The July 2007 issue of Safety Fast! will be a major turning point for our Club as we will get back the editorial and production control of the Club magazine following the termination of the seriously expensive publishing arrangements with a commercial motor magazine group. The editorial workload has been taken on by John Day, John James and Andy Knott who are working like beavers on this project and are already producing some very good improvements in the magazine even before the launch. The content is improving and the style is good too which suits a members' motor club.
V8 Column for July 2007
Replacing an RV8 hood
Mike Lane (Oxford Blue 0855) from Andover Hampshire recently had a number of new hoods fitted. Here he highlights a problem - there are two types of hood frame! This is RV8NOTE262 released in May 2007.

First replacement with high hood roof panels with drip positioned well above glass line. (Photo: Mike Lane)

I have had three replacement hoods fitted recently where the hoods, as manufactured to the original pattern using the originally specified materials, did not fit and allowed a great deal of water to enter the cabin. The first replacement with high hood roof panels with drip positioned well above glass line. It appears that there were two types of hood frame originally supplied to Rover, both with the same part number, but both requiring a different hood material pattern to ensure a good fit. I now have a good fit on the third attempt and the details are being compiled for a more comprehensive RV8NOTE that will be available on this website within the next 10 days. So beware if you are thinking about a replacement hood in the near future and I would strongly recommend that anyone contemplating a new hood should wait until the different hood and frame information is released.

Mike Lane followed up his initial note in early June saying "I have been studying other points concerning the poor hood fitting on my car and indeed, I have another problem with it but, hopefully it can be fixed by the supplier. Meanwhile, I have found out that measurements taken diagonally on both sides of the car are different. I visited a pal in Southampton recently to measure his RV8 and he has the same discrepancy. I have also measured his glass to glass dimensions over the hoops and will compare it with mine just as soon as I can get someone to hold the other end of the tape. That check needs to be done to determine which hood frame and hood is required. I am assembling these details so that other RV8 members can complete their own checks but, it is taking a little more time than I expected. I hope to send an addition to my RV8NOTE before long.

RV8 alloy wheel refurbishment tip
Jeff Swann (Woodcote Green 0519) from Leicestershire, describes a useful tip which could avoid damage to the dummy wheel studs on an RV8. This is RV8NOTE261 released in May 2007.

Just a quick tip for anyone contemplating doing their own RV8 alloy wheel refurburbishment. The 30 dummy wheel studs around the alloy wheel are a push fit and as opposed to having a screw thread they have splines on the shafts. Do not attempt to unscrew them as you will probably snap the head off the studs. Do note the original pattern of dummy studs is no longer available. Place the wheel(s) face down on the


ground on a protective surface to avoid damage the wheel, spray a bit of penetrating fluid on them and drive them out with a suitable circular blunt drift. Refitting is just a case of tapping them back in.

Where can I get a V8 speedo repaired?
Bob Grieves (Black 2788) from Kent posted a query on the V8BB in May and a helpful response enabled him to have his speedo serviced and refitted in only 15 days. This is V8NOTE367 issued in June 2007.

Bob's initial plea was "Has anyone got a spare speedo SN5230/11S for an MGBGTV8 that I can borrow or buy whilst I get mine serviced. They want three weeks to turn it around and I need my car running for Borde Hill, Le Mans, and Siverstone?"
Gordon Hesketh-Jones responded "My speedo has had to be rebuilt 3 or 4 times but each time the Tim Kelly our MG specialist has just fitted an MGB speedo to keep me mobile and legal - but of course you then have to measure your speed by the gear lever and rev-counter".

Richard Carrey posted a note suggested Bob should contact John Ostick at JDO Instrument Engrs in Keighley saying "John turned round my busted RV8 speedo in record time. I posted it to him Special Delivery late on a Thursday. He contacted me noon the next day to say that he'd fixed it but that I hadn't sent the nut from the back so he couldn't reassemble it until I'd sent it otherwise he'd have posted it back. I sent the nut that afternoon and he posted it back by lunchtime Saturday. I received the parcel on the Monday morning. The total cost was £42.50 plus my costs for sending the stuff to him. He also offers a faster service for 50% extra though I cannot imagine how since the bulk of the time taken was for transit of the speedo. I cannot recommend him enough! His contacts are:

J D O Instrument Engrs
34 Spring Avenue
KEIGHLEY
West Yorkshire BD21 4UG
www.jdo1.com/page8.html

Bob Grieves responded saying "Thanks for the response to my question; I've called JDO but they are on holiday until the 30th May. In response to Geoff King; the only other number is 960, which is after the SN number, thanks for your offer but if JDO can repair mine in a week, then I should be OK for Le Mans". A posting a week later confirmed all was well: "Excellent service from JDO Instruments, sent it on Monday, came back repaired 1st post Wednesday - it looks like new and is a very professional job. Now fitted, tested and ready for Le Mans. Thanks Richard for the information - highly recommended".