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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - 5 lug wheels

I'm in the process of installing a Rover 3.5L into my 1975 MGB. I have built several muscle cars and really like Chevy wheels. I'm thinking of putting some adaptors onto the MGB to change them over to 5 lug.
Has anybody done this? I found a place that makes the adaptors and I have a custom wheel house near by that can make me wheels with custom backspacing. This will allow me to move the wheel back by the amout the adaptor sticks it out.
I also want to use a 15X8 rear and 15X7 front.

Paul
Paul Waters

Paul, have you considered new front hubs that are already 5 lug pattern? Bill Guzman makes some http://www.classicconversionseng.com/Hubs%20kits.htm
and you could match things up in the rear with a narrowed Chevy axle and get better gear selections along with that. I'm not a fan of wheel adaptors, but they've been around for a long time so I guess they're ok, it's just that they're a compromise and you still have to have custom wheels made to get the offset right. I'd rather put the money into the hubs and axle and save on the wheels, makes any replacement due to possible damage much easier.
Bill Young

Sorry, just tried the link and it doesn't seem to work directly to the page with the hubs, try the main page at http://www.classicconversionseng.com/
Bill Young

Bill,
You make a very good point. I'm going to check with Classic Conversions as they are about 1 hour from me. I'd really like to change the rear end but the funds are not available to me right now. The adaptors were a cheap way of putting new wheels on. I agree that they are not the best solution and will give it somemore thought.

Thanks,

Paul
Paul Waters

Paul, I had wheel adapters on my car for awhile. The problems are that the adapter throws off your offset as mentioned, and that it's hard to find adapters made out of quality materials. Typically they are cast aluminum which doesn't hold up too well, so when the time comes to upgrade to 5 lug hubs the backspacing is wrong on your wheels. Also servicing the brakes is a pain since you have to remove the adapters to get the drums or rotors off. Also they are likely to be "lug-centric" which must be taken into account for wheel selection.

But, if you don't mind running a set of cheap wheels and tires until you can do the job right, they do have a place. I just wouldn't count on them to last very long.

Jim
Jim Blackwood

Paul
MGC 5 lug hubs are the 5 by 4 3/4" bolt pattern. Same as Chevy/GM. They are a direct bolt on. You do have to use MGC rotors and turn the outside diameter to MGBV8 spec (11" to 10.750"). Then use MGBV8 calipers. MGC and MGBV8s both have 1/2" thick rotors. I also cross drilled my rotors, and used stainless braided hoses for a nice brake upgrade.
The big draw back is 5 lug MGC hubs are REALLY hard to find in the states, since almost all MGCs were shipped over here with wire wheels.

Bill
bill jacobson

Hello,

The best place I know is:

http://www.skulte.com/adapters.html

cheers,

JGC
Jean Guy Catford

Hello,

Another way to overcome the problem used by a friend. Have the mag 5 holes filled by Al welding and the next step is to drill 4 hole with the bolt pattern to suit your MG.

Cheers,

JGC
Jean Guy Catford

Hi

this winter I hope to convert my 74.5 over to Omni flared fenders.
The wheel size and style has been a problem.
The site Jean has recommended appears to answer my questions and solved my problems.

Thanks


Bruce
Bruce Mills

Bill Jacobson,just for the record 5 lug MGC hubs are REALLY hard to find in England too!!!

Dave
dk lowe

What I did was to take a spare set of hubs and machine off the flanges, then make up new flanges out of 5/8" cold rolled steel, press those onto the hubs and weld them on both sides. These were trued up and drilled for the 5 bolt pattern. I know that sounds like a lot of work but for a well equipped shop it goes quickly and should be a good bit less expensive than the two piece billet aluminum adapters. While you're at it, go ahead and put a boss for the wheel to center up on if you want to be able to use hub-centric wheels. It might save problems later.

Jim
Jim Blackwood

Jim, how did you manage the 4 bolt pattern for the rotor and the recess for each the bolts. You most have filled all of the holes? and the recess for each hole? total of 8 holes, including the rotor bolts holes. The problem is that 5 will no go into a 4 hole pattern such as the rotor. Then you would need a 5 bolt rotor. If it did fit due to the dia. then it would be very tight and ..... get the idea. Great idea but difficult and possibly not worth your time.
Bill Guzman

Good point Bill, I went with larger 5 lug ventilated rotors and calipers. It was almost 30 years ago and sometimes the details escape me. You wouldn't want the exact setup I have, better and easier technology is now available, but at the time the front brakes from a Mach 1 Mustang were a gargantuan improvement and performance parts will always be available. The point is, assuming you find a suitable rotor/caliper combination the stock MG hub can be made to match with the offset you desire. Not necessarily the easiest, maybe not even the cheapest, but another way to get there if nothing else suits you. Of course, Bill's brake kits are probably the most sensible upgrade path available and the first thing to do would be to give him a call and see what he has to meet your needs. In most cases it's money well spent.

Jim
Jim Blackwood

Yes, that would work.
Bill Guzman

This thread was discussed between 04/10/2007 and 24/10/2007

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