A question about Bedford TK

[bedfordlover]

Hi there,

I am a guy from Turkey who really admires the Bedford TK since his childhood, the main reasons for being so are the overall apperance and the unique engine sound of those Bedfords. A few years ago I watched some videos of Bedfords at the UK and I was quite confused as they do not sound like the ones I used to see in Turkey. Then I wondered if they used a different engine for the ones that were assembled in Turkey and even asked to Vauxhall if they have any information about that but they could not really help.

The Turkish distributor of Bedford trucks was defunct before I was born so there were very little information on my end until a few days ago I found a brochure that was released in Turkey at 1970s, there it says the engine is called "220 diesel." Then I took a look at some pictures of that engine online and confirmed that this is the exactly same engine a Turkey based Bedford TK uses. Though I watched some videos of that engine and it doesn't sound like I used to hear, again. So the engines were the same, but the sounds are different. Lastly, I talked with a guy in Turkey and he said that it could be caused by different injection pumps used. But I want to be sure and finally know the truth (lol) so if anyone knows about Bedford TKs, their story (for example if they used different parts for Turkish models), or have an idea why the engines sound different, please share your opinions.

Thanks a lot.

[Carryfast]

Hi there,

I am a guy from Turkey who really admires the Bedford TK since his childhood, the main reasons for being so are the overall apperance and the unique engine sound of those Bedfords. A few years ago I watched some videos of Bedfords at the UK and I was quite confused as they do not sound like the ones I used to see in Turkey. Then I wondered if they used a different engine for the ones that were assembled in Turkey and even asked to Vauxhall if they have any information about that but they could not really help.

The Turkish distributor of Bedford trucks was defunct before I was born so there were very little information on my end until a few days ago I found a brochure that was released in Turkey at 1970s, there it says the engine is called "220 diesel." Then I took a look at some pictures of that engine online and confirmed that this is the exactly same engine a Turkey based Bedford TK uses. Though I watched some videos of that engine and it doesn't sound like I used to hear, again. So the engines were the same, but the sounds are different. Lastly, I talked with a guy in Turkey and he said that it could be caused by different injection pumps used. But I want to be sure and finally know the truth (lol) so if anyone knows about Bedford TKs, their story (for example if they used different parts for Turkish models), or have an idea why the engines sound different, please share your opinions.

Thanks a lot.

Are you sure you're not mistaking hearing Detroit powered KM for TK ?.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWbwH8r-WiE

[DEANB]

Heres some information on the different TK engine options.

Click on pages twice to read.

[cav551]

The TK Bedford was a range of models for various gross weights fitted with a variety of engines during the lifetime of its production. Most models within a weight range offered a limited choice of alternative options. The mid '70s Bedford specification book of alternative engine, gearbox, axle and chassis configuration details was about 2 inches thick. It was a developing range so the earliest offerings were not necessarily available at the end of production nor were all offered at the same time. TK production continued for a while after its replacement, similar looking, TL model was introduced.

Apart from the noise of different engine models, the air filtration, exhaust system, fuel injection equipment and transmission have an effect on what is heard. It is also common for two identical vehicles to sound different. Sadly memory plays a trick or two as well. Probably the most commonly associated with the TK are the 220D, 330D and 466D.

Four cylinder engines fitted were: 200D, became 220D, became Red Series 3.6 litreTurbo, all diesel engines for the lightest models, there was also a petrol 200P. These for gross weights up to about 10 tons

Six cylinder engines Petrol 300P and diesels 300D, became 330D became Red series 5.4 litre turbo for gross weights up to about 12tons. The larger capacity six cylinder 381D became 466D became 500D which became eventually the 8.2 litre Blue series all for gross weights over 10 tons. There was some limited overlapping of options between weight ranges.

Bedford also fitted the Leyland 350, 375 and its development 400 diesel engine into these heavier models before it developed its own 381 and 466 engines and offered the Perkins 4.236 and 6.354 engines in the earlier years of production.

The heaviest TK tractor unit offered featured a Detroit 6V71 engine.

[windrush]

The earlier 200 series four cylinder engines had pneumatic governors so would sound different to the later 220's as they had the Minimec pumps with mechanical governors. They were also different mechanically (those long head studs on the early models that were in the water jacket and corroded away! ) but looked basically similar from the outside.

Pete.

[bedfordlover]

Thanks a lot for those replies. Today I came up with some more details, including 2 videos and some pictures.

Some details from the brochure:
Engine power: 74 hp
Fuel pump: Simms
Loaded weight: 5690 kg (about 12550 pounds)
Tires: 7.50 x 16

A video where that sound is audible - though this one recently had a restoration and sounds a bit denser
https://drive.google.com/file/d/108_pMK ... sp=sharing

In this one the sound is higher pitched and exactly the same as I mentioned
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u-k3LX ... sp=sharing

Lastly, I managed to find the engine serial number of a Turkey based Bedford, it is "861657"

Can we confirm that the engine is indeed Bedford 220? If so what could be the main reason for Turkey-assembled TKs to sound that different?

[Bewick]

Hi there,

I am a guy from Turkey who really admires the Bedford TK since his childhood, the main reasons for being so are the overall apperance and the unique engine sound of those Bedfords. A few years ago I watched some videos of Bedfords at the UK and I was quite confused as they do not sound like the ones I used to see in Turkey. Then I wondered if they used a different engine for the ones that were assembled in Turkey and even asked to Vauxhall if they have any information about that but they could not really help.

The Turkish distributor of Bedford trucks was defunct before I was born so there were very little information on my end until a few days ago I found a brochure that was released in Turkey at 1970s, there it says the engine is called "220 diesel." Then I took a look at some pictures of that engine online and confirmed that this is the exactly same engine a Turkey based Bedford TK uses. Though I watched some videos of that engine and it doesn't sound like I used to hear, again. So the engines were the same, but the sounds are different. Lastly, I talked with a guy in Turkey and he said that it could be caused by different injection pumps used. But I want to be sure and finally know the truth (lol) so if anyone knows about Bedford TKs, their story (for example if they used different parts for Turkish models), or have an idea why the engines sound different, please share your opinions.

Thanks a lot.

Are you sure you're not mistaking hearing Detroit powered KM for TK ?.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWbwH8r-WiE

Trust you "CF" to stick your totally irrelevant "two Penarth" in although luckily the Turkish lad would probably "clock" you as an [zb] ! Cheers Bewick

[Dipster]

Hi there,

I am a guy from Turkey who really admires the Bedford TK since his childhood, the main reasons for being so are the overall apperance and the unique engine sound of those Bedfords. A few years ago I watched some videos of Bedfords at the UK and I was quite confused as they do not sound like the ones I used to see in Turkey. Then I wondered if they used a different engine for the ones that were assembled in Turkey and even asked to Vauxhall if they have any information about that but they could not really help.

The Turkish distributor of Bedford trucks was defunct before I was born so there were very little information on my end until a few days ago I found a brochure that was released in Turkey at 1970s, there it says the engine is called "220 diesel." Then I took a look at some pictures of that engine online and confirmed that this is the exactly same engine a Turkey based Bedford TK uses. Though I watched some videos of that engine and it doesn't sound like I used to hear, again. So the engines were the same, but the sounds are different. Lastly, I talked with a guy in Turkey and he said that it could be caused by different injection pumps used. But I want to be sure and finally know the truth (lol) so if anyone knows about Bedford TKs, their story (for example if they used different parts for Turkish models), or have an idea why the engines sound different, please share your opinions.

Thanks a lot.

Are you sure you're not mistaking hearing Detroit powered KM for TK ?.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWbwH8r-WiE

Trust you "CF" to stick your totally irrelevant "two Penarth" in although luckily the Turkish lad would probably "clock" you as an [zb] ! Cheers Bewick

But he does have a point.

[Carryfast]

Are you sure you're not mistaking hearing Detroit powered KM for TK ?.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWbwH8r-WiE

Trust you "CF" to stick your totally irrelevant "two Penarth" in although luckily the Turkish lad would probably "clock" you as an [zb] ! Cheers Bewick

But he does have a point.

Bewick is just pissed off because GM had the sense not to put his Gardner boat anchors in it.

[Lawrence Dunbar]

Well IMO, The Bedford T K Range was well named T K . Total Knackers Motor, The S Type was a far better motor IMO, I drove a TK Artic Scammell coupling trailer, It had the Bedford 300 engine, It was a total waste of time it was bother from day one, My boss Jonny Baxter was sick of them as he Had three, They were all bother, In fact they just about skint him, He did move on & got a couple of ERFs Then Dodges, I got the first new Dodge with a tilt cab JTN 222 D. It was a good bit of gear, I used to do three trips a week to West Thurrock loaded both ways, Of course the Load was Tote Bins full of soap chips, When I was tipped they reloaded me with MTs, So it was a good return trip, A good earner of course for me & Good Old Jonny Baxter, He was a real nice bloke to work for, The good old days, Regards Larry.

[Carryfast]

Well IMO, The Bedford T K Range was well named T K . Total Knackers Motor, The S Type was a far better motor IMO, I drove a TK Artic Scammell coupling trailer, It had the Bedford 300 engine, It was a total waste of time it was bother from day one, My boss Jonny Baxter was sick of them as he Had three, They were all bother, In fact they just about skint him, He did move on & got a couple of ERFs Then Dodges, I got the first new Dodge with a tilt cab JTN 222 D. It was a good bit of gear, I used to do three trips a week to West Thurrock loaded both ways, Of course the Load was Tote Bins full of soap chips, When I was tipped they reloaded me with MTs, So it was a good return trip, A good earner of course for me & Good Old Jonny Baxter, He was a real nice bloke to work for, The good old days, Regards Larry.

I absolutely hated the TK.Hateful pice of retrograde junk everything from the driving position, to useless brakes to the evil low geared steering.The engine was the least of its issues.
The bonneted Leyland WF was a far far better motor.
Can only hope that the KM was something better and safer than a TK with a decent motor in it.

[cav551]

I can't see the red engine fuel pump clearly, but it is possibly a SImms. The black and white one has a CAV pneumatic governor which matches the sound of the first video idling with a distinctive hunting common to pneumatic governors. The second video sounds more like a six cylinder 330D than a 220D. Unusual to see a small TK with power steering.

[ChrisArbon]

My memories of Bedford TK lorries during my travels across Turkey is of straight-through exhaust pipes and clouds of black smoke. Totally overloaded tag-axled 6 wheelers holding up traffic on the hills and screaming motors with smoking brakes on the down-grades. An endless mind-numbing drone only punctuated by the bang of a blown-out tyre.

[Carryfast]

I can't see the red engine fuel pump clearly, but it is possibly a SImms. The black and white one has a CAV pneumatic governor which matches the sound of the first video idling with a distinctive hunting common to pneumatic governors. The second video sounds more like a six cylinder 330D than a 220D. Unusual to see a small TK with power steering.

That very last bit as he applies load on the engine sounds like just the same nasty 4 cylinder as the first and the TJ's we had on the council.A silly four cylinder motor in a truck Bedford's designers seem to have totally lost the plot.

[bedfordlover]

I can't see the red engine fuel pump clearly, but it is possibly a SImms. The black and white one has a CAV pneumatic governor which matches the sound of the first video idling with a distinctive hunting common to pneumatic governors. The second video sounds more like a six cylinder 330D than a 220D. Unusual to see a small TK with power steering.

Thanks for the answer. So can we say that the engine is probably 220 diesel with different governor and/or fuel pump used? If so, does that basically mean that if we attach those parts to the English TKs they would sound the same as the ones in the videos?

[backsplice]

My memories of my 1972 TK (KCC) originally had a Chev 6 Cyl petrol which was converted to a 253 V8 Holden which had a nice "purr " when running .... I know that Bedford down here in Australia produced a TK fitted with a 308 Holden V8 (Chev) which were quite popular but I suspect that there were numerous combinations ...... I think with these smaller models with the GVM of 7.5 Tons all had the typical 4 speed box with a gear lever that swiveled all over the place ....I loved my little TK

[bedfordlover]

My memories of my 1972 TK (KCC) originally had a Chev 6 Cyl petrol which was converted to a 253 V8 Holden which had a nice "purr " when running .... I know that Bedford down here in Australia produced a TK fitted with a 308 Holden V8 (Chev) which were quite popular but I suspect that there were numerous combinations ...... I think with these smaller models with the GVM of 7.5 Tons all had the typical 4 speed box with a gear lever that swiveled all over the place ....I loved my little TK

Looks indeed so sweet.

[Wheel Nut]

Most reliable as parcel vans

Most reliable as parcel vans

Another Licensed Genoto

[whisperingsmith]

My memories of Bedford TK lorries during my travels across Turkey is of straight-through exhaust pipes and clouds of black smoke. Totally overloaded tag-axled 6 wheelers holding up traffic on the hills and screaming motors with smoking brakes on the down-grades. An endless mind-numbing drone only punctuated by the bang of a blown-out tyre.

I think this nails it, I'm pretty sure the pump settings were changed hence the black smoke and they sure worked them hard, but they kept going and were very, very common.

[Star down under.]

Well IMO, The Bedford T K Range was well named T K . Total Knackers Motor, The S Type was a far better motor IMO, I drove a TK Artic Scammell coupling trailer, It had the Bedford 300 engine, It was a total waste of time it was bother from day one, My boss Jonny Baxter was sick of them as he Had three, They were all bother, In fact they just about skint him, He did move on & got a couple of ERFs Then Dodges, I got the first new Dodge with a tilt cab JTN 222 D. It was a good bit of gear, I used to do three trips a week to West Thurrock loaded both ways, Of course the Load was Tote Bins full of soap chips, When I was tipped they reloaded me with MTs, So it was a good return trip, A good earner of course for me & Good Old Jonny Baxter, He was a real nice bloke to work for, The good old days, Regards Larry.

I absolutely hated the TK.Hateful pice of retrograde junk everything from the driving position, to useless brakes to the evil low geared steering.The engine was the least of its issues.
The bonneted Leyland WF was a far far better motor.
Can only hope that the KM was something better and safer than a TK with a decent motor in it. :shock:

Lucky you, our KMs were fitted with bird scarers (6-53). I've never seen a Bedford with a Gardiner.

[Star down under.]

My memories of my 1972 TK (KCC) originally had a Chev 6 Cyl petrol which was converted to a 253 V8 Holden which had a nice "purr " when running .... I know that Bedford down here in Australia produced a TK fitted with a 308 Holden V8 (Chev) which were quite popular but I suspect that there were numerous combinations ...... I think with these smaller models with the GVM of 7.5 Tons all had the typical 4 speed box with a gear lever that swiveled all over the place ....I loved my little TK

Sorry for being pedantic but, both 253 and 308 are Australian (GM-Holden) designed and built. They shared the stroke, but differed in bore and cams. The Chev was 307, 327 and 350.

[Carryfast]

Lucky you, our KMs were fitted with bird scarers (6-53). I've never seen a Bedford with a Gardiner.

It was 6v71 for the KM and that was too small for a 32 tonner let alone 53 .Yep luckily they never put Gardners in anything and Bewick has never forgiven em for it.

[Lawrence Dunbar]

Well a long departed friend of mine who ran nothing else but Bedfords, He replaced a S Type 4 wheeler with a 6 wheeler TK With a Primrose trailaig axle, It had a Bedford 300, Diesel engine a four speed box along with a two speed drive axle, This was 1959/60. It was bother from day one, It wouldnt pull the skin off a rice pudding He ended up just putting 10 Ton on it as it just used to give up on any steep incline, He even thouth about making it into a four wheeler, But this was just before M O T s came in and the silly transmission hand brake was a joke IMO, He sold up and retired, Regards Larry.

[windrush]

I spent nine months at a Bedford dealership and I grew to quite like them after a while. Not as awkward to work on as I had first imagined, not bad to drive either apart from the low windscreen which meant that at 6' 4" tall I had to stoop a little to see under it, and with their own four speed box a nice easy gearchange. They were very light on steering after the BMC's I had been used to and we never had any problems with the brake readings on MOT. They had one thick and one thin lining on the front brakes, only the thicker one wore out and we relined them regularly but rarely touched the thinner trailing shoes. KM's were not as easy to work on though as it was all rather tight in their engine bay! The quarry I later worked at had run Bedfords for years but they had all gone when I started apart from a couple used internally, and some long out of use and parked up awaiting disposal. When I went for my interview the then foreman was fitting some new big end shells to an internal one fitted with the 466 engine as it had run backwards into a hopper when tipping and the crank had run dry. "He will be very lucky to get away with just shells" I thought at the time. I started there just over a week later and the foreman had just retired, guess what one of my first jobs was......fitting a new crankshaft into that Bedford as 'you know all about these'. The shells hadn't cured the problem!

Pete.

[Star down under.]

https://www.ownerdriver.com.au/truck-re ... ny-bedford

I'm surprised a '71 would fit, without major modifications but it matters none, all two stroke Detroits drank like a sailor on leave and leaked like a colander. A crap truck with a rubbish engine.

[backsplice]

My memories of my 1972 TK (KCC) originally had a Chev 6 Cyl petrol which was converted to a 253 V8 Holden which had a nice "purr " when running .... I know that Bedford down here in Australia produced a TK fitted with a 308 Holden V8 (Chev) which were quite popular but I suspect that there were numerous combinations ...... I think with these smaller models with the GVM of 7.5 Tons all had the typical 4 speed box with a gear lever that swiveled all over the place ....I loved my little TK

Sorry for being pedantic but, both 253 and 308 are Australian (GM-Holden) designed and built. They shared the stroke, but differed in bore and cams. The Chev was 307, 327 and 350.

I stand corrected I was under the impression that the Holden V8,s were the same as the Chev being GM ....... while I was with the bushfire service there was a canteen TK with the 6 cyl "Mexican Chev " it is still there now its an early 70,s model

[Star down under.]

This is the first I've heard of a Cummins in a Bedford. It wasn't a factory option, but a major dealer conversion, offering an air of officialdom. The ad is from early 1970.