V8
technical specification and data
Engine
| Engine
type |
Rover
3.5 litre V8 |
| Location
& drive |
In-line
front with rear wheel drive |
| Capacity |
3,528cc |
| Number
of cylinders |
8 |
| Layout |
90
degree Vee in two banks |
| Bore |
3.50
in (88.90 mm) |
| Stroke |
2.80
in (71.12 mm) |
| Compression
ratio |
8.26
: 1 |
| Firing
order |
1,
8, 4, 3, 6, 5, 7 , 2 |
| Cylinder
numbering |
|
| ..left
bank |
1,
3, 5, 7 |
| ..right
bank |
2,
4, 6, 8 |
| Idle
speed |
800
to 850 rpm |
| Fast
idle speed |
1,400
to 1,500 rpm |
| Oil
pressure - normal |
30
to 40 lb/sq in (2.0 to 2.8 kg/sq cm) |
| Cylinder
head |
Aluminium
alloy |
| Cylinder
block |
Aluminium
alloy |
| Valve
gear |
Single
cam with two valves per cylinder |
| Maximum
power output |
137
bhp at 5,000 rpm |
| Maximum
torque |
193
lb.ft at 2,900 rpm |
Ignition
| Ignition
|
Lucas
distributor |
| Timing
at 1,000 rpm |
8
degrees BTDC |
| Timing
marks |
On
the crankshaft pulley pointer attached to the front of the cylinder
block |
| Dwell
angle |
28
degrees |
| Contact
breaker gap |
0.014
to 0.016 in (0.35 to 0.40 mm) |
| Spark
plug type |
Champion
L-92Y now NGK 4111 BP5HS |
| Spark
plug gap |
0.035
in (0.90 mm) |
Fuel system
| Fuel
system |
Twin
SU HIF6 carburettors |
| Recommended
octane rating |
94
RON minimum |
| Carburettor
needle |
BBU |
| Carburettor
spring colour |
Yellow |
| Fuel
pump |
SU
type AUF305 electric |
Electrical
| Circuit
polarity |
Negative
earth |
| Voltage |
12
volt |
| Batteries |
Twin
6 volt, later one 12 volt |
| Capacity
(20 hour rated) |
67
amp hour |
| Fuses |
35
amp (blow rating) |
Transmission
| Gearbox,
manual |
Four
speed, all synchromesh gearbox with reverse. Laycock overdrive
on third
and fourth gears on the early cars and on fourth only on cars
from around Car No. GD2D1 1400 |
| First |
3.138
: 1 |
| Second |
1.974
: 1 |
| Third |
1.259
: 1 |
| Fourth |
1
: 1 |
| Overdrive |
0.82
: 1 |
| Fourth
gear speed per 1,000 rpm |
23.0
mph (37 kph) |
| Overdrive
top speed per 1,000 rpm |
28.5
mph (45 kph) |
Steering
Rack and pinion with collapsible steering column. Turning circle 34
ft (10.36 m) left lock and 33 ft 1 in (10.1 m) right lock.
Front suspension
Independent with coil springs and lower wishbone mounted on a
crossmember assembly. Lever arm shock absorbers with double levers
carrying the top end of the swivel pin. Anti-roll bar.
Rear suspension
Tube type live axle with three quarter floating drive shafts. Semi-
elliptic multi-leaf springs. Lever type shock absorbers.
Brakes
Front: 10.7 in (272 mm) diameter solid discs. Rear: 20 in (254 mm)
diameter drums. Servo assisted hydraulic.
Wheels and tyres
| Wheel
size |
5J
x 14 |
| Wheel
nut tightness |
60
lbf.ft (8 kgf.m, 81 Nm) |
| Tyres
size |
175HR
x 14 |
| Tyre
type |
Radial
ply |
Vehicle dimensions
| Overall
length |
Chrome:
154.75 in (3,931 mm)
Rubber: 158.25 in (4,020 mm) |
| Overall
width |
59.94
in (152.3 cm) |
| Overall
height |
49.97
in (126.9 cm) |
| Ground
clearance |
4.25
in (108.0 mm) minimum |
| Track
front |
49.0
in (124.4 cm) |
| Track
rear |
49.25
in (125 cm) |
| Wheel
base |
91.125
in (231.5 cm) |
Capacities
| Fuel
tank |
12
gallons (54 litres) |
Engine
and oil cooler, refill with filter change. Filter 0.5 pint
(0.28 litres) |
8
pints (4.54 litres) |
| Gearbox
and overdrive |
6
pints (3.4 litres) |
| Rear
axle |
1.5
pints (0.85 litres) |
| Cooling
system with heater |
16
pints (9.08 litres) |
| Windscreen
washer bottle |
3
pints (1.71 litres) |
Source: MGBGTV8
Driver's Handbook AKD8423 published by Leyland Cars 1976
|
MGBGTV8
Profile
This note is part of the Classic Power Profiles from the
V8 Register - the leading specialist group for MGV8 enthusiasts.
The V8 Register is part of the MG Car Club.
Banner photo: one of the BL Publicity photos produced for the launch
of the MGBGTV8
V8
restoration references
Guide
|
