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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - V8 Queries

Hi all - I have just purchased a '76 BGT that has been converted to Rover V8. Its been very well done but I have a few questions that I thought this board could help with.
1) The car has a Rover SD1 five speed box - what is the best sort of oil to use in these boxes?
2) What is normal oil pressure for a Rover V8 - its running 35-40psi hot and 15psi at idle.

Any advice appreciated!
Mike

Mike

Your oil pressure is correct for the Rover/Buick 3.5 litre V8 engine - it uses a HIGH FLOW/LOW PRESSURE system.

Can't answer your SD1 gearbox oil question - if no-one posts with the answer try the V8 register - www.v8register.net

Laurie Webb
75 factory BGT V8 Teal Blue
L Webb

In your part of the world, I would recommend the Toyota Supra box. Dellow Engineering makes a bell housing to make the swap work. Don't know where in Oz they are located, but I am sure someone else on the list can help.

Check in with Adrian Ackhurst for local info & help

mgadel@senet.com.au
Jim Stuart

Mike,

The recomended oil in the UK was ATF (auto transmission fluid). I switched over to a synthetic gear oil a couple of years ago, and found the change when the box was cold much improved.

Don't forget that this box has a pump in it, so if the car ever has to be towed, keep the speed down or you will wreck it !!

I've still got some spare oil in the garage, I can check it if you like.

Mike
Michael barnfather

Mike (B) - why did you change from ATF ?

Mike - in Auckland - the engine should run at a steady 42 psi under load - guage error might account for the low reading but it might be little on the low side - also at idle. The best advice is to change the oil regularly at 3000m intervals - a high detergent but cheap all mineral 20-50 will keep the internals clean and well lubricated.

Good choice of car - fill the bodywork up with wax during the Summer and it will last for many years !

Roger
RMW

Roger,

I spoke to a guy locally who had done a lot of rallying in cars with LDV boxes, and he reckoned the change was smoother, I gather TVR used synthetics in their LDV boxes before they changed to the 380 box.

Mike
Michael barnfather

Dellow is in Daisy street Reevsby, Sydney. The supras a better box (lighter, stronger, smoother, smaller, cheaper) but of course only realy worth the change if you needed to replace the rover box for some reason. You'd need to change the rear mount, tail shaft etc.
Reco' box plus bellhousing and bits less than $2000.
Peter

This thread was discussed between 02/11/2004 and 05/11/2004

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