Stopping the Beast (MGB 1800)

Does your lovely NG with its new unleaded engine conversion shake and judder, even trying and succeeding to run backwards for a few revolutions when you turn it off? Have you tried every combination of ignition setting, mixture strength, plug grades and anything else you can think of including anti run-on valves all to no avail? Have you considered selling your little toy, including all the associated bits and pieces for what you can get and putting the money into a hot hatch turbo diesel that is at least expected to shake and rattle? A year ago that was the situation I was in. I have since bought the turbo-D, very good with no shake and only a little rattle, but for the cost of a phone call have returned to NG pleasure. I am sure everyone else knows this, but for those of you that don’t here is my little bit of common knowledge kindly given to me by the MGB Hive during a desperation phone call for advice.

1. Use Shell Optimax fuel (expensive)
2. Set the tick over as low as possible (I always did)
3. Now the important bit. When turning off the ignition, wait a moment for the engine to start to stop and then floor the accelerator pedal.

The engine will stop cleanly with only a rattle from the carburettor dash pots. IT WORKS FOR ME!! When using Optimax the engine will often stop cleanly without pressing down the pedal but not always, so it is best to get into the habit of pressing every time. Using 95 grade fuel makes very little difference to the general running but it will always stop badly unless the pedal is pressed. So my advice is to always press and save a few pence a litre using 95.

Richard Bailey richarddbailey@tiscali.co.uk

Gentlemen,

This has come via Denzil Brunning of Status. Rather than trying to paraphrase what he said, here it is verbatim:

"DVLA have just come back to me.

It seems as though the vehicle owner should take the V5, any receipts he may have, and several MOT's dated prior to 1998 to his local DVLA office.

They will then update the vehicle record without SVA and will retain the registration number.

It is important that the MOT's clearly identify the vehicle as a kit (NG presumably) so that the office can see that the converted vehicle was actually used prior to the introduction of SVA. They said that the "use" issue is important - receipts for a kit bought before 1998 will not be accepted.

Apparently the local offices have been doing this for some time; a circular was sent to them to re-affirm the official policy recently.

Unfortunately it looks like a "discussion" is taking place between DVLA and VOSA to decide whether this can continue. VOSA think that the cars should be subject to SVA, DVLA think it is unfair to retrospectively apply SVA.

It is possible that VOSA will win the argument, so it is important that your customer moves quickly.

DVLA have said they will inform us if their policy changes; they have also offered to help if your customer experiences difficulties."

So the message is that if anyone has a fistful of old MOT certificates dating prior to the SVA date of 1998 and these do actually identify that the car tested was an NG - as opposed to the donor car in its original state - the DVLA will up-date the registration document to show that the car is an NG.

This is very significant for those people who have had their cars a good long time as it will avoid the need for the SVA test.

My customer in question has a plate in his car saying "Built by Martin Motors in 1988". This seems to be acceptable alternative proof. This is not going to be a universal panacea. For instance we have three cars here which we have bought in. There is no way that I can prove that they were on the road prior to 1998 as NGs so I will have to put them through SVA.

I am sure that there will be significant numbers of NGs out there to which this applies, because they have been around for so long. Please spread the word, as it seems that this may be a last chance. Chris, please put something in the next ChangiNGear. Bob, please could you ask your successor to put something on the owners club web site. We will do likewise. Mon, please.

I hope you have a great weekend. I am sure that Monica would wish you the same - she has gone to Iceland for the w/e, having missed out on a previous occasion to go the Exeter Show - great devotion to duty!!

Best Wishes

Nigel

Findhorn Cars Ltd suppliers of NG Cars