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MG MGB Technical - MGB axle questions

About to start a new project and could do with a little help.
Is the the wire wheel later style MGB axle narrower than the normal axle. If so could it be modified to take bolt on wheels?
Can anybody give me the width from wheel mounting on the brake drum to wheel mounting for both axles.
How strong is the axle for the V8 and what is the weakest part.
And what ratios are available?

Thanks Roy

R Mcknight

Yes, the wire wheel axle is narrower than the stud wheel axle, on both axle types. This is because of the different configuration of the wheel and hub combinations.

For the Salisbury/tube type axle the hubs are interchangeable on the half-shafts.

Bearing-cap to bearing-cap is 47" and 48.5" respectively for the Salisbury axle. Brake-drum to brake-drum adds about 4.5", but only the stud wheel mounts against the brake-drum face, the wire wheel mounts against the hub taper which puts the wheel out from the brake drum.

The V8 axle is the same as the 4-cylinder axle, only the diff ratio varies. I doubt strength will be an issue, Perry Stephenson has 322bhp and 383 ft lb going through his http://www.britishv8.org/MG/PerryStephenson.htm.

Standard 4-cylinder ratio was 3.909:1, V8 3.07:1. Alternative ratios were 4.555 and 4.22 as competitions equipment, plus MGC ratios of 3.307 and 3.7.
PaulH Solihull

There are splined alloy wheels that will permit you to mount them onto your wire wheel axle, but be aware that they're very heavy. These are available from Minotaur and weigh 20 lbs.

Hardy-Spicer banjo-type rear axles for wire wheels measure 44.5” across, while the rear axles for steel disc wheels measure 46.25“ across. Salisbury tube-type rear axles for wire wheels measure 47” across, while the rear axles for steel disc wheels measure 48.5“ across.

Newly-manufactured crownwheel and pinion gearsets for the Hardy-Spicer banjo-type rear axle of the MGB MKI Roadster are currently available in:
3.7:1 (available from Autogear, Part # CWP033)
3.909:1 (available from Moss Motors, Part # 267-165; and Autogear, Part # CWP034)
4.1:1 (available from SC Parts Group and Cambridge Motor Sports)
4.3:1 (available from SC Parts Group and Cambridge Motor Sports)
4.55:1 (available from Moss Motors, Part #267-185) and Cambridge Motor Sports
4.875:1 (available from Victoria British, Part # 5-1049)

Newly-manufactured crownwheel and pinion gearsets for the Salisbury tube-type rear axle of the MGB MKII Roadster and of all MGB GTs are available in:
3.071:1 (available from Autogear, Part # CWP032).
3.7:1 (available from Autogear, Part # CWP030)
3.909:1 (available from Autogear, Part # CWP031)
Stephen Strange

Roy

If you want to fit alloys to your car, as Stephen says, they are available and can be fitted directly to your splined hubs, without the need for modification or replacement axle.

Here is a picture of the wheels that I have fitted on my MGC, they are available from Moss, and MGOC I think, in 14" and 15" diameter rims.

I fitted my fheels with triple-eared spinners but, as with MGB hubs, you could fit double-eared spinners or simply the octagonal caps if you didn't want them to stand out.

Robert

Robert Lynex

Is the MGC 3.3 to 1 CWP available by anybody , and could the MGC axle be easliy converted to 4 stud hubs by fitting B parts if i could find a complete axle .
R Mcknight

Roy,

I have a '68 wire wheel roadster and want to convert to alloys. Someone gave me this article which you may find interesting. Avoids changing the axle.

http://www.mgexperience.net/article/wire-to-steel-wheel-convert.html
Steve Church

Personally I like the knock on alloys, but they are not to everybody's taste. Some racers use the narrower wire axle fitted with 4 stud hubs to give them options for fitting wider wheels. Which is great but you should have some lateral axle location. Panhard or watts.
Allan Reeling

This thread was discussed between 10/08/2010 and 29/08/2010

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