Aye, There's the Rub (Wire Wheel Conversion)

I have a question for y'all to weigh in on. I am converting my '77 MGB to wire wheels, and doing so with bolt-on spline hub conversions (don't try to talk me out of it, as I already have all the parts and don't want to be swayed and confused by facts!). I have heard that sometimes this can yield a rubbing of one of the rear tires on the fender when bumps are encountered. I am hoping I won't experience this. Do you have any thoughts on which tires I should mount to the stock 14" wire wheels? From what I have read in general tire discussions on these forums, most seem to recommend a 185/70R14 tire. I'd like to have tires as wide as possible, but with my self-induced potential situation, should I mount different tires? Should I go 175 to reduce the width? Or should I go 65 to reduce the height? Thoughts...comments. Thanks, Bill

Me no stinkin' tire expert but...

A 185 65 should clear but you might have trouble, especially on the right side.

If you do, buy a tapered shovel or whatever handle and cut it down a little so that you have cross sections ranging from the smallest up to about an inch and a half.

With the wheel and tire mounted and the car on level pavement, place the smallest section behind the tire and between it and the fender lip before rolling the car forward by hand. As the wood gets wedged between the metal and the rubber it will begin to roll the metal lip upward.

Repeat the operation, gradually increasing the wood diameter, until you have the static clearance that you want.

Gradually doing it this way will lessen the possibility of cracking the paint, but it can still happen, so take it slow and easy.

Jack

If you purchased the proper rear conversion hubs there should not be much of a problem with a 185/70. If you are going to try the Triumph conversion hubs then all bets are off. I would run Dunlop FE20 185/70-14 tires. They are a bit narrower than some of the other brands. Tire rack has them at a good price. Bob

I believe they ARE the Triumph hubs :( Any tips that can help mitigate problems associated with them?

First I ever heard of this. How does the adapter compensate for the difference in rear end width? 3/4" on each side is a good bit. Not that I want wire wheels but just curious.

Ok.

Lets get some things sorted out.

There are two different bolt on rear hubs.

1. Triumph hubs, which are held in place with shortened lug nuts just like a wheel.
2. Proper Salisbury axle conversion hubs, which replace the original steel wheel hubs (just like the original wire wheel hubs) but the brake drums are held in place by bolts, not nuts (as on an original wire wheel car). These conversion hubs space the wheels inwards more than the original wire wheel hubs.


If you have a set of Triumph bolt on hubs - STOP. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200.

The Triumph hubs push the wheels out about an inch and you will have clearance issues even with skinny 165-14 tires. You can use these hubs on an MGA because it has nice round wheel arches, but not on a B.

If you have the correct adapter hubs, you are probably ok with 185/70 tires on a raised height RB MGB. They won't clear on a chrome bumper or lowered B. On a CB car you really need to stick with 165 -14 tires.

End of story.

-ok- not quite the end. If you have the Triumph bolt on hubs, put them up for sale and buy a pair of the correct adapter hubs. I don't know how many other companies carry them, but Moss lists them as part of a wire wheel conversion kit and they are available seperately.

Kelvin.

Say,...... Why not just get the correct rear end? It's not like their scarce.

77 and up wire wheel diffs are scarce. When is the last time you saw a ww diff with sway bar mounts for sale? Bob