 |
Overdrive
cycling in and out issues
Jim Livingstone had some issues with the overdrive cycling
in and out of engagement and in May 2025 traced them to
a low oil level in the gearbox caused by a leakage. On
revisiting the problem Jim discovered that adjustment
of the inhibitor switch has proved a more long lasting
solution. Both of Jim's notes are available together with
a note explaning how the overdrive works. More
250715 |
 |
Windscreen
wiper arms and blades
Articles covering this topic. 221201
More |
 |
Battery
maintenance
Articles covering what are the popular battery conditioners,
members' experience with conditioners, wall mounting options,
prudent safety measures with electrical devices on a classic
car during a lay-up, and care needed when using a traditional
battery charger. More
21220
|
 |
Dunlop
composite wheels for the MGBGTV8
The Factory MGBGTV8 was produced with a composite wheel
- a chromed steel rim fixed to an alloy centre with distinctive
features. The joint between the steel and alloy parts
is prone to rust and serious corrosion can become a problem.
Until a few years a go a full refurbishing service was
available from a specialist MWS but sadly they ceased
offering the service. See articles on these wheels and
the current situation and options for V8 enthusiasts.
More
180625 |
 |
Ethanol
fuels & replacement fuel hoses
The fire risk associated with the deterioration of fuel
hoses with a report that "classic car owners are
being urged to check the condition of the fuel lines as
an increasing number of cars are being affected by ethanol
degradation of the rubber. 180523
More |
 |
Motor
insurance renewals
Fellow members are noticing their motor insurance
renewal premiums are rising and in most cases by a substantial
amount. Why is the happening, who are the targets for
insurers and what can policyholders do to get an insurance
renewal at a lower rate. See our NEWS items. More
171228 |
|
|
Replacement
Vitesse Mazda gearbox for MGBGTV8s
News of the availability of the Vitesse Mazda gearbox
as a replacement for the MGBGTV8 was seen in early 2017.
An article with information was released promptly. 170202
More |
 |
RV8
hardtops
Many RV8 enthusiasts would like to get an original
hardtop for their car but they are rare.
Recently a "spares wanted" advertiser on the
V8 website found and purchased one. See our information
on hardtops. 160825
More |
 |
Lower
RV8 seats
A frequent difficulty drivers who are tall in the
body encounter in an RV8 is their line of sight can be
close to the top of the windscreen and sun visor, so a
driver will tend to adopt a crouched driving style. What
can be done? 151203
More |
 |
Antiroll
bar drop links on the front suspension
Recently there have been some failures of the front antiroll
drop links. See our articles on checking and maintaining
the drop links. 151110
More |
 |
Dash
cams and GPS trackers for an MGV8
See our reviews of dash cams and the CHIPnTRAV GPS tracker
plus fitting and installation guides.. 150718
More |
 |
MGBGTV8
engine mountings
Engine mountings have been a topic in the V8NOTES series
since 1979 so we have an article that brings together
all the V8NOTES in the whole series.
See our gateway on
MGBGTV8 engine mountings |
 |
What
is happening after the end of paper tax discs in the UK?
Paper tax discs ended in October 2014 but since then there
have been many difficulties. Here are links to our NEWS
items. 151120 More |
 |
News
on MGV8 prices
Although MGV8 enthusiasts have bought and owned their
cars for the understated power and sheer pleasure they
get in driving these cars as an affordable classic car,
price trends are always interesting.
See our gateway on MGV8
auction and price news |
 |
Radar
cameras and devices that provide information on camera
location
Legislation came in with the Road Safety Act 2006 but
the relevant section covering radar detectors has not
yet been commenced so is not yet in force and perhaps
never will be. Detectors alert drivers to speed limits.
See our radar cameras
and detectors gateway |
 |
RV8
hoods - caring, maintaining and replacing them
Taking care of your hood and the zipped rear window
will help extend the life of your hood. It's a topic often
raised by RV8 enthusiasts.
See our RV8 hood and
rear screen gateway |
 |
Reimporting
an RV8 to the UK
It's a complex process most private buyers will prefer
to leave to experts with local knowledge and contacts
in Japan and experience of the reimport and registration
procedures in the UK but what is involved?
See our RV8 reimporting
guide gateway |
 |
VED:
Historic Vehicle exemption extension
The 12 month extension of the Historic Vehicle VED exemption
cut-off date in the Budget 2013 was welcome news but does
your MGBGTV8 qualify?
See our Historic Vehicle
VED exemption gateway |
 |
SU
needles selection & rolling road tests for an MGBGTV8
Selecting alternative needles for an MGBGTV8, power testing
and fitting K&N air filters.
See our SU needles
and rolling road gateway |
 |
Exhaust
systems and related matters with MGV8s
Whether you are doing a routine exhaust system replacement
or have met other issues or are considering a modified
system.
See our exhaust
systems gateway |
 |
Rechipping
an RV8 engine
Rechipping an RV8 engine is a topic which has regularly
come up on the V8BB and in the RV8 Workshop Notes series.
See our RV8 rechipping
gateway |
 |
Taxation
and UK Budget reports for classic car motoring enthusiasts
Fuel and vehicle taxation news is always of interest to
classic car enthusiasts and the general motorist. Links
to our reports and news.
See our taxation
and Budget reports gateway |
 |
MGB
bonnet lock and safety catch
Reports of the safety catch failing with the bonnet lifting
in the airstream and blowing back over the windscreen.
Two protective modifications.
See our bonnet
lock and safety catch gateway |
 |
Overheating
& cooling concerns for MGBGTV8s & RV8s
Reliable cooling is essential and it has been a particular
area of concern for many years and regularly discussed
on the V8 Bulletin Board.
See our overheating
& cooling concerns gateway |
 |
Replacement
cooling hoses for MGBGTV8s and RV8s
Reliable cooling is essential and failures of cooling
hoses can be a serious matter. See some useful information
available on the V8 website.
See our
replacement cooling hose gateway |
 |
Antifreeze
coolants and their use in V8 engines
Concerns over the effects new types of antifreeze have
on older engines have been raised by the historic car
movement.
See our antifreeze coolants
gateway |
 |
MOT
testing for MGV8s articles and NEWS
The DfT consultation over the possible relaxation
of MOT test requirements for classic
cars raised views from interested parties for and against.
See our MOT testing gateway |
 |
Upgrading
headlights on an MGBGTV8 to a reflector/lens units with
halogen bulbs
This
popular upgrade transforms the headlighting and the sense
of improved safety is reassuring.
See our V8 headlamp
upgrade gateway |
 |
Servo
failure risks with an MGBGTV8
Reports
of servos swallowing brake fluid rapidly and leaving the
driver with no brakes are spine chilling. Get a servo
check, better still replaced.
See our V8 servo
caution gateway |
 |
Suspension
upgrades and settings for an RV8
Fitting a Hoyle IRS upgrade kit and other suspension modifications
are topics often raised by V8 enthusiasts, particularly
with RV8s.
See
our RV8 suspension upgrades gateway |
 |
Windstoppers
for an MGV8
The backwash over an open MGV8 can be a tiresome feature
but several windstopper installations can reduce the effect
and improve comfort.
See our windstopper
gateway |
 |
Power
steering options for an MGV8
Fitting power steering to an MGBGTV8 or RV8 is a topic
often raised by V8 enthusiasts so here we have a "gateway
webpage" to the useful information on the V8 website.
See our PAS/EPAS gateway |
 |
Electronic
distributor options for the MGBGTV8
Fitting an after-market electronic ignition system is
a useful upgrade which can avoid regular maintenance of
the points and risks with poor quality replacement ignition
parts.
See our distributor gateway |
 |
Pertronix
electronic ignition upgrade
Our gateway brings together all the useful material on
this popular upgrade including the answers to a number
of queries and a reminder of a modification needed to
the adjuster.
See our Pertronix gateway |
 |
Buying
an MGV8? - then see our guide
Our guide is packed with tips on how to research the models,
how to check a car offered for sale, negotiate a deal,
make a safe payment and check you have all the documents.
See our MGV8 buying guide |
 |
Refurbishing
RV8 wheels
It's a topic raised by members frequently so our information
gateway has links to many items on refurbishing wheels
and members' reports on how their wheels were refurbsihed
by various specialists.
See our RV8
wheels refurbishment gateway |
 |
Replacing
tyres on an MGV8
Replacement tyres are a regular topic so here we have
a "gateway webpage" to the useful information
on the V8 website.
See our replacement tyres gateway |
 |
Checking
VED/SORN, insurance & MOT status online
Useful links to GOV.UK & MID online vehicle enquiry,insurance,
MOT and tax & SORN services Beware 5 day insurance
database update risk.
See our online vehicle
data checks gateway |
 |
Continuous
insurance requirements
Classic car owners could easily trip up by forgetting
their insurance renewal needs attending to when their
car is garaged but not on a SORN.
See our CIE gateway |
 |
Biofuel
issues and concerns with classic MGs
Since the introduction of ethanol in motor fuels in the
UK and overseas there have been concerns over the effects
of biofuel on older cars, particularly classic cars.
See our biofuels gateway |
 |
12
volt battery conversions
A series of useful V8NOTES contributed by members of the
V8 Register sets out ways of improving the power and reliability
of the batteries fitted to an MGBGTV8 .
See our battery conversion gateway |
 |
Laying
up a classic car in Winter - concerns and tips
How to lay up and store an MGV8 and some of the issues
to bear in mind plus a review of the options for protecting
the car when you take the car off the road and put it
into store.
See our lay-up gateway |
 |
Road
tax rules - SORN - motor insurance
Take care with road tax, SORN and motor insurance matters
- see our index to a series of news items on our website
highlighting where you need to take care.
See our road tax/SORN/insurance gateway |
