Rover P5 (3 Litre) and P5B (3.5 Litre) Service Data
Here’s some useful information that I’ll keep updating over time. Key information that I think is useful will be added here so it doesn’t get buried in the website. If you want me to add something or you spot an error just let me know and I’ll be happy to add it or fix it.
Rover P5 and P5B Service Data
Item | Rover P5 Saloon & Coupe (MkI, MkIA, MkII & MkIII) | Note | Rover P5B Saloon & Coupe (V8) | Note |
---|---|---|---|---|
Tyre Pressures | 26 psi crossply 30 psi radial | 26 psi crossply 30 psi radial | ||
Spark Plugs | Champion N5 / Lodge HLN | Champion L87YC / L92YC | ||
Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 | F-R | 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 | Left F-R: 1-3-5-7 Right F-R: 2-4-6-8 |
Spark Plug Gap | 0.75 mm / 0.029 in | 0.60 mm / 0.025 in | ||
Contact Breaker / Points (pre 1972) | Unipart GCS 102 / Intermotor 22560 / GKN MSC 36 | Lucas DSB 111 / Intermotor 23420 / Unipart GCS 108 | ||
Contact Breaker / Points (post 1972) | Not applicable | Lucas DSB 117 / Intermotor 23430 / Unipart GCS 2117 | ||
Contact Breaker / Points Gap | 0.35 - 0.40mm / 0.014 - 0.016 in | Dwell Angle 26 - 28 degrees | 0.35 - 0.40mm / 0.014 - 0.016 in initial setting | |
Ignition Timing | 3 degrees BTDC | 6 degrees BTDC | Dynamic setting at 5-600 rpm. Retard to TDC if not using 100 RON fuel. Some experimentation may be needed. |
|
Oil Filter | AC FF24 / Unipart GFE 111 / Fram CH 853pl | Unipart GFE 145 / Fram PH 25 / Crossland 313 | ||
Oil Pressure | 30-40 lb/sq in at 2,400rpm | Approximately 50 mph in top gear | 30-40 lb/sq in at 2,400rpm | Approximately 50 mph in top gear |
Air Filter | AC Delco MkI oil bath / Unipart GFE 1028 / TJB65 / Crossland 837 | Unipart GFE 1111 / Fram CA 2634 / Crossland 806 | ||
Fan Belt | ||||
Fan Belt Adjustment | 8-11 mm / 5/16-7/16 in movement | 11-14 mm / 0.437-0.562 in movement | ||
Dynamo Belt Adjustment | 8-11 mm / 5/16-7/16 in movement | Not applicable | ||
Power Steering Belt | ||||
Power Steering Belt Adjustment | 6-9 mm / 0.25-0.375 in movement | |||
Antifreeze | 33% concentration | Glycol-based 50-60% concentration | 33-50% concentration | Bluecol AA or similar with corrosion inhibitor |
Rover P5 and P5B Service Items
Item | Recommendation | Notes |
---|---|---|
Engine Oil | Penrite Classic Light | High Zinc content good for classic engines. |
Auto Transmission Fluid | Castrol TQF | Conforms to Type G Ford Spec M2C-33G. Avoid any Dexron types. |
Power Steering Fluid | Castrol TQF | |
Brake Fluid | Any DOT4 fluid | |
Clutch Fluid | Any DOT4 fluid | |
SU Damper Oil | Any SAE20 Oil or Comma ATF | SAE20 but no thicker. |
Anti-freeze | Standard Bluecol Blue | Mixed 50:50. Avoid modern Organic Additive Technology (OAT) antifreezes. You want a traditional Inorganic Additive Technology (IAT), ethylene glycol based anti-freeze with inhibitors for alloy engines. |
Spark Plugs | Champion L87YC / L92YC | |
Contact Breakers | pre 72: Lucas DSB 111 / Internotor 23420 / Unipart GCS 108 Post 72: Lucas DBS 117 / Intermotor 23430 / Unipart GCS 2117 | |
Fan Belt | ||
Power Steering Belt | ||
Air Filter | Unipart GFE 1111 / Fram CA2634 / Crossland 806 | |
Oil Filter | Unipart GFE 145 / Fram PH25 / Crossland 313 |
Rover P5 and P5B Service Items (Bulbs)
Item | Description | Rating | Part No. | Quantity |
---|---|---|---|---|
Headlamp | RHD | 12V 75/45W | Lucas No. 59679 Sealed Beam | 2 |
LHD (Except France) | 12V 45/40W Duplo | Lucas No. 410 | 2 | |
LHD (France) | 12V 45/40W Duplo (yellow) | Lucas No. 411 | 2 | |
Front Fog Lamp (P5B) | 12V 50W | Lucas No. 54522163 Sealed Beam | 2 | |
Front Side Lights | 12V 5W | Lucas No. 989 / GLB 989 | 2 | |
Front Indicator Lights | 12V 21W | Lucas No. 382 / GLB 382 | 2 | |
Side Indicator Repeater Lights | 12V 3W Festoon | Lucas No. 256 | 4 | |
Rear Number Plate Lamp | 12V 5W | Lucas No. 989 / GLB 989 | 2 | |
Reversing Lamp | 12V 21W | Lucas No. 382 / GLB 382 | 1 | |
Rear Side Light / Brake Light | 12V 21/5W | Lucas No. 380 / GLB 380 | 2 | |
Rear Indicator Lights | 12V 21W | Lucas No. 382 | 2 | |
Rear Luggage Boot Lamp | 12V 4W | Lucas No. 222 | 1 | |
Binnacle Warning Lights | 12V 2.2W | Lucas No. 987 | 2, 3 or 4 depending on model | |
Speedometer, Tachometer (Coupe), Grouped Instruments (Saloon) | 12V 3.6W | Lucas No. 984 | ||
Panel Plate | 12V 1.2W | Carr Fastener No 82/036 | ||
Interior Lamps | 12V 6W Festoon | Lucas No. 254 | 4 | |
Instrument Panel Switch Lights | 12V 2W | Lucas No. 981 | 4 | |
Clock Light | 12V 2W | Lucas No. 281 | 1 | |
Cigar Lighter | 12V 2.2W | Tex No. GBP-V-2.2 | 1 (2 if rear smokers companion fitted) | |
Handbrake / Brake Fluid Warning Light | 12V 2W | Lucas No. 281 | 1 | |
Automatic Transmission Selector Indicator Light | 12V 3W Festoon | Lucas No. 256 | 1 | |
Bonnet Lamp (Coupe) | 12V 6W | Tex SP No. 209 | 2 |
Rover P5 and P5B Engine Oil
The manual suggests any 20W50 oil, but here’s our article and recommendations on what oil to use in your P5 or P5B – be careful as modern oils have a different formulation to those in the 1950’s to 1970’s even if the name is the same. There’s also a thread on the P5 Club Forum. The main issue is over the amount (or lack of) Zinc in modern oils, and that may be causing wear to classic engines.
Rover P5 and P5B Automatic Transmission & Power Steering
On to another can of worms. The P5 Club Forum has this handy thread. Seems there’s concern over ‘Dexron’ type fluids that were specified by GM, as they contain friction modifiers which help to smooth out the changes on boxes that were designed to be used with it. The P5B Borg-Warner 35 that the P5B uses wasn’t designed to use it, and it can cause slip and gear changing problems. You need an oil that conforms to Type G Ford Spec M2C-33G.
Rover P5 and P5B Wheels & Tyres
Wheels are 5 x 5in PCD pattern (5 x 127mm), 15 inch diameter. They were popularly called Magnum style (as in Magnesium style) but now are better known as Rostyle wheels. The R and O of Rostyle not being from ROver, but from Rubery Owen, the British company that produced them.
See our article on Rover P5 and P5B wheels and tyres here for a full discussion on the options.
A great generic resource on tyres and wheels is The Wheel And Tyre Bible.
Size | Type | Width | Sidewall Height | Circumference | % Difference | Indicated 70mph Is Actually | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6.70 x 15 | Original Equipment: Avon Turbospeed or Dunlop Roadspeed | 6.70 inches / 170 mm | 6.70 inches / 170 mm | 2265 mm | - | 70 mph | Original factory-fitted tyre, crossply. |
195/80 15 | 4x4 tyre | 195 mm | 156 mm | 2176 mm | -4% | 67.2 mph | |
205/70 15 | Car tyre | 205 mm | 144 mm | 2097 mm | -7% | 64.8 mph | |
205/80 15 | 4x4 tyre | 205 mm | 164 mm | 2226 mm | -2% | 68.8 mph |
Cross Ply tyres recommended to be inflated to 26 psi.
Radial tyres are recommended to be inflated to 30 psi.
Rover P5 and P5B Paint Codes
Colour | ICI Code | Mix |
---|---|---|
Admiralty Blue | P030-6856 | Indigo Blue (P030-9932) 40% Blue Lake (P030-9930) 27% Black (P030-9929) 26% White (P030-9901) 7% |
Silver Birch | P030-4891 | White (P030-9901) 89% Reduced Yellow Oxide (P062-9911) 6% Black (P030-9929) 4% Reduced Permanent Green (P062-9905) 1% |
Bordeaux Red | P030-4890 | Garnet Maroon (P030-9923) 55% Black (P030-9929) 28% Turkey Red Oxide (P030-9915) 15% White (P030-9901) 2% |
Zircon Bue | P030-4508 | Permanent Blue (P030-9904) 41% Permanent Green (P030-9905) 27% White (P030-9901) 20% Black (P030-9929) 10% |
Arden Green | P030-4881 | Black (P030-9929) 47% Fast Yellow (P030-9970) 30% Permanent Green (P030-9905) 19% Turkey Red Oxide (P030-9915) 3% White (P030-9901) 1% |
Burnt Grey | P030-4888 | Black (P030-9929) 48% White (P030-9901) 36% Yellow Oxide (P030-9911) 9% Turkey Red Oxide (P030-9915) 7% |
Vehicle Registration Plate (Number Plate) Years
Data is included for the years the P5 and P5B were in production where there were standardised letter suffixes t hat denote the year of first registration.
Registration Letter | Dates | Notes |
---|---|---|
- | Pre February 1963 | Not year-related. |
A | February 1963 - 31 December 1963 | |
B | 1 January 1964 - 31 December 1964 | |
C | 1 January 1965 - 31 December 1965 | |
D | 1 January 1966 - 31 December 1966 | |
E | 1 January 1967 – 31 July 1967 | Although pre-P5B commercial launch, some brochures show E-registered cars. |
F | 1 August 1967 – 31 July 1968 | Rover P5B introduced in September 1967. |
G | 1 August 1968 – 31 July 1969 | |
H | 1 August 1969 – 31 July 1970 | |
J | 1 August 1970 – 31 July 1971 | |
K | 1 August 1971 – 31 July 1972 | |
L | 1 August 1972 – 31 July 1973 | |
M | 1 August 1973 – 31 July 1974 | Rover P5B ceased production in 1973. |
UK Number Plate Styles
Black number plates with white or silver characters are permitted on vehicles registered before 1 January 1973. In reality, many cars of the late 1960’s and early 1970’s used white/yellow plates with black lettering as it was seen as being more modern.
The ‘year identifier’ is a handy way to know the age of the vehicle (or at least when it was first registered). Until 1967 the year letter changed on 1 January each year, so car buyers would often wait until the New Year for the new letter to be issued so they could get a “newer” car. This led to major peaks and troughs in sales over the year. To help flatten this out, in 1967 the change of year letter occurred on 1 August rather than 1 January. So “E” suffixes ran only from 1 January to 31 July, before “F” suffixes commenced on 1 August.
In reality all this change did was move the peak from January to August – a marginal improvement. It wouldn’t be until 1999 that the UK moved to a 6-monthly interval between age suffixes, which split the peak into two and seemed to significantly reduce the tendency for buyers to wait for a new suffix date before buying a car.