter -36ft

    TRANSMISSION

    Type - Rear wheel drive, rigid axle
    Clutch (hydraulic op.) - B & B. 9in. (Diesel, 10in), diam.
    Gearbox (manual) - 4 forward speeds, synchro. on 2nd, 3rd and 4th
    ratios (manual) - 1st 1;2nd 1.57;3rd 2-69;4th 4-63: R 5-93:1
    Gearbox (automatic) - Borg-Warner (optional)
    Driving axles - Fully floating
    Final drive gear - Spiral bevel
    Final drive ratio - 4.583.1 (55/12) or 5.714:1

    BRAKES (Dual-circuit system)
    Front - Lockheed 1Oin. drums
    Rear - Lockheed 1Oin. drums
    Handbrake - Mechanical, on rear wheels
    Linings—front - Ferodo AM14, 9.6 x 2.75in.
    Linings—rear - Ferodo AM14, 9.6 x 2.75in.
    Power assistance - Vacuum servo on 420/440 (opt. 345)

    STEERING
    Type - Cam and peg
    Camber angle - 3°
    Castor angle - 2-3/4°
    King-pin inclination 8 °
    Toe-in/ Toe-out - Parallel
    Conditions for checking - Unladen

    SUSPENSION

    Front
    Type - Semi-elliptic leaf springs
    Spring length - 41in. (eye centres)
    Number of leaves - 5
    Width of leaves - 2-1/2 inc
    Deflection—rated load - 3.17in.

    Rear
    Type - Semi-elliptic leaf springs
    Spring length - 50in. (eye centres)
    Number of leaves - 5+2 aux.; others, 5+4 aux.
    Width of leaves - 2-1/2 inc
    Deflection—rated load - 4.14in; others, 4.5in.

    ELECTRICAL
    Ignition timing—static -7° B.T.D.C. (mark on pulley) -
    Distributor -Lucas,45D4
    Vacuum adv. starts at -7in. Hg.
    Vacuum adv.—max. -12° at 18in. Hg.
    Ignition coil -Lucas LA12
    Battery -Petrol, 12V.67 A.h. Diesel, 95 A.h
    Battery earth -Negative
    Alternator -Lucas 16ACR or 18ACR
    Control box -Integral with alternator
    Starter motor -Lucas M418G or 2M100 (Diesel, M45G)

    ENGINES

    ENGINE (diesel 2520 cc)
    Type (25U) - 4-stroke; OHV ; side camshaft
    Cooling system - Water pump, radiator, fan and thermostat
    Number of cylinders - 4 (direct in block)
    Firing order - 1—3—4—2 (550 r.p.m.)
    Bore - 3.4995/3.501in.
    Stroke - 4.00/4.005in.
    Cubic capacity -2520 cc
    Comp. ratio - 20-5:1
    Brake horse-power - 60 at 3000 r.p.m.
    Torque (lb.ft.) -106 at 2000 r.p.m.
    Piston oversizes - .010, .020, .030, .040in.
    Piston rings—number - 2 comp, 1 oil
    Oil presure (lb./in.2) - 45/50 (15 idling)
    Big-end bearings - Steel-backed white metal
    Camshaft bearings - 3 Steel-backed white metal
    main bearings - 3; steel-backed reticular tin/alum.
    Camshaft drive type - Duplex roller chain
    Value head diam (Inlet) - 1.557/1.562in.
    Value head diam (Exhaust) - 1.307/1.312in.
    Fuel pump - A.C. mech; 4/71b./in.2
    Inj. pump - Inj. pump C.A.V.DPA3248880A
    Nozzles - BDN O SPC 6209
    Holders - BKB 355 5283
    Inj. timing - 23° B.T.D.C.
    Pressure - 135 atmos.

    ENGINE (Petrol 2512cc)
    Type (25U) - 4-stroke; OHV ; side camshaft
    Cooling system - Water pump, radiator, fan and thermostat
    Number of cylinders) - 4 (direct in block)
    Firing order - 1—3—4—2 (600 r.p.m.)
    Bore - 3.3440/3.3445in.
    Stroke - 4.375/4.380in.
    Cubic capacity - 2512cc
    Comp. ratio - 7-5:1
    Brake horse-power - 69 at 3750 r.p.m.
    Torque (lb.ft.) - 131 at 1750 r.p.m.
    Piston oversizes - .010, .020, .030, .040in.
    Piston rings—number - 3 comp, 1 oil
    Oil presure (lb./in.2) - 50 (15 idling)
    Big-end bearings - Steel-backed white metal
    main bearings - 3; steel-backed reticular tin/alum.
    Camshaft bearings -3 Steel-backed white metal
    Camshaft drive type - Duplex roller chain
    Value head diam (Inlet) - 1.600/1.605in.
    Value head diam (Exhaust) -1.415/1.420in.
    Valvelift - O. 39in.
    Valve clearance—inlet (cold) - .012in. (0.30mm.)
    Valve clearance—Exhaust (cold)- .012in. -
    Valve timing - 5°—45°-40°-10°
    Petrol pump - A. C. mech
    Carburettbr - 36 IVE (Zenith)
    Main jet - 125
    Comp'g jet - 150
    Slow-running - jet 60
    Needle valve - 1.75

    © Motor car History

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Service

  • BMC 345 350 420 440 EA maintenance and Service Guide

    Sparking plugs -Champion N9Y, 14mm. (Petrol)
    Sparking plug gap -.025in.(Petrol)
    Valve clearance—inlet (cold) - .012in.
    Valve clearance—Exhaust (cold) -.015in. (0.38mm.)
    Valve timing - 5°—40°-60°-5°
    Distributor Contact breaker gap -.014in to .016in.
    Distributor Dwell angle -51°±5°:
    Engine oil (incl. filter) -13 pints, Petrol and Diesel
    Gearbox - 3 1/2 pints (auto 11 pints)
    Differential -2 1/4 pints
    Cooling system (total) -18 pints (Diesel 19 1/2 pints )
    Fuel tank -14 gallons
    Tyre pressures (lb./in2) 40 front,40-64 rear
    No. of grease gun points -20
    Servicing intervals -3000 miles
    Hydraulic fluid -S.A.E.J1703
    Cylinder head nuts Tighten -65 (Diesel 75) (lb.ft)
    Big-end bearing nuts Tighten -50 (lb.ft)
    Main bearing nuts Tighten -100 (lb.ft)
    Flywheel bolts Tighten -35 (Diesel, 50) (lb.ft)
    Crown wheel bolts Tighten -90 (lb.ft)

    © Motor car History

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