MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Yes or No....

Can anyone give me a yes or no answer to the question....

"Can I run my original V8 on unleaded petrol"?
Richard Saunders@symantec.com

Richard,
According to some well placed sources and correspondence with Rover Group, it seems that the Rover 3.5L V-8 was equipped with hardened valve seats in the early 1970s.

This means that all Factory V-8s had hardened seats, therefore were compatible with unleaded fuel and should not suffer from valve seat recession.

The more critical question is will the car run on the 92-octane, MTBE and alcohol laden rotgut fuel we have to put up with here in California. My tired old engine didn't seem to have a problem, but how will my newly rebuilt, 9.75:1 compression engine do? Who knows?

Cheers,
Paul Kile
A lonely Factory V-8 in the wilds of Fornicalia
Paul Kile

YES
david.smith@stones.com

To back up what PaulK says, all research indicates that the materials used for valves, seats and guides of MGB GT V8 engines is exactly the same as is used on later, unleaded, engines. However, Rover will never say that the engine can use unleaded, simply because they never tested it on unleaded. The answer is, however, a resounding 'YES'.

PaulH.
Paul Hunt

HELL YES!
BobP

Just to add to that, both my V8s and the Maestro (which I refrofitted
with a leaded ECU!),are runnimg fine on BLEIFREI.
BOBP

The original 8.25 to 1 compression engine was tuned to run on UK 94RON fuel so not only was it unleaded compatible, but also needs no alteration of ignition setting unless the fuel octane rating equates to less than UK spec 94RON petrol.

BTW October 1970 was when V8 engine production at Acocks Green introduced hardened valve seats etc.

Rog
Roger Parker Tamworth roger.parker@virgin.net

I have run my standard factory V8 on unleaded for the past 8 years without any problems. The engine has now done over 140.000 miles. I do use fully synthetic engine oil and change it at regular (6 to 8000 mile) intervals. Go for it!
murray@mgnut.freeserve.co.uk Tavistock

This thread was discussed between 29/09/1999 and 03/10/1999

MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical BBS now