I should know better at my age

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Forumadmin
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Re: I should know better at my age

Post by Forumadmin »

You only have two cylinders, a four stroke engine and a single carb. So getting an evening flow through the intake and exhaust tracts is a challenge.
If you could analyse the burn of each cylinder on an oscilloscope you might be able to find a difference.
My guess is that as the revs rise the resonance in the inlet tract changes changing the vacuum readings on the metering holes.
Altering the jetting should improve the mixture. Remember those carbs were designed for low octane juice.
David Kemp
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Re: I should know better at my age

Post by David Kemp »

Purists look away, I have added a thematic fan to aid cooling when being analysed.
It was an easy fit; does anyone know what the two studs on a Bradford's radiator are for?
IMG_20250622_090624357_MFNR.jpg
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Good memories of Bradfords.
StevenGray
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Your interest in the forum: Jowett Bradford 1948 "CB" Model
Given Name: Steven
Location: West Midlands

Re: I should know better at my age

Post by StevenGray »

They aren't fitted to any of the radiators that I have, so maybe only fitted on export models.
Bradford Owner since 1971
BarryHarding
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Your interest in the forum: Jowett Bradford owner with an interest in older British cars currently have 1937 Jowett 10 hp roadster, 1948 Morris Six, restored but now in only fair condition, 2 CC Bradfords, 1 restored and the other unrestored.
An unrestored 1956 Jaguar 2.4 Saloon.
Given Name: Barry
Location: Western Australia

Re: I should know better at my age

Post by BarryHarding »

Some models (destined for the colonies) were fitted with a fan, a 2 blade thing that bolted to the generator pulley.
The studs on the radiator were to hold the cowl for the fan.
The whole thing is a very rudimentary arrangement, which I think would have very little effect if any.

I have fitted an electric fan with a manual switch so I can turn it on when required but I have found in 10000 miles that I have never used it.
Almost all of my driving is on the open road and in that situation the Bradford cooling system is perfectly adequate without a fan, city traffic or hilly terrain might be a different story.
Barry Harding
David Kemp
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Re: I should know better at my age

Post by David Kemp »

My Bradford is now roadworthy & registered, some confusion at the rego centre of course happened.
Very pleasant young lady behind the counter had never registered a two cylinders car before or one that weighs less than one tonne.
Also they do not know what a Bradford is, only a Jowett Bradford.
A GVM is also needed now in QLD , fortunately they accepted a print out from the JCC , but QLD club may need to get a document printed for the future.
My shake down run confirmed,
Bradford ride is very stiff , on good sections of road it is ok ,but bad sections certainly give the spine a work out.
I will need to increase the castor as I believe the factory setting is not enough to combat wander.
All in all I am quite happy with the old girl, she certainly gives a smile per mile factor no modern can.
IMG_20250710_095157273_HDR.jpg
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Good memories of Bradfords.
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Re: I should know better at my age

Post by Forumadmin »

Well done David. I think some Bradfords have dampers fitted on the steering. Have a search on JT and the archive.
StevenGray
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Your interest in the forum: Jowett Bradford 1948 "CB" Model
Given Name: Steven
Location: West Midlands

Re: I should know better at my age

Post by StevenGray »

David
Increasing the castor angle may not make any difference, I have an extra 5.5deg and new front springs and a steering damper that Keith mentioned and it still wanders, better on a good road surface but it still follows undulations on poorer surfaces. The ride is harsh so well sprung seats are a definite improvement, at the end of the day even with utility springing it is still rated for 8cwt so never going to be soft.

Steven
Bradford Owner since 1971
David Kemp
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Re: I should know better at my age

Post by David Kemp »

Up date, I tightened a joint , old girl now barely wanders.
I will increase castor though to see if it does improve.
My steering is very light as it is.
Good memories of Bradfords.
David Kemp
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Re: I should know better at my age

Post by David Kemp »

Bought a GPS Speedo & have found speeding in my local streets is quite easy. Local speed limits are between 40klm & 70klm per hour.
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Good memories of Bradfords.
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Re: I should know better at my age

Post by Forumadmin »

GPS Speedo in the Aston is not much good because you can be doing 200kph before the GPS has caught up!
David Kemp
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Re: I should know better at my age

Post by David Kemp »

IMG_20250730_110509311_MFNR.jpg
Another upgrade is replacing the carb banjos with barbs.
The carb fitting is 12mm X 1.25.
I did it as I could not get the banjos to seal or stay tight, barbs are working fine.
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Good memories of Bradfords.
David Kemp
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Re: I should know better at my age

Post by David Kemp »

200kph in a Bradford could only happen if dropped from an aeroplane, even then due to the Bradford's lack of aerodynamics I doubt it could achieve that speed😀
Good memories of Bradfords.
David Kemp
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Re: I should know better at my age

Post by David Kemp »

The old girl has been losing coolant, at 1st I thought it was only on high speed runs, but putting around it was still losing water.
When I flushed the radiator it at 1st blew the flush gun back in my face. With a roar something cleared.
Hopefully this is now fixed, though I suspect a new core after 75 years is on the cards.
IMG_20251011_084805901_HDR.jpg
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Good memories of Bradfords.
David Kemp
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Joined: Sun Mar 09, 2008 1:18 pm
Location: Brisbane ,Australia

Re: I should know better at my age

Post by David Kemp »

After cleaning my fuel tank,changing fuel filter then driving for 3 tanks of fuel, the old girl stopped putt putting.
Inspection showed a completely blocked filter.
I changed the filter & away we went, seems another clean out or possibly a flush through a cleanable filter may be in order.
20251018_154019.jpg
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Good memories of Bradfords.
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Re: I should know better at my age

Post by Forumadmin »

I have petrol filters from Drummond to fit to all three Jowetts this winter!
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