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MG MGB Technical - TYRE SIZE?

HI. loking at putting Centre Lock minilite wheels on my 1969 MGB GT however would like to wear 195/60 x15
Does any of you out there have the same set up now and does any one know where this will cause body rub or not?

lee

Check the archives of the MGC board as they run 15" wheels.
John H

Lee - The MGOC carries the 15 inch minator (same as minilite) center lock wheels, both the MGC variety and as an oversize for the MGBs. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

I run 195/60R15 on my '65 B with no rubbing issues. The wheels are Dunlop 72-spoke with 5.5" rims.
Steve Simmons

I run 195/60R15 on my '71 B GT with a bit rubbing problems.
The MGC wheelarches was a bit flared compared to the B, so too wide tyres will cause rubbing issues.
Björn-Anders Haverstad

Why hassel with BIG tyres on a car with limited power ,185x70 tyres do not cause any fouling problems,put enough rubber on the road and are within 5mm in dia. of the original tyres.
Trevor

I have run 185 & 195/65/15 on my M.G.s for a lot of years & no rub. The 65 tire rides much better than a 60 tire, just a bit bigger in die. BUT what a much nicer ride.
Glenn Towery

I'm running 185/70/14s on 6" Performance Superlites with 18 mm offset, and tires on both sides will rub on the wheel arches with a load, a passenger and/or a bump or a slightly aggressive turn. I'm figuring the extra 1/2" of rim width is probably the problem. This is on my '73 B/GT with fresh rebuilt shocks from World Wide, and new rear leaf springs from John Twist.

I'm considering one of two solutions:

1. Switch to a set of LE wheels which I already have, or;

2. Switch to a wire-wheel rear axle and use spacers.

Any comments?

Cheers,
Allen
Allen Bachelder

' Forgot to mention I've considered going down to 175 tires, but that leaves me with few and rather poor tire choices.

Allen
Allen Bachelder

Agree with Glenn,

195/65/15 here with a much better ride!

Regards, Ray
Ray 1977mgb

Lee,
I'm using 195 by 60 tyres on 15 by 6, 24 positive, performance superlites (minilite replicas). This is on a V8 and needs the rubber. I'd agree with the others that 185 should be enough for the 1800 and ovoid the possibility of rubbing problems. All MGB's have (from the factory jig) a small offset between the axle and rear guards, 1/4 to 1/2" to the left.
However, you might just prefer to have wider wheels. I've got no noticable rubbing problems, however there is a faint rub mark on the inner RHS rear guard. At some stage I must have rubbed. I've just fitted new springs and in the process replaced the (it turns out) extremely worn (to the metal) bushes on the rear shackel. It occures to me that even this small rub would not have happened if I had fitted new bushes in the first place and that axle hadn't been moving around.

My wheels are bolt on and the wire wheel axle is a different width to the bolt on axle. This will change your offset (the 24 Pos') a little. If the wheel manufacturer doesn't know, or you just want to check, simply find out the axle width difference and add or subtract half.
Peter

Hi Peter,

The wire wheel axle is 1-3/4" narrower; 7/8" per side. I think if I had 24 or 26 mm + offsets, I'd be fine with the steel-wheel axle, but Superlite recommends the 18 mm + offset for MGBs.

Not good.

Allen
Allen Bachelder

I've run 205/75/15 and 195/75/15 [on280Z turbo rims] the 205s rub with two people aboard not so with the 195s now you may ask why? would I run this tire on a 4 speed 1976 I used it on trips for a cheap over drive and as these were parts laying around the shop and I could install them at no charge. Ric
RIC LLOYD

Lee-
I've been using P195/60R15 tires for quite some time. I strongly recommend installing a Panhard rod on the rear suspension in order to control axle sway when cornering hard (I did). I consider it to be a necessity when fitting high performance tires for enthusiastic driving (It's a sports car, right?) Be aware that not all tires in the same size have the same sidewall profile. Some buldge outwards more than others do.
Steve S.

Very definitely 24 p stamped on the wheels Alan.
I bought them though MG workshops here in Melbourne and they must have sold hundreds of these. The slight rub mark was just above the bump stop bulge rear right. The old axle off set issue. 18 P would work, but I think the rub mark might be a bit worse if it were 6mm closer. Or might not with fresh bushes.
Peter

Peter,

Ah, but the 18 p wheels that I have rub on the outside.

Allen
Allen Bachelder

Lee,
I've got the Moss supplied 15" center knock off alloy wheels, with Yokohama AVS Intermediate tires (NLA) in 195/60/15 on a 78B roadster. Springs are stock. I do get occasional rubbing when loaded, or going over a decent bump.

I've reduced the rubbing to a tolerable level by doing the following:
1. Rolled the inner fender lip flat with the outer bodywork.
2. Slightly "flared" the fender (not really noticible).
3. Installed adjustable lever shocks. They are set to a firmer setting than stock. Probably could have gotten away with upgraded valving. But at the time I didn't know how much extra damping I needed.

I do not get any rubbing while cornering - only over bumps. Then again the late B's have factory rear anti-sway bars which will also act somewhat like panhard rods in helping to locate the rear axle.

I've been tempted to try and replace the stock WW hubs with those of a Triumph (TR3-TR6) to try to bring the wheels in a little further. This may get a bit involved (machining may be required), so haven't pursued it since my B is my daily driver.

Tom
Tom Sotomayor

This thread was discussed between 08/07/2008 and 30/07/2008

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