W.H.WILLIAMS (spennymoor)

Bedfords did good work for many operators without a doubt Carl. Many complained about poor brakes across the range but they always got though the annual test OK so couldn’t have been too bad? Gearbox overhauls on Bedfords own 4 speed box was something we did regularly at the dealership, 3rd gear synchromesh seemed a weak point, but the Turner 5 speed was quite reliable. The rear crankshaft oil seal on the 330 engine, just an old fashioned ‘rope’ in a groove, was another regular task as they worked lose and spun in the crankcase allowing oil to leak onto the clutch. An engine out task to do them properly, and we also had a few that chucked con rods through the block (sometimes knocking the compressor off in the process) which was exciting but then many other makes of diesel engines did that including Gardners! I preferred the 330 engine to the 381 and 466 engines, they never seemed to run as smoothly.

Pete.