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 MG Y Type - Wire wheels on a Y?

I have seen a photo of a YA fitted with wire wheels and it sure looks great to me. I'm wondering if anyone has done this and what the best way to go is. Maybe it would be the time to put on front disc brakes and maybe fit in a wirewheel MGB rearend. I've been driving a TD the past 6 months that has an MGB rearend in it, a 3.91 I think. At first I did not like the lack of mid range pulling power in 4th gear. But I've gotten use to shifting and now sort of like it. A real first gear you can use and nice low rpm when crusing at 65mph. Maybe this would give a Y an nice boost too? Any thoughts
Warren M

The other advantage that wires wheels provide is the ability to run radial ply tyres instead of cross plys. This provides a nice improvement in handling as well.

To make a YA look right with wires you will need to fit MGA/TF type 15 inch wheels, this may mean a 4.3:1 diff (MGA/Morris Oxford/Wolseley 15-60) rather than a 3.9:1 as the ideal final drive ratio to help with the power to weight of the Y vs your TD.
Phil Stafford

Each to their own.

Personally, I think it looked terrible! But whatever turns you on! I have wire wheels on my MGB and oh how I wish I didn't!! They are awful to keep clean and just not worth the candle!

Good luck

Paul
Paul Barrow

Using an Austin Healey hub, you can fit standard BMC wire wheels. But these are 14" so large tyres would be needed to make the car 'look' correct and restore the axle ratio.

The tyres will rub on full lock on the chassis, and the larger tyres will not fit the spare wheel cupboard.

Neil.
Neil Cairns

Did any British cars ever fit 16 wire wheels?
Warren M

A popular replacement for the 19" w/wheels on the TC were 16" ones.
Bob Simpson

This thread was discussed between 06/12/2001 and 11/12/2001

MG MG Y Type index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MG Y Type BBS now