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MG MGB Technical - Rostyle wheel crossovers

Gentlemen,
I had new tires put on the B today and one wheel took five ounces to balance it. The guy said all the wheels were bent, probably from potholes around here. I was wondering if there is a list of wheels from other cars that would fit the MGB four-bolt pattern and be a good substitution for my Rostyle wheels. There must be of list of wheels that work. For example, I recall hearing that Fiero wheels would work on a MGB. I am thinking of maybe some used alloys.
In lieu of used wheels, what are people happy with from the new aftermarket wheel companies...mini-lites? Anyone find a place that sells them at a good price?
Thanks in advance,
Randy Olson
Ithaca, NY
1977 MGB with twin SU's
randy olson

The bolt pattern is 4 on 4-1/2". I *believe* that the offset is +28mm.

Datsun 240Z through 280Z work, as might the early years of the ZX (1979-81 or so???)

Very early Mustangs used the same bolt pattern...and there are some models of Saab that also fit.

Just watch the backspacing...there are a lot of FWD vehicles that use this bolt pattern...but the offset is in the +38mm to +42mm range, placing the rim to the inside of the MG, which may lead to clearance problems with rubbing on the inner fender on the rear and the steering rack compnents on the front (without the use of spacers, which leads to longer studs being needed, etc)

rick ingram

Randy... I bet that when he balanced your new tires he just put it on the machine-tightened up the nut and spun it. You cannot balance MG wheels that way as the hole in the center is not concentric with the rim. He needs to use a spider type attachment that utilizes the bolt holes for centering.
This is nothing new as most shops are not familiar with this MG problem.
Sandy Sanders
conrad sanders

It would be a lot easier (and cheaper) to find one good Rostyle than replace the while lot. Do you have a spare in the trunk, for example?

That being said, four bolt "minilites" are widely available and look good. The best wheels, IMHO, for rubber bumper cars are the "limited edition" wheels, if you can find them. Up until a few years ago, you could simply buy a set from Vicky Brit or Moss, but supplies seem to have run out. Be sure NOT to buy the similar but . . . not . . . quite . . . the . . . same Triumph Stag wheels.

From previous postings on this site, apparently the Rostyle supplier was not fastidious in its quality and the wheels were often not centered properly. I suspect this is what you're dealing with as well as pothole damage.
John Z

Randy-
Perhaps the highest quality Minilite-style wheel is the one offered by Panasport. The 14” Minilite weighs in at 16 lbs, 12 oz. and the 14” X 6” with 15mm offset Panasport weighs in at 12 lbs, 8 oz. Panasport also offers a 15” X 6” (15 lbs, 7oz.) wheel with 22mm offset. In addition, both 14” X 5.5” with 23mm offset and 15” X 5.5” with 19mm offset alloy reproduction Minilite wheels are available from Minotaur at 14 lbs, 4 oz. and 17 lbs, 8 oz., respectively.
Steve S.

Randy,
The list below are vehicles with 4.5 inch wheel spacing. The offset is unknown, so you should verify they will fit before purchasing.

Acura - Legend '86-'89
Acura CL 2.3/3.0
Acura TL 2.5
Buick - Special '61-'63
Chevrolet Corvair all 4-bolt
Chevy II all 4-bolt
Datsun/Nissan - most models to '89
Datsun 260Z, 280Z / ZX *, turbo '70-'85
Datsun 240Z * - needs chamfered nuts
Dodge Colt '79-'88
Dodge Colt (early)
Eagle Summit '86-'92
Falcon, Maverick, Granada all 4-bolt
Ford Mustang all '65-'68 4-bolt
Geo Metro '88-'98
Honda Accord '90+ except V6 Accord
Honda Prelude '92-'96
Infinity G20 '91-'94
Infinity M30 '90-'92
MGA, MGB
Mazda - 626, RX7 '83-'87 ????
Mazda 323 '86-'89
Mazda 626 '83-'87
Mazda RX-7 '84-'88
Mitsubishi Gallant '83-'97
Mitsubishi Mirage '88-'92
Nissan 200SX '80-'88 *
Nissan Altima '93-'98
Nova ('61-'70)
Olds - F-85 '61-'63
Plymouth - Arrow, Sapporo '79-'88
SAAB - 900 and 90 to '87 come in 5.5 x 15 or 6 x 15 *
SAAB - 9000 to '87 some will work *
Sprint '85-'87
Suzuki Swift '89-'98
Toyota - most exc. MR2 and P.U. to '89
Triumph TR 1..5
Mike Derderian

That is an interesting point about the centre hole not being in the centre.

If you change to 5 stud hubs then the Kent style alloy used by Jaguar on early XJSs and some XJ6s and 12s look wonderful on a B.

David
David Witham

Even more interesting is that while many tyre places will have the adapter for mounting a stud wheel by the stud holes they won't have the correct adapter for mounting a centre-lock wheel, and try to use the same taper cones on both sides of the wheel instead of using a reverse taper on the outside of the wheel. The result is much the same, I have been shown one of my wheels wobbling like billy-oh on the machine but it is fine on the car.
Paul Hunt

This thread was discussed between 02/08/2008 and 08/08/2008

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