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MG MGB Technical - recommended tire for 4 inch steel wheel

What is the recommended modern tire size for the early 4 inch steel wheel.

Tnx.
Steven Rechter

After further research I found that these wheels can not take anything larger than 155r14 tires.

My research also reveals that the Roadster was fitted with 155r14 and the GT with 165r14 tires from the factory.

My follow-up question is: Were the early U.S. destined GT's ever fitted with the original 4 inch width steel disc wheel.
Steven Rechter

The GT had a wider version of the steel disc wheel - 5" IIRC
Dave O'Neill2

My (Sumitomo) chart shows 4" rim as the minimum for 165.
Standard tires were 5.60 bias, later 155 radial.
All GT had 5" rims and 165.

FRM
FR Millmore

Steven,

No modern tire are easily available as originals 155R14(read 155/82x14). Except coker tire on specialized tire shop. But a friend installed 175/70x14 on a B with 4" rims without any problem, but you are on the extreme lower limit of wheel width. They are easy to find.

Cheers,

Jean
Jean Guy Catford

Do you see any potential issues with installing 155r14 on a GT?
Steven Rechter

Why?
Factory thought 165 were called for, due to car weight loaded I guess. Even if you have some surplus of 4" wheels, 165 on 4 is better than 155. I have had as wide as 185 on 4", certainly far from ideal but no problem. Better yet, use the 5" wheels and 175/70 or similar.

FRM
FR Millmore

My 65 has the 4" discs. I have old Avon 165R14's which need to be replaced due to age. Vrederstein(sp?)is one company that makes the 165R14. Coker carries these and last time I checked they were $114/ea without shipping or mounting. Maybe a good local dealer can source them for you.

I don't think anyone makes the 155R14's anymore.

Originally the DPO equipped my car with 185R14's. The rims were a mix of improper offset Datsun's and an original. The 185's were obviously too wide for the rim. Made for an interesting ride and bent fender lips.

Some tire manufacturer guidelines I've seen list 165 as the max width for these narrow rims. Other's list 155 as you noted. I may have seen one showing 175 as allowable. I expect the lower the profile the smaller the allowable width.

Bob
Robert McCoy

I located 165/70-14 tires from several sources at half the cost of Coker's 165R14. My local tire dealer cannot get a better deal on Coker tires and suggested that I drop ship the tires to them.

The 165/70 is a little wider than normally recommended for 4in rims but it also has a lower profile.

The lower profile may make them more appropriate for these narrow rims.

The downside is they have a much smaller diameter than stock and will spin about 50 more revolutions per mile than stock tires.

Steven Rechter

Hello,

To compare tires you have this program very usefull:

http://www.stuegli.com/tiresize.htm

Cheers,

Jean G.
Jean Guy Catford

Steve, where did you source those 165/70R14 tires? Sounds interesting. I'd love to save some money.

When I lived in the Bay Area I used Wheel Works to get the Avons. They worked well but are way past their life span.

Love to hear how things come out.

Did you ever consider buying some RoStyle wheels? I think you can get 175/70 to fit these okay.

Bob, now relocated to New Hampshire.
Robert McCoy

Robert,

I am of-topic, but do you know Brit bits at Rye, N.H. an excellent place.

Jean G.
Jean Guy Catford

Robert,

Here is the link to the 165/70-14 tires:

http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?dsco=135&Cookie=pricegrabber&details=Ordern&typ=D-118286&ranzahl=4&nichtweiter=1
Steven Rechter

Steve, thanks so much for the link. Those are a really good bargain compared to the Vredersteins. Those are $116 at Coker tire which was the cheapest I found on the internet.

Jean, I live about 30 minutes from Rye and have driven past the store. I haven't bought anything at Brit Bits but I know they have a good reputation. I did ask them about crankcase ventilation options using the Weber DGV conversion. They were very prompt. (I remain with the SU HS-4's). I have repairs to do shortly so I'm going to contact them. Thanks for the reminder.

Bob
65 Roadster
Robert McCoy

For what it is worth here is a link to a company that claims to sell 155R14 tires. Cost without shipping $80/ea. The listing specifically states MGB.

https://www.universaltire.com/radial-tires/blackwall-and-narrow-whitewall-radial-tires.html

Click on the 155R14 icon for details.

Bob
Robert McCoy

Steve, did you install the 165/70's on your car?

Thanks, Bob
Robert McCoy

This thread was discussed between 28/03/2012 and 13/04/2012

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