New P5B Owner

[Deleted]

Hi All,

I have just purchased a 1972 Rover P5B that just needs a few item For the MOT. Can you recommend a Battery also tyres and sizes. Any particular spark plugs also.
Thanks in advance

David

[Phil Nottingham]

Welcome - the plugs you need are NGK BP6HS or Bosch W8BC or Unipart GSP 437 any battery to give 57 a/hr or more output will do provided it will fit the the box and the terminals are onthe right sides. I have 069 on mine which is hikgher rated.

Modern batteries are much smaller than those the box was designed for so a much havier rated one can be fitted.

An essential book is the workshop manual

Tell us more about you and your car.

I suggest you join the club as well

[Deleted]

Thanks for the help. Can you reccommend any tyre sizes and makes? I have had a quick look on the forum and the web and 195/70 15 seem to be the best available.

I have ordered a workshop manual and I will be joining the club. I should be picking up the P5B in a couple of weeks. I had better tell my missus first.

I am probably what you would call a serial restorer. In the past two and a half years I have restored (To various standards) a BMW 3.0 CS, a Classic Mini, a BMW E12 M535I and am currently restoring a Morris Minor Van. I am hoping to get the P5B on the road without a major restoration. I shall use it for a couple of years then restore it. As after I have finished the Morris Van I have a BMW 3.0 SI (1972) and an Alvis TD21 (1958) to restore. I know I must be mad but it keeps me out of trouble.

You can look at my website for pictures of the restorations and current projects I have.

www.m535i.co.uk

Thanks
Dave

[Phil Nottingham]

I am glad you like P5's anyway.

As to tyres these are often discussed on this forum. Use SEACH - 400 days and see!

Radials are definitly safer these days the correct size is 185 - 15 SR or HR. I prefer Kumo's if you can get them but Hankooks seem to be the alternative though I have never tried them.

I have tried 195/70's as these are easier to obtain but they do not look right and place much heavier strain on the steering. If the pump/box is past its prime then they will spring leaks and the track rod ends which are only just up to the job anyway
will not last long.

There are more expensive top name brands but unless you are doing high mileages are not worth it