Bradford 1/4mile drags

Keith Andrews · Post by **Keith Andrews** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 5:52 am

Driving around a lot, the Bradford gets dragged off at the lights by most things, including big truck trailer units...thu I always catch up at the next set of lights so it doesntb really matter

Yesterday was looking thru the juck mail out of the leter box and found something the Bradford will beat on the 1/4 mile!!!!!

Bradford spec 33 sec
Hitachi 75mm belt sander spec 400m/minute

george garside · Post by **george garside** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 10:50 am

i always found the Bradford got of the mark much quicker (relatiavely speaking!) with a very early change into 2nd gear more or less as soon as it was rolling, thus avoiding the slow change inevitable with a very wide ratio box & heavy flywheel.

The Bradford man · Post by **The Bradford man** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 2:49 pm

lol

David Kemp · Post by **David Kemp** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 10:52 am

How much quicker do you wish to go?
A way without loading the engine , is to change the gearbox to an escort 4 speed . I have seen this conversion in Sydney Australia .Supposedly easy. If using modern parts is heresy try a period Austin , my Dad swore this was a bolt in job .
If you don't mind engine mods , Try advancing the ignition timing Two teeth on the flywheel . Can make considerable difference.
Also shaved heads , as standard compression is very low.
Next a Friend long ago bolted on a Skoda carb , Cut down a Zephyr cam shaft for a modern profile . It went so fast his mother gave the ultimatum"the car goes or you go" he immigrated to Australia!
Last I saw he had rodded a Bradford with Skoda front suspension.
All engine mods should be done with an NZ steel crane .
The results of modifying a cast crank is a two piece crank!
hope this helps.

george garside · Post by **george garside** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 4:33 pm

[quote="David Kemp"]How much quicker do you wish to go?
A way without loading the engine , is to change the gearbox to an escort 4 speed . I have seen this conversion in Sydney Australia .Supposedly easy. If you don't mind engine mods , Try advancing the ignition timing Two teeth on the flywheel . Can make considerable difference.

Using a Ford escort box or any other 'modern' one leaves you without a low enough bottom gear for 1 in 4 hill starts. most post 1960 ish stuff has relatively high bottom .Jowett pre war 4 speed box fits CA & CB & the extra length can be accomodated (just) by reversing front engine mountings. with this you get the advanatage of lower bottom & high third.
Javelin boxes have been adapted to fit CC bellhousing & floor change.

I woul worry about advaancing ignition 2 teeth as likely to crack starter mounting on bell housing. perhaps a vacuum advance as used on the 1940 8 saloon (but not van) would help the engine to rev up a bit quicker.

george

Keith Andrews · Post by **Keith Andrews** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 11:15 pm

I prefer just make the Braddy run like it did when it came out of the factory
Just use about 75 octane...

If going to mod or rod...go all the way..
Jag rear end, jag front end, Chevy Sb 350 ci
Set of Cragar SS 14: rims on 235x14x60 rubber
Widen body 9 to 10" maybe a but of a chop?
Air con, electic windows,
All Mounted on a mazda small truck chassis....

Then it will be competive on the 1/4 mile
Anything short of this is a waste of time..
The Braddy will pull anything, climb anything, go anywhere ex factory..with a good tune and correct fuel.