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MG MG Y Type - Y-Tyre combinations

I am currently researching an option to change the diff ratio in my Saloon daily driver.

I intend to share with the register what I learn in the exercise, so I thought I should include all the possible wheel/tyre combinations that people might be using, so I can provide an RPM chart for everyone.

So attention everyone who uses anything other that the standard 525-16 Bias Ply.

I need to know the size (175/80R16 ?) and rolling circumference of your tyre. You can measure the rolling circumference by putting a chalk line accross the tread and rolling your car 1 revolution of the wheel on a smooth floor - the distance between the two white lines on the floor is the distance I need for the calculations.

I'd like to include 15" wheels, radials, bias ply - every combination known please.

Tony Slattery

Tony, I have been looking at the alternative tyres for the YA for some time, so that I will have the alternatives when I need to change my present cross-plies, which are getting old and have the information to hand.

Whilst the information is not from actual measuremants,but from published sources you would be welcome to it if you send me your email address.

The biggest problem is that radial tyres have a smaller rolling radius than same size cross plies, thus reducing the already low gearing.

Larger radials are available, at a price, but the standard 3 inch rims are too small for anything bigger than 5.5 inch tyres according to Vintage Tyre Supplies.

Modern steel wheels are common in 15 inch so some may fit the YB but 16inch are less common. I am keeping an eye out for suitable ones and at the moment think that the Vauxhall Vectra and Ford Mondeao may provide, but of course the offset and the wider tyres needed to keep at least the original radius may foul the bodywork. They are mainly the type with holes round the rim, but might look OK.

The problem will be th fit the hub caps. I do not have a lathe so studs for them may be a problem. However, there are many odd collar shaped nuts to fit machine screws so I would go to my friendly neighbourhood engineering sundrtsman and see if they have something suitable, and drill the wheels accordingly.

Quite by chance, I found that the steel emergency 15 inch wheel from my Mercedes C-class fits perfectly, on the front at least. With much greater offset and 190 section tyres, it does not appear to foul, so there muxt be hope for other modern wheels.

Michael Nicholson

15 inch tyres are cheap and easily available in the UK at £35 each, from Vintage Tyres. They were used on many post-war UK family cars of the 40-50-60s, ( Rootes, BMC, VW, etc.)

NC.
Neil Cairns

This thread was discussed between 22/11/2007 and 04/12/2007

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