Bradford gerabox

[Roger]

Hi,

Some time ago, I acquired a Bradford CC lorry and have over the years gradually improved her so that she is now, even if I say so myself, one of the nicest. Like many others, the gearbox has seen better days and I would very much like to fit a reconditioned box. I have acquired a second hand unit and wonder if anyone has had experience of getting and old Bradford box repaired successfully. Help and advice gratefully accepted.

[Keith Andrews]

I reconditioned 1, And rebuilt 2 a few months back
Was no big deal, the only thing Idid have to makup was a long socket for the nut in the bellhousing
I purchased the right sized socket, cut it in 1/2 on the lathe then miged each 1/2 on each end of heavy pipe.
Follow the manual for dismantle and assembly, other wise u can get into a bit of a mess getting shafts in and out.

Check the brass selectors for wear, I dont know if replacement are avalible, I was lucky, managed to get some from a stack of old cases I had here.
Replace all bearings...regardless, and the brass needle bearings canbe replaces with longer modern caged ones...check wear on these shafts, they can be rebuilt by metal spraying.

[Roger]

Keith,

Thank you for your very useful response. I’m pretty certain that the brass selectors will be worn. Do you have any spares? If not, is it worth having a batch made? Is that a practical prospect? I may ask around and see if there is any UK interest if you think it a useful notion. Actually, the last time I had an offer to make up unusual parts at a very reasonable price was from New Zealand when I was looking for an XK Bellhousing to fit a Toyota box for my racing ‘120.

[ian Howell]

Just a word of warning, the studs that hold the cover of the gearbox also hold the selector bushes in place.

When I rebuilt my Bradford back in the 60's, I overlooked this and one of the bushes was gradually pushed into the bell housing, finally 'fouling' the clutch operating fingers and making a **** of a mess!

Good luck with the rest of the job!

[Keith Andrews]

Do you have any spares?

No...I was lucky to get 2 good sets from my pile of old 'boxes, and 1 1/2 worn

If not, is it worth having a batch made?

I discuused this With Neil Moore a while back, at the time I had not stripped the old boxes that had been laying in a parrock for untold yrs..he thinks it would be worth while?

Is that a practical prospect? I may ask around and see if there is any UK interest if you think it a useful notion. Actually, the last time I had an offer to make up unusual parts at a very reasonable price was from New Zealand

Lets see what other members think, Neil maybe able to arrange something??

[Keith Andrews]

Oh another area to look at is replace the bushes for the thrust bearing/linkage shaft, and replace or rebuild (metal spray) the shaft.

[PAUL BEAUMONT]

Roger, it has to be worth talking to Bill Lock before you do too much leg work on this. I know that he supplies reconditioned boxes, but I do not know the extent of the work he does on them, nor if he is able to supply individual components.