MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Ford diff with Wire Wheels

Has anyone used a Ford 8" rearend with wire wheels. I really like my minilites and want to keep using them, but I'd also like to have positraction. I have a '67 BGTV8 and it is in the 200hp range.

David
David Atherton

While i dont like the idea of driving 200 hp through a spline drive, what you ask is possible. Triumps used a bolt on spline drive that can be secured to the lug studs. You may need to cut the length of the studs down to clear the wheel.

An alternative you may wish to consider is a pin drive. need to do a fair bit of machining, but the slines will never cause a problem again
greg fast

Bolt on wire wheels look awesome. Denny
DBW

david, if you decide you want bolt ons i have a set of older datsun wires, 6x14 bolt ons that i had planned on using with my bgtv8 before i sold it, the chrome needs some cleaning but they are in pretty good shape overall, if you are intersted i can take pictures, would proably need 175 for the set of 4, jim
james madson

I'm using a Ford 8" diff with splined chrome wires. No problems as yet, although keeping them clean is a pain. I don't think there is a problem with splines. Jags, Aston Martins used them & now the V8 Supercars seem to use them for quick pit stop wheel changes.
Barrie E
Barrie Egerton

I am also running Minilites, knockoffs, and 200 hp. Stock wirewheel rearend is holding up fine but I also want to retain the Minilites and use a Ford 8" for better gearing, and Posi.
Don Zeigler

There is a diference between a Aston Marting wheel splines and that of an MGB.
The process is very simple, have the 8 inch rear cut to fit your car, order the axles with the B bolt pattern 4 on 4 1/2 Call Dayton Wheels and buy a set of bolt on wire wheels. These wire wheels have the big spline like the Aston Martin and if you ever decide to go back to a regular hub wheel, just take them off.

I saw a set on a MGB, it looks stock. During the annual meeting of BMTA I had the opportunity to talk to the rep from Dayton, these wheels are great! if you like wire wheels this is the way to go, they wioll take lots of torque.
Bill Guzman

I have minilites, not wire wheels, and want to retain them.

What is the difference between Aston Martin hubs and MGs'?

David
David Atherton

Some people have used the mgb tubes and axels and the Ford 8" center part. Could someone explain this further. Denny
DBW

DBW, this is the set up I used. The Ford 8" diff, 3.08/1 came from an Aussie Ford Falcon. The splines on the MG axles fitted the Ford centre perfectly. The down side is that the axles on a ford are different lengths, ie. the LH axle is shorter than the RH one because the pinnion is offset to the right.This then brings the pinnion back to the centre of the car. MG axles are equal length, so the pinnion ends up being 2" off centre to the right.To make it work, the RH battery cradle had to go & the TX tunnel had to be widened about 1" at the back RH corner. Solve one problem & you create another. Because of the alteration to the Tx tunnel the RH seat had to be altered sligthly. With an angle grinder & a Mig welder, the mods took less than an hour, & with the carpet back in place, it is quite unnoticable. I chose this way because of the cost saving. Whether the US Ford diff. works this way or not, I don't know. I was also told that the diff from an Aussie Chrysler Valient would work as well. Barrie E
Barrie Egerton

David I did that back in the 70's. I just pressed off the hub from the "B" axle machined the back side smooth. The four bolt pattern is the same as MGB 4X4.5..put the 4 bolt pattern on the axles and just bolted the hubs on. I was running a 289 Ford with a top loader 4sp. The only problem I had was after a few years the spokes were getting a little weak.
Steve

Barry,

Given that you would need to shorten the ford diff anyway, wouldn't it be easier to modify the Ford axles to the narrower track avoiding the mods required to the TX tunnel and battery? Or do you mean that only one side of the Ford diff needs shortening (saving money) if the MG axles are used?
Dom.
Dom

I thought they take the tubes and axels and cut off the tubes of the 8" and add the tubes and axels of the MGB to the 8" center. Denny
DBW

They kept the Ford tubes, trimmed them to the right length & added the MG bits for the suspension. Then I believe they packed the bearings as the Ford tubes are slightly bigger. This is the way the diff. shop suggested, so I went along them. I was told that to change the axles would cost an extra $1100.
Barrie Egerton

This thread was discussed between 31/08/2004 and 05/09/2004

MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical BBS now