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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Front number plate on RB car

I have seen photos of RB V8's with the front number plate mounted up on the bumper to improve airflow through the oil cooler and lower part of radiator. Can anyone who has done this mod tell me how they fixed the number plate to the front bumper?

L. Webb
L Webb

Laurence,
My licence plate was attached to the front rubberbumper with long stainless steel woodscrews. Nothing fancy or tricky at all. I think they were fitted like this in Birmingham, at British Leylands division for personal export vehicles.

Hope this helps.

Erik
Erik

Thanks Erik

I assumed screws were used through to the armature, just wasn't sure whether the gap between back of the rubber and the front face of the armature was small or large - ie does it need a 15mm or a 100mm selftapper!

This thread is also on MGB General and Charles Ake has provided me with a good tip to avoid drilling through my excellent condition rubber bumper and armature.

As I am a signmaker and have all the necessary equipment and materials, I am also going to look at making up a self adhesive plate to fix directly onto the flattish right hand section of the air dam itself. Need to check various legal requirements first though!

L. Webb
75 GT V8 Teal Blue
L Webb

Laurence,
Sounds if you are back ont track. The screws were about 50mm long. I dont use them anymore since I have hung my licence plate under the bumper.

Erik
Erik

Since the correct brackets screw to the back of the bumper and hang down I wouldn't think it would be too difficult to have longer brackets with reinforcing flanges that hang down, then come forward and turn up so the plate is in front of the bumper instead of below it. My V8 came with a stick on number plate on the valance, but apart from probably being illegal it got tatty and started peeling off anyway. I reverted to a proper plate in the normal position and can't say I noticed any difference. Unless operated under extreme conditions it would only have a marginal effect at low speeds, and no effect when stationary and 'normal' road speeds.
Paul Hunt 1

I've actually mounted the number plate under the 2 holes in the front valance, but angled it, so that it is like an air dam forcing the air up and into the radiator.
Nick Ashmore

Although probably not legal I have always (since new) had the number plate on the front of the bonnet of my B BT V8.

It looks like this:-

http://photos.imageevent.com/anglofrench/mycars/websize/BV8%20Front%20Quarter%202.jpg

I have never had any problems with this with the police, either in the UK or overseas. One stroppy MoT tester pointed out that the separation between the characters was illegal. The spacing was about a quarter of an inch too great, and he made me correct it before giving me a certificate.

Nigel J S Steward

Nigel

I'd also considered putting number plate on the bonnet, but remembered that a few years ago my daughter owned a Mini Cooper with bonnet number plate (probably more upright than yours) but that got failed by an MOT tester "Must be completely vertical and flat" he grunted to us!

Paul

I have read somewhere that the number plate on RB cars reduces airflow through oil cooler and radiator by about 20%and anyway I think it the RB front end looks better with the air dam uncluttered!

L. Webb
L Webb

Hi,

I used double-sided tape secured with two small self-tappers to secure the number plate. The tape held so strongly that the backing started to come off the number plates when I wanted to remove them. The little self tappers (ablut 12 - 15 mm, I think) were more for appearance than function I think.

I really wanted the number plate high so as to maximise cooling air to the oil cooler and the lower part of the water radiator. I fitted an ST-type spoiler to duct the air towards the radiators. As my car has a lowering kit, I couldn't fit the spoiler in the usual position - I wanted to avoid breaking the spoiler on speed-bumps, kerbs etc - so cut it down and fitted it higher up by pop-rivets and glass-fibre bonding. Can't be sure how effective it is as the weather has been cold (and wet) most of the time since the work was completed.

If anyone wants a picture, please contact me off BBS and I'll send them a picture.
P L Hills

I've used the method as described by Paul Hunt. I made 2 "U" brackets out of 1"x1/8" flat iron. They attach to the back of the bumper then bend forward under the bumper & up in front.The number plate bolts directly to them. There is no extra reinforcing.We do have metal number plates in NSW, but I can't see a problem with the plastic ones you have in the UK.
Barrie E
Barrie Egerton

L Webb - I wouldn't doubt that it does, what I'm saying that is apart from a relatively narrow speed range it doesn't make much difference to cooling. Above that there will be more than enough air anyway, below that ... well if it is going to overheat at a slow speed just because you have a number plate there then it is going to overheat even earlier at a standstill. I've had mine on test up to 41C ambient when stationary and the fans were maintaining the temp gauge just below mid-way from N to H. Like anything else if your cooling system isn't up to snuff then you may well get problems at lower ambients than this.
Paul Hunt

This thread was discussed between 09/11/2004 and 12/11/2004

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