Hi all,
Pretty new to the whole Bedford scene..... 3 days and counting
A mate and I have ventured into a partnership with an old CF 350, Banana back car carrier.
The vehicle will have two main duties:
1) Support Vehicle for the Cancer Council's "Shitbox Rally"
http://www.shitboxrally.com.au/This involves traveling approx 10,000klm through some of the most remote parts of OZ each year, and quite often with a car on its back.
2) We will be using it as needed to transport my friends Model T ford around the place, and sometimes interstate.... but not a daily driver.
At present the old girl is fitted with the Old 202 red motor, 3 speed Trimatic and a Ford 9 inch diff (4.11 to 1 ratio) and is presently returning approx 19lt/100klm... or there abouts. It is also fitted with a dual fuel setup, but when on the rally it will be run mostly on Petrol (ULP and Opel fuel) due to the fact that LPG just isn't available out there.
Now because of her primary duties as a Support Vehicle for the Charity Rally, she will need to be ultra reliable and reasonably good on fuel (as it can be a long time between drinks out there)
Preliminary thoughts on what to do with it are:
Option 1) Replace the Old 202 red motor with a slightly modified 3.3/202 Blue motor. Modifications would most likely be a better cam suited for towing etc, up the compression a little and get the 12 port head tickled and suitable for Un-leaded and LPG.
Along with the new donk, we would like to swap the old 3 speed Trimatic for a T700 4 speed auto from a VN/VP commodore, aswell as changing the diff ratio from 4.11/1 to 3.5/1. Buy my calculations this should bring the cruising RPM down from 3000rpm@90kph, to 2000rpm@ 101kph.
Option 2) Put a V8 in it... either an injected 304 or 5.7 LS1 with similar mods to the Blue 6cyl (Heads and cam), and mated to the afore mentioned 4 speed auto.
Both options have their advantages and disadvantages.....
The Holden Blue 6cyl is a simple, basic and reliable proven engine. No real mods needed to fit it in. Conversion kits are readily available to bolt the 4 speed auto on the back of it.
But she is still only a 6cyl and in stock trim is making approx 83kw @ 4000rpm, and 231nm@2400rpm. Not sure what we would get after it has been massaged.
And depending on who you talk to the 6cyl is better on fuel, however some reckon that the 8's are better because they aren't working as hard.
The V8 option will defiantly have more power... but shoe horning one in has it's detraction's, and then there is the whole EFI thing..In my experience, mechanical has always been more reliable... KISS principle (Keep It Simple Stupid
).... water crossings are not uncommon on the rally. Not to mention the dust and vibrations on the back roads of the middle of no-where.
Also should they be required, parts for an old Holden 6 are a little easier to come by.
So basically what I after, is some Advice, Tips and your experiences playing with these little beauties.
Cheers Jon
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