AEC Mandator V8. LVL 164H. Part one. Road scenes before restoration, Contains garage language.

I wouldn't normally show myself getting things wrong, but the demand to me for AEC V8 material, has to out way my own reputation.
Filmed in October 2000, and on the 'Fish and Chip' run, organised by Johnny Bryan, From the Limes transport Cafe, Billsthorpe, Notts; to Chapel St leonards, Skegness.
We were using it in as bought state, and it was still fitted with the original AEC six speed gearbox, which I couldn't get on with, the ratio's were just to far apart for an engine like the V8, we later changed it for a nine speed road-ranger box, that dramatically improved performance and drive-ability.
There is also some footage of Westfield Transport's old depot, who's livery was recreated on this vehicle, as they used to run a Mandator V8 (AMH 508H) and I rode in as a kid.

[@deanstanley5799]

Jesus couldn’t imagine doing a long haul in that my ears would have exploded by the end 😂

[@travelalong2034]

Brought back some memorys, my old man had an l reg buffalo when i a kid, loved sitting on the bonnet going over woodhead sliding from side to side, the good old days.

[@paulthomas3841]

Double clutch her the gear box loves that, I use to watch my Dad drive that Layland

[@kevinwhelan8126]

I still reckon these were the nicest trucks ever built.

[@rockingphil58]

Loved it great video the AEC Mandator were real wagons I loved the sound of that V8 it was a sad day when they announced the end of the AEC IN 76

[@nigelbranthwaite8471]

Enjoyed the ride ThAnk you

[@jeffb9903]

that engine sounds great.

[@michaelguerin56]

Good video. Thank you. AEC buses gave long service in New Zealand. The trucks appear to have been thinner on the ground. The deep window on that cab resulted in a smaller radiator which destroyed Leyland’s reliability, reputation and market in Australia. It would have had an adverse impact on other markets and with every other brand which used that cab. I know this because it came up in a recent episode of the Aussie programme Classic Restos. The subject of that episode was a family owned truck sales and service company in rural Australia. They built a thriving business by concentrating on Leyland trucks but when styling-obsessed idiots destroyed the Leyland truck brand they had to go elsewhere. If memory serves correctly they changed to either Kenworth or Mack.

[@rayshaw8891]

Wow that video bought it all rolling back, I started work at AEC Nottingham in 1970. The last v8 I worked on was at Clapton dewandere Lincoln. Thank you lads

[@SMayleification]

+Ray Shaw This was the Clayton Dewandre test vehicle, met it's original driver at Lincoln steam rally a few years ago. Do you remember Mick Cook from Beechdale Road .

[@v6200man]

Had a ride round Brayford Pool in that with Lincoln Ferrous Metals years back - beast

[@martinburke362]

AEC V8s Best truck engine's ever made for about 80,000 miles then 💥

[@johnhealy8513]

Bring back AEC and some fabulous british trucks and fire engines. The same goes for Foden.

[@adwest68]

I like AEC!

[@georgeventham4834]

love the footage reminds me back when i used to go to work with dad on bowaters at northfleet kent. had some good runs in the new mandators then also the 8 wheelers .

[@lstapley]

Love the mayle shuffle Steve

[@glenford3839]

Brilliant 👍

[@SMayleification]

Well Rich, it could be, as there's not many teeth left on it now ! Ha-ha. Give me a 'Roadranger' any day.

[@patrickdakin8338]

I used to drive a mandatory we called them motorway litter

[@jamesfrench7299]

Damn shame the boys in Lancashire didn't allow AEC to spend more time developing the motor properly. It sounds like it had real potential and would have outlasted the TL12 in production if it had been made durable.

[@SMayleification]

The internal politics within BL make fascinating reading, a real time of change in the motor industry and they couldn't have got it more wrong if they had tried. The TL12 is an exceptional engine that was a development from the 760 and that in turn from the 690, a natural development, the V8 was altogether a whole new thing. I've just rebuild another V8 and it sound fantastic, it could have been so different if they had given it the development time it needed. Have a listen to this- [www.flickr.com/photos/75262259@N03/32861368945/]

[@jamesfrench7299]

SMayleification thanks for that link but video wouldn't work. I would love to hear it after you worked your magic hands on it!

[@SMayleification]

There is a problem with the link, try this one. [www.flickr.com/photos/75262259@N03/32861368945/in/photostream/]

[@geoffbuck6865]

SMayleification :: I seem to remember that the bore size of the V8 led to charge cooling and problems with ignition control. Attempts at increasing compression ratio to improve ignition led to head cracking which couldn't be resolved and the engine had to be cancelled. It was a long time ago so I can't vouch for my memory!!!

[@alexandermccann-vj4lg]

JandE transport dundee owned one powerful good to drive but overheating engine was the biggest problem the ended up selling it for a normal mandator to many breakdowns

[@Middlesbrough250]

Look fun to drive a lorry, than a car.

[@fortniteinreallifeepic4497]

They say there's many a tune played on an old fiddle , and you're no different . Ha ha ! (Sorry)

[@boysnips]

Sounding like she should

[@richardparrott1195]

Very sad, those ergo cabs had engines from 120 hp up to 265 hp Same radiator,, and they wondered why it over heated ,,

[@SMayleification]

The V8 had a low-slung crossflow rad fitted, but still not up to the job.

[@eddkennedy6458]

@@SMayleification The engine itself was not up to the job.

[@elenalevi418]

J Reg Mandator with a Big Tom on the back . MMB .

[@Mr_b_yorkshire_farmer]

is that a Synchro box on that steve? haha. I tend to crash them a little when dad is in the cab with me.

[@carlnapp8673]

The lorries with British engines, haven't they got engine brakes? At least the exhaust brakes, as they are mandated in Europe? Was there a bet on, who might get the most "grindings"? :)

[@SMayleification]

+Carl Napp Exhaust brakes were available on very few engines from the 1950's, but never seemed essential over here (no real mountain ranges) and with speed limits ridiculously low, like 20mph until the late 1950's they never were necessary or a legal requirement. But in my opinion there is only one engine brake that is worth fitting, and that's the Jacobs engine brake '(Jake brake)' a very effective piece of kit, but they do need pushrod actuated injectors like on the Cummins or Detroit's, I have one on my Cummins powered Foden. As for the grinding of gears, I think I win that one ! Give me a 'Fuller Road-ranger' any day.

[@carlnapp8673]

SMayleification I only once drove a lorry fitted with an RTO, a MAN 19.361, it was a pleasure though I feel uncomfortably on forward-control lorries. About grinding, no offence intended, not at all! From what I know even the experienced driver has to face some grindings once in a while. Sometimes it even comes in handy, in my case it indiquates operator fatique. In the late fifties, there was a limit to about 35 kph in Britain, that was not much better than the red-flag act. Now I know how an 8-wheeler could get along with a Gardner 6 LW. Under these circumstances, it wasn't easy to create challenging lorries, I suppose.

[@SMayleification]

+Carl Napp No offence taken on the gear grinding Carl, I am the first to hold my hand up when I get it wrong. Legislation in Britain has always been against the lorry, but in favour of the railways, it has crippled progress in road transport from day 1, and it's no different today, not only do we have our own rules and regulations but now we have all those directed from Brussels as well.

[@carlnapp8673]

SMayleification That folks from Brussels will make us roling our eyes more as we dare to think of. Britain will be asked and if the Britons look at us, how a prospering, working state is clobbered in favour of something that none realy wants or understands, they are going to vote in their own favour. None ever asked us! Sometimes I think Mrs Thatcher came in handy today. I run a small grinding company ( not gears,lol, only sometimes) but screw threads external and internal, worm shafts and round grinding. (We even got an internal threat grinder from Matrix Ltd, Coventry.) One works almost 365 days every year and one wonders about all the money that is taken from one's pocket. We don't need that mysterious EU, but they need us and they want you to be another cow to be milked. You ought to be on your guard, the milking-stools already are prepared. You will pay them back double and triple. It's like after a World War, he who lost not only pays for the damage, he pays for every thing even in the future, better still for all times! Therefore I'm glad to have got my classic lorries and bikes to escape from this rubbish, sometimes at least. regards

[@SMayleification]

+Carl Napp EU, don't get me started on that ! Ha-ha. On a lighter note, Matrix Ltd; formally the Coventry Gauge & Tool Co built ball screw grinding machines, which is probably the sort of machine you have. I have several photos of my AEC lorry transporting the then largest machine of this type in the world, en-route to Beaver Precision Products, Michigan USA back in the late 1960's, who now interestingly build ball-screw grinders today.

[@woodthorpe100]

I drove a V8 in 1973 it had a splitter gearbox would do 70mph!

[@SMayleification]

I assume that would be in the Southern Hemephe then. Most V8's hear in the UK had the straight 6-speed box, some even had the 5-speed fitted. I am doing a V8 at the minute that has a 10-speed splitter fitted, it has come from New Zealand.

[@woodthorpe100]

No it was in England owned by Ferrymasters

[@SMayleification]

There is one in the records for 'Ferrymasters' it being reg number BBJ 297H, new on the 19/5/1969 and it was fitted with a ten-speed splitter box. chassis number VTG4R7 349. Some motor back in the day.

[@woodthorpe100]

That sounds about right.I find it amazing that these details are still recorded. The fact that theses engines weren't governed and could be over-reved in t he wrong hands lead to a lot oh their troubles

[@rayshaw8891]

That's Clayton dewandere

[@abdielgonzalez2180]

Especificaciones de ese motor V8 ??

[@SMayleification]

12.1 litre (740 cubic inches (imperial). 247bhp (imperial). 2,600rpm. Manufacturer AEC. 1968 to 1970, number built 360 for road transport. 12,1 litros (740 pulgadas cúbicas (imperial). 247bhp (imperial). 2.600 rpm. Fabricante AEC. 1968 a 1970, número 360 construido para transporte por carretera.

[@gr9905]

V8? What is it engine?

[@SMayleification]

AEC's own V8.