Frequently asked questions

1. How can I get a copy of the workshop notes? More

2. How do I join the V8 Register? More

3. Where can I get spares for my MGBGTV8 or MG RV8? More

4. How can I learn more about the MG RV8? More

5. How can I purchase a reimported MG RV8 and what are the recent trends in RV8 prices? More

6. What about the new MG X80 or MG SV? More

7. Do you welcome MGBV8 Conversions and Costello MGBV8s? More

8. Where can I get information on building an MGBV8 Conversion? More

9. Where can I get technical assistance on MGBV8 Conversions? More

10. D you have an RV8 contact downunder? More

11. Can I fit a 12 volt battery in place of my twin 6 volt units in a
pre 74 MGBGTV8? More

12. When is the next V8 Gathering at Hazeley Heath to be held and how do I find the Shoulder of Mutton? More

13. Can I fit a windstop to an MG RV8 and is there a workshop note describing how it is done? More

14. Recently the front brakes on my MGBGTV8 have developed an annoying screech after a few miles driving which I am fairly certain is coming from the front brakes. Is it a common problem and what can I do to cure it? More

15. When I buy a car battery, what does the current rating of say 480A mean? More

16. I hear 2003 was the 25th Anniversary for the V8 Register - what celebrations have you have? More

17. What is the check I need to make on the advance/retard on a reimported RV8? More

18. I am thinking of getting an RV8 - what information do you have to help me learn more of the car, prices and how to get one? More

19. When did the gearbox change on the RV8 to the later gearbox More

1. How can I get a copy of the workshop notes?
Well there are two series of workshop notes both produced from contributions prepared by members of the V8 Register over the years - a set of V8 Workshop Notes in 7 volumes for the MGBGTV8 and MGBV8 Conversions and a set of RV8 Workshop Notes in five volumes.

V8 Workshop Notes series
The series provides useful maintenance and spares tips for enthusiasts who have Abingdon produced MGBGTV8s or MGBV8 conversions and is based on the notes and tips contributed by members of the V8 Register. The series has been running since 1978 and is in now into a seventh volume. A complete Contents listing of the V8 Workshop Notes series is available which sets out the title, author and a brief summary of each Note in the series. Several of the Notes are available online - just click on the links in the V8 Workshop Notes Contents webpage - which will enable new members to get a feel for the type of material in the series. The complete series, including a copy of the current working draft of the latest volume, are now available on CD in Word format. For full details of how to obtain a copy of the CD, just click V8 Workshop Notes CD. The Editor of the V8 Workshop Notes series is Victor Smith who can be contacted by email, fax or mail on the contacts below or by telephone on 0208 392 9434.

Online Index for the V8 Workshop Notes series
An online Index to the whole of the V8 Workshop Notes series has been launched which enables members to search for topics covered by the series. The Index is regularly updated as further notes are added to the current working of the latest volume so by printing off a copy, members will be able to keep the Index in their copy of the V8 Workshop Notes up to date - see the V8 Workshop Notes Index.

RV8 Workshop Notes series
A second series for the MG RV8 was launched in 2000, based on the format of the successful series for the MGBGTV8. A complete Contents listing of the RV8 Workshop Notes series is available which sets out the the title, author and a brief summary of each Note. Several of the Notes are available online - just click on the links in the RV8 Workshop Notes Contents webpage - which will enable new members to get a feel for the type of material in the series. The complete series, including a copy of the current working draft of the latest volume, are now available on CD in Word format. For full details of how to obtain a copy of the CD, just click RV8 Workshop Notes CD. The Coordinating Editor of the RV8 Workshop Notes series is Brian Moyse who can be contacted by telephone on 01483 565885 or the original editor Bryan Ditchman on 0118 932 6346.

Online Index for the RV8 Workshop Notes series
An online Index to the whole of the RV8 Workshop Notes series has been launched which enables members to search for topics covered by the series. The Index is regularly updated as further notes are added to the current working of the latest volume so by printing off a copy, members will be able to keep the Index in their copy of the RV8 Workshop Notes up to date - see the RV8 Workshop Notes Index.

How can I contribute to the two workshop notes series?
Additional maintenance notes and spares tips from members are very welcome as additions to both series. You can provide them either as a posting on the Bulletin Board on this website or by sending them to Victor Smith (the V8 Registrar) at victorsmith((atat))v8register.net or by fax on 0208 392 9673 or by mail to V8 Register, MG Car Club, POP Box 251, Abingdon-on-Thames, Oxfordshire OX14 1FF.



2. How do I join the V8 Register?
It is very straightforward. Just complete the Registration form which you can do online and then press the "Send" button at the bottom of the form. The data on your form is sent to the V8 Registrar by the webhost as an automated email. Alternatively you can print out a copy of the form and fill it in by hand and send it by mail or fax to Victor Smith (see contacts above) who will register you and your V8.

We undertake to hold the personal data you provide in accordance with the requirements and provisions of the Data Protection Act in the UK - you will see we seek your approval for the release of your name, car details and telephone number, but not your address, to fellow members in a V8 Directory which we produce occasionally. If we do not have your approval, our database defaults to "no distribution of data". We fully understand there are members with occupations where the release of their personal data is not desirable or members who simply prefer that their names are not included in such directories.

Membership of the V8 Register is free to members of the MG Car Club so if you are not a member of the Club, joining is very easy indeed - you can join the MG Car Club online or by telephoning the Club Office at Abingdon on 01235 555552. The package of benefits from membership of the MG Car Club represents excellent value for money - you get a monthly colour magazine which has a V8 Column in each issue and three four-page V8 Newsletters a year packed with spares and maintenance tips and articles. The Club also offers special insurance schemes for classic MGV8s through the MG Car Club's insurance specialists.



3. Where can I get spares for my MGBV8 or MG RV8?
The V8 Register maintains a listing of specialists, who have been recommended by V8 Register members, who provide spares and maintenance services for the V8 powered MGs. The listing is known as the V8LIFELINE and is published at the back of each volume of the workshop notes available from Victor Smith - see FAQ 1 above.



4. How can I learn more about the MG RV8?
Probably the most comprehensive review of the MG RV8 was carried in the February/March 2001 issue of MG World. It was a thorough 8 page review. Back issues are available from MG World. Unfortunately this excellent magazine folded in December 2003

.

5. How can I purchase a reimported MG RV8 and what are the recent trends in RV8 prices?
Most of the new members registering MG RV8s have reimported cars. We have several areas of support with buying reimported RV8s.
A profile of the MG RV8 which reviews the model.
Note on Reimporting an RV8
Listing of the UK based RV8 Reimporters based on recommendations from our members.
Recent price trends see a price trends report from Chris Watkins at HS Imports.
We also have an RV8s for sale webpage with brief details of RV8s offered for sale by members and traders.



6. What about the new MG X80 now the MG SV?
We are keen to see this model as soon as it is launched! See our MG X80 profile based on a news report in the August/September 2001 issue of the leading MG magazine, MG World. That news report is reproduced by kind permission of the Editor of MG World. We intend providing the same level of enthusiastic support for the MG X80 as we provide for both the MGBGTV8 and MG RV8 models. See also a recent update on the X80.



7. Do you welcome MGBV8 Conversions and Costello MGBV8s?
Yes - we are very enthusiastic about all MGBV8 Conversions. In fact MGBV8 Conversions are the fastest growing part of the V8 Register membership.



8. Where can I get information on building an MGBV8 Conversion?
Probably one of the best books on this is "How to give your MGB V8 power" by Roger Williams. The book is a complete guide to replacing the standard four cylinder engine in a MGB or MGBGT with a Rover V8 engine. It also includes full information on building a MGBV8 Roadster based on a new Heritage shell. The book is published by Veloce Publishing PLC under the SPEEDPRO SERIES. Copies were selling at £12.95 when we last checked.



9. Where can I get technical assistance on MGBV8 Conversions?
The mgcars website at www.mgcars.org.uk has a section on MGBV8 Conversions and a bulletin board. Our MGBV8 Conversions contact, Roger Parker, remains an active and authoritative source of information who can be contacted via the bulletin board or at roger.a.parker((atat))lineone.net but when contacting him with your queries or requests for help, do remember he, like all of the members of the V8 Register Committee and V8 Team, are volunteers working in their spare time.



10. Do you have RV8 contacts downunder?
Yes we have contacts in both New Zealand and Australia.

New Zealand. John Barnes in Wellington New Zealand has helped a number of RV8 enthusiasts downunder. He has also contributed several RV8 Workshop Notes including one to make more space in the passenger legwell in an RV8 fitted with the air-conditioning system. Australia. An Australian member of the V8 Register, Jim Dolbel, runs an informative website devoted to MG RV8s at www.mgrv8.com which is well worth visiting.



11. Can I fit a 12 volt battery in place of my twin 6 volt units in a pre 74 MGBGTV8?
There are a number of V8 Workshop Notes on this topic:
V8NOTE250 - using a single 12v 065 battery.
V8NOTE329 - fitting a single 12v Exide 063
V8NOTE357 - fitting twin Bosch 12v batteries in parallel
V8NOTE364 - fitting a single 12v Bosch 065.
Plus there a number of postings on this topic on the V8BB.



12. When is the next V8 Gathering at Hazeley to be held and how do I find the Shoulder of Mutton?
For the dates of the next V8 Gathering at the Shoulder of Mutton on Hazeley Heath go to the Rolling V8 Calendar and for a map and directions to help find the pub, click here. Finding the Shoulder of Mutton



13. Can I fit a windstop to an MG RV8 and is there a workshop note describing how it is done?
Yes, we have two useful notes on windstop installations - RV8 Workshop Notes 127 from Ian Cranston and 143 from Al Barnett in Volume 5 of the series. See the listing of the contents of the RV8 Workshop Notes series and the details of availability and price of the volumes.



14. Recently the front brakes on my MGBGTV8 have developed an annoying screech after a few miles driving which I am fairly certain is coming from the front brakes. Is it a common problem and what can I do to cure it?
This problem was experienced by Gordon Hesketh-Jones who sent in a useful note which is now V8 Workshop Notes 215 in Volume 6 of the series. A copy is available on this website - V8NOTE215



15. When I buy a car battery, what does the current rating of say 480A mean?
The value given on the rating plate of the battery is the Cold Starting Performance or Cold Cranking Current. The following definition comes from Varta Batteries' very useful website - "Cold cranking is the discharge current given by the manufacturer. It is emitted by a battery at a temperature of minus 18C with a minimum voltage of Ui = 7.5 volt for a period of 10 seconds, according to EN specifications." Many thanks to Brian Moyse for providing that information. He recommends the Varta website at www.varta.com/eng/navigation/index-knowhow.html



16. I hear 2003 was the 25th Anniversary of the V8 Register - what celebrations did you have?
Yes, the V8 Register was formed in October 1978 and we are planning a series of special events in 2003 to mark the V8 Register's 25th Anniversary. We have decided to focus those special events on the week before the MG Car Club's annual International MG Weekend Meeting at Silverstone to encourage overseas V8 enthusiasts to travel to the UK and join us. The programme of special events will start on the Sunday before the Silverstone weekend with the second annual Don Hayter Talk which will feature David Bishop and John Yea talking on the RV8 concept, development and production which will be held at Sandford-on-Thames, just north of Abingdon. That will be followed by a series visits and events during the week which are being finalised now but on Friday the itinerary will take members to Silverstone for the first day of the Club's three day meeting. On that Friday evening we are planning a V8 Dinner at the BRDC Suite at the Silverstone Circuit in very much the style and spirit of the memorable annual V8 Dinners held over the first 12 years at the Thatched House Hotel in Sulgrave. Further details of the special events during that week are published on the Rolling V8 Calendar.



17. What is the check on the advance/retard I need to make on a reimported RV8?
This is an important check which is covered by RV8 Workshop Notes 60 and 120. A copy of RV8 Workshop Note 120 by Godfrey Dance is available on this website.



18. I am thinking of getting an RV8 - what information do you have to help me learn more of the car, prices and how to get one?
We have a plenty of information to help you:
RV8 profile of what has become a classic sportscar.
Review of the RV8 - one of the most comprehensive reviews of the RV8 was published in the February/March 2001 issue of MG World magazine.
What to pay for an RV8? - a note from Victor Smith setting out the factors influencing RV8 prices.
RV8 price trends - a report by Chris Watkins of HS Imports in June 2002.
RV8 reimports - trends in Japan a report from Colin Shea of Tokyo Auto Trading in Tokyo in August 2002.
Reimporting RV8s from Japan - a reassuring note prepared by Chris Watkins of HS Imports following the BBC Watchdog programme on suspect grey imports of 4x4s from Japan.
RV8 reimporters - a listing of the specialists reimporting and trading RV8s.
RV8s for sale with details of RV8s offered for sale by both members and by specialist reimporters and traders.
RV8 Workshop Notes series available on CD - this link will provide information on the availability and price.
Contents of the RV8 Workshop Notes series - a complete list of the individual notes in the several volumes of workshop notes for the RV8 with a brief summary of each note is available on this website.
A complete Index to the RV8 Workshop Notes series is available on this website which enables you to look up a topic or key word to see if it is covered by a Note in the series.



19. When did the gearbox change on the RV8 to the later gearbox?
The gearbox changed at VIN 0644 from the LT77S to the R380 which is generally regarded as much better gearbox. In fact we have had reports that this RV8 went through an auction in Tokyo on 26th September 2002 and again in early September 2003. Photos are available of Woodcote Green 0644 at Auction.