Rear end change to bolt on

Collecting parts for my V8 conversion. I just picked up a WW MGC rear end. Problem is I want to use bolt on rims. This will allow me a better selection of rims and tires. Now, I did a search on the topic and think I found the answer but just wanted to confirm I understand this correctly. As the WW axle is shorter in length between hubs, if I put bolt on hubs to the WW axle this will shorten by 1 1/2" the distance between hubs, but allow me to fit a much wider rim and tire. Is this correct? I've got the Omni fenders already to flare the fender wells. I'm not up on the offset principles involved with rims, figure once done any reputable tire shop will beable to fit the correct rim. Or should I build with a particular rim and tire in mind.

Brian, I think you really need to have the wheels and tires selected before deciding on the rear axle width if possible. If you want the front and rear wheels to match in style then you need to find a style that has the offsets you need for the front and then work with that on the rear. You can have different offset wheels in the rear and wider tires, but I like to have them all the same so that I can rotate them if I want or move to the other axle to fit a spare. Knowing the tire size is almost necessary to know what offset you need on the front to get everything to clear. Using the Omni flares will help of course so you're not as tightly restricted, but you want a wheel with an offset that will give you good steering effort, too much offset can cause some really heavy steering, especially at low speeds with wide tires.
As far as the bolt on hubs to the wire wheel axle, you are correct, the resulting overall rear width will be about 1 1/2" narrower.
IMHO the steps should go like this:
1. Select the tire width that will work in the wheelwells you have.
2. Select the wheel that will work with the tires, and has the offset range to work with the front alignment.
3. Use that information to figure out how wide to make the rear axle or how thick to make any spacers if necessary.

Yes, you are correct. Also the tire will moved inside and if to wide it will hit the bump stop hump in the inner fender. this can be removed.

Bill has good advice. The axle is 50" for the wire wheel and 52 for the disc, that is 1" on each side. Now check your wheel backspacing and wheel and etc

http://www.daytonwirewheels.com/techinfo.html

Brian, check out this thread... there's way more in it than wheel/tire/flare width discussion, but the link should get you close to the part that talks about that. I posted a pic there that should help explain the relationship between axle width, wheel width, offset (& backspace), flare width, etc...

http://forum.britishv8.org/read.php?2,166,1954#msg-1954

Note that you really want to start with the front because the front suspension width is pretty much fixed. A good size to use as a starting point w/stock width front suspension & omni flares is 7" wide, 0 offset.

Great info guys really appreciate it. I'm still in the gathering parts and forming an idea stage so nows the time to ask.

Thanks, Brian