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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Wire wheel possibilities

I have the 4x13 wire wheels. I see there are 5x 13 and 5.5x13 available.

Firstly, is the increase in width by insetting, offsetting or a combination?
The 4x 13 are right up to the wheel arch so I couldn't go wider without messing with the wheelarch.

Secondly, Would there be any handling issues if I were to widen just the rear wheels, leaving the 4 inch at the front? I can't see the fronts skidding before the rears but then I've never noticed this done except on American midgets with V6s up front and straighter roads presumably.

I know I would then have unmatching wheels but a 4" spare would work back or front.

At what level of power would 5 1/2 inch rears no longer be sufficient?

Oh, also, what would the optimum tyre size be for 5 1/2 inch - could it be wider without going taller?

1961 Gan1

Thanks



P Peters

I have been searching for 5.1/2” wire wheels to replace mine which have worn splines, but the cost was horrendous so I have gone with alloys.
How much have you been quoted for 5.1/2” wires.
I had 175/70x13s on my Sprite, but I have round wheel arches.
Bernie.
b higginson

Hi again Bernie,

Could you clarify whether you already have 5.5" wheels or are looking to widen? If already 5.5 or even 5 how close are they to the wheelarch? Eg If you had a flat arch would it hit your tyres?

I had a quick google and found the best prices new here:

https://www.classic-spares.com/product/5-%c2%bd-x-13-60-spoke-silver-painted-wire-wheel/

https://www.holden.co.uk/p/chrome-wire-wheels-mg-midget-and-austin-healey-sprite-3

But I was also thinking that you only need to replace the worn parts not the whole wheel.

It might be worth talking to someone that rebuilds wire wheels. Eg

http://pjhallewellengineering.co.uk/

ISTR an episode of Wheeler Dealers where a company just replaced a few of the spokes and refreshed because that's all that was needed. Perhaps they could rethread new spindles on your good wheels and it would be cheaper than replacing the whole thing. Are your hubs also worn or just the wheel spindles?

My original question is whether one has to run all 4 wheels at the same width or one can just widen the rears. I'm thinking it must be far cheaper to replace two narrow rims with wide rims on the existing spokes and hubs. Spare and fronts could remain untouched for free...



P Peters

Bernie

Are you still thinking of having your wires rebuilt?

Rugby Classic Motor Garages offer a rebuilding service, although they only mention spokes. I don’t know if they do replacement centres.

http://www.rugbyclassics.com/index.php?webpage=specialist-services
Dave O'Neill 2

My existing 5.1/2” wheel have very worn splines, that’s why I was looking at replacing them.

All the 5.1/2”x13 wheels in both those links are centre laced which puts the rim of the wheel quite a bit further out. I recently borrowed a set of them from a friend to see what they would look like on my car. They looked really odd and would certainly not fit under a square wheel arch. I have round arches and they made my car look like a roller skate.
L
Another thing to consider is that anything more than a 95mm back space will foul the spring.
Unfortunately you can’t try before you buy.

Dave. All the rebuild companies that I’ve talked to, and I’ve really done the rounds, will do everything except supply a new splined hub because to do that and rebuild the wheel would cost as much as buying a new wheel. They will true the rim, supply and fit new spokes, shot blast and repaint, but not fit a new hub.
b higginson

Interesting. I will ask around and if I find anything of use I will post it here.

P Peters

Not exactly an answer but there are wheel banding companies that will band wire wheels.

Doesn't solve worn splines though. You could get these.

https://mgbhive.co.uk/product/22-new-60-spoke-13-x-4j-painted-midget-wire-wheel/

and band them wider though I suspect you can only inset as there isn't much meat to offset.

Going back to one of my original questions, any reason not to just widen the rear wheels?

Eg 5.5" rear, 4" front?

Will it adversely affect handling? Front wheels remaining narrow = light steering and money saved.

P Peters

This thread was discussed between 14/01/2023 and 21/01/2023

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.