Not sure if these questions only to people who know about old Bedfords but no harm in asking...


I have a 1972 Bedford TK. 330 diesel engine. I'm wanting to buy some suitable engine oil. The stuff it wants in the service manual I don't see on the shelves in Halfords etc (20/20, 20/50 etc). How much has oil technology changed since 1972 and what would a suitable oil be?

This is the lubricants page of the manual:




Tyres. All of the tyres on the bedford are good tread-wise but they're looking a bit old. The tyres say 8.25R16 on them. I'm used to 205/45/17 etc, is this an older way of tyre labelling? Is there a modern size equivalent of 8.25R16? Are they easy/hard to get hold of and anyone know a supplier?

Also, anyone know if the 4 speed gearbox is a straight swap for the 5 speed? Would the 5 speed give a higher top speed?

Many thanks

[Edited on 26/2/09 by Benzine]

can't help (except the modern tyre equivalent is probably 215R16, don't know what the wall will be)

got any pictures? I like an old lorry

Any decent 10w/40 15w40 or 20/50 mineral or part synth diesel engine oil should be fine.
Don't however use fully synthetic as the oil seals might not like it.

Bedford/Vauxhall/GM OHV engines of this period never had any real lubrication issues --- great engines.

Isn't 8.25x16 cross ply? Only thing I recall is DON'T mix cross ply and radial on a vehicle. I know moving from X ply to radial was usually a good move though.

Technology has moved on unbelievably. I ordered some oil for my dad's 1965 Triumph Tiger 90 from JS Oils - the guy is really knowledgable and great to deal with. Worth a call i recon.

JS Oils

Try contacting Opie Oils http://www.opieoils.co.uk/
They shoild be able to help

the tyres are crossply,any place that does light trucks should be able to sort them,i would use a cheap 20/50 diesel oil,its run on it for 36 years and will do so till the end of time,no idea about the gearbox,the top gear ratio will prob be the same just closer together.
i used have a 220 in my lwb landrover,pull away in top no problems

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if it's 8.5R16 then it's a radial tyre, that's what the R means.

[Edited on 26/2/09 by matt_claydon]

a mate of mine has a bedford tk
will ask him when i see him

Valvoline do a 20/50 for classics. Try your local independent factors.

adrian

My local halfords sells classic oils like this and the stuff in red cans for classics - can't remember the name.

Diesel truck engine ----- "Classic" oils won't normally have enough detergent additive.

[Edited on 27/2/09 by britishtrident]

Thanks for all the info!

quote:

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Originally posted by blakep82
got any pictures? I like an old lorry

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