I should know better at my age

[David Kemp]

I am currently 800klms from my Bradford & need to know the total length of a Bradfords steering column & box.
Can someone please measure yours so I can compare to a wreck I have found.

[Jeremy]

I have just measured the spare column and box in my loft - the distance from the top to the steering box mounting hole is 51 inches (just under 1.3m). Overall length including the whole steering box is 54 inches (1.37m). Hope this is helpful

[David Kemp]

Thank you. That was a big help.
The wreck i fiund unfortunately has the steering work in reverse to the Bradford.
Unless I can find new parts it looks like a VW conversion is the answer.

[David Kemp]

I found these filters almost fit a Bradford . the narrow one is slightly too tall.
The wide one fits nice however it does not fit with the housing on.

[David Kemp]

My Bradfords original papers give it a carrying capacity of 10 cwt.
There has been an ongoing discussion between Bradford owners of the difference between 8cwt & 10cwt cars.
The parts catalouge lists springs based on cwt but not what is different.
My car has 7 leaves on the back & 5 on the front.
As they have been rebuilt in the past is does not mean it still a 10cwt .
Can people please count their cars leaves to solve the mystery. My quess is the passenger cars would have a softer ride.

[Jeremy]

I don't know the answer to this, but on other cars the spring rate is not just dependent on the number of leaves but their thickness and the curve set on the spring. When I needed new front springs for my Bradford I went to Jones Springs (https://www.jones-springs.co.uk/vintage-car-springs) who have all the specifications for Jowett Bradford springs and they would be able to give you the full details I'm sure - perhaps try sending them an email with the question.

[Tony Fearn]

My guess is the passenger cars would have a softer ride.

Hi David,
I've attached a scribble that I used to take with me to the National autojumble at Beaulieu when I was looking for bits to make my 'Flying Fox'.
Of course this is for the pre-war Jowett 7hp cars.
If I remember correctly the Bradford leaves were thicker than the 1/8" of the passenger cars, and the peg bolt was not central.
Tony.

[StevenGray]

My Bradfords original papers give it a carrying capacity of 10 cwt.
There has been an ongoing discussion between Bradford owners of the difference between 8cwt & 10cwt cars.
The parts catalouge lists springs based on cwt but not what is different.
My car has 7 leaves on the back & 5 on the front.
As they have been rebuilt in the past is does not mean it still a 10cwt .
Can people please count their cars leaves to solve the mystery. My quess is the passenger cars would have a softer ride.

The 10cwt spring has 7 leaves and the locating pin is central as per the image, this one came off a CC van and I can be fairly certain that it was original, My CB has the same layout of spring and was also rated at 10 cwt

[David Kemp]

Thanks for that, I contacted Jones Springs who were extremely helpful. They gave me the data for Jowetts going back to 1928, but could not find Bradford springs. From what I can deduce it is only the back springs that vary on a Bradford. Hopefully someone will have an 8cwt Bradford who can count the leaves.

[David Kemp]

When I bought my Bradford the door did not lock.
I pulled it apart and found the lock mechanism beyond repair. Next step was buying the corroded one from the club for spares, however I found a NOS Hillman one on ebay.
Purists & Hillman lovers please understand I just want my car running , if I find a Good Bradford one later I can replace it as no alteration to the Bradford was neccessary.

[David Kemp]

I have removed the front of Gertrude to make the steering modification easier. The grill is missing most of the bolts & those that are there are incorrect.
Can a Bradford guru please give me the details of the correct bolts.
The radiator mounts were also a concern. , with one bolt possibly right and the other a definite ring in.
Can someone please give details of the correct bolts & rubber.
Finally as per photo I am no longer using a VW steering box as I have found the mounting is unsuitable for a Bradford.
What i am using is a Chev Vega box. These are used by hot rodders everywhere & are cheap. One of the Chev mounting holes is also very close to the Bradford regards line up of input & output shafts . i have a fair amount of thinking to do before completion but cant see any major obstacles.

[Jeremy]

I would have thought that the bolts should all be BSF (British Standard Fine) of various lengths and diameters. The most common diameters are 5/16 and 1/4.

The radiator bolts should be top hat like one of the ones you have. This is to stop crushing the rubber but still letting the bolt tighten. The closest rubber parts I have found are MG T series radiator mounts which might be accessible for you.

[StevenGray]

The bolts that you have look to be the correct ones.
There should be a large diameter washer as on the left hand bolt it should be the same Inside diameter as the bolt. (3/8")
Next is a sleeve that fits over the bolt and holds the washer in place so 3/8" Inside diameter and about 5/8" outside diameter.
Next are two rubber washers the same outside diameter as the washer with a 5/8" hole the fit either side of the radiator mounting bracket.
The rubber washers are about 3/16" thick.
The sleeve should be about 1/16" shorter than the two rubber washers and the radiator mounting bracket so that when fitted the rubber washers are compressed slightly and now form a flexible mounting for the radiator.

The bolt on the right is probably the correct one but with the sleeve rusted on so that it appears to be a shoulder bolt, a good tap on the end with the washer supported on vice will probably separate the component parts.

[David Kemp]

When my wheels are pointing straight ahead the pitman arm is pointing towards the drivers side.
My guess is this is the way Jowett had the longest drag link & hence less bump steer. Any thoughts on this?

[David Kemp]