To throw my .02 in, I swapped the steel wheels on my 'B to wires a
few years ago. All my original wheels were shot, so I bought a new
set. I drove the car for quite a few miles, about 9 months, and I
drove it like I would've any other car.
Basically, I didn't drive like I was on eggshells. I had beefy
tires on my 'B, so I didn't worry about bending a rim on a pothole.
Of course, I never autocrossed the car either, but it did see some
'spirited' driving on occasions.
It's really a matter of taste, I guess. I will say that wires will
hold up to almost anything regular driving can dish out. Most shops
that do custom wheels will have a machine that grips the wheel by
the rear rim to install the tire to avoid damage to the wheel. You
can get tubes, and any new tire will work, but retreads are frowned
upon.
Anyway, it's up to you. Don't be fooled by the delicate look of
wire wheels - they'll handle most anything you can dish out.
Mike Lishego
http://www.mgb.bc.ca/virtualgarage/
1991 Mazda Miata
1986 Plymouth Turismo T1
1984 Mazda RX-7 GSL-SE
1974 MGB
Asheboro, North Carolina
-----Original Message-----
From: Dave Quirt <quirt@sk.sympatico.ca>
To: mgs@autox.team.net <mgs@autox.team.net>
Date: Tuesday, January 25, 2000 10:18 PM
Subject: Re: Steel wheel to wire wheel conversion
>I've gone both ways on both MGAs and MGBs. The decision is one
based on
>looks versus practicality. I prefer wires but sometimes steel
wheels (or
>alloys) are the better choice - right Skye!!! Cost-wise, Phil is
right,
>new wheels are not inexpensive. That said, I have yet to buy a new
wire
>wheel. Many used 60 spoke MGA wheels (eg. from TR4/4A,
Ausin-Healey,
>etc.) are still straight and tight or can be made so quite
>inexpensively. And I would never put a standard 48 spoke wire wheel
on a
>MGA - the 60 spoke was optionally available from new and is a much
>better looking and robust wheel. But YMMV, etc.
>
>Dave Q.
>MGAs & MGBs
>TR3A
>XK150S etc.
>
>> From Phil Bates:
>> You'll probably have 100 people tell you this (unless they are
all too burnt out on it to say anything) - just don't do it. Read
the archieves if you have time, but the bottom line is that it is
expensive, the wheels are weaker, the wheel supply is mediochre, and
almost no one mounts and balances tires properly on a wire wheel.
All you get is asthetics, and at quite a price (if you want
originality, it is actually an entirely different rear axle that has
to be fitted to the car, but you can adapt a standard axle with the
right parts). Figure approx.$1500 for a full conversion done as
cheaply as possible with new parts - you may save a little if you
were to buy used, but it isn't worth going used. That said, I do
have wires on my MGB, and I converted to them. I don't think I'd do
it again. <
>
>
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