It's important to remember that tire sizes have not remained the same.
A 155-14 back when radials first came out had an aspect ration of
approx. 82-85, which made it quite a bit taller than a comparable modern
tire.
Modern 185/70 tires have the correct radius, but I don't like them on
stock wire wheels because (a) no manufacturer rates their tires as safe
on a 4.5" wide wheel, and (b) every time I have driven on the
combination, I've noticed the suspension feels very mushy.
175/70 are a bit short for highway use, but work ok.
I'm currently running 175SR14 tires on stock wires and am pretty happy.
They are very slightly taller than stock, but give a good ride and just
a tad more relaxed highway ride.
For more info, check out the following article and tire fitment charts.
When I wrote the article I recommended the 175/70 tire (23.65" diam.),
but now I've revised my recommendation to the 175/80 tire (25.02" diam.)
which is closer to the typical original 5.60-14, 155/82 or 185/70 tires.
http://www.britishmotoring.net/bm0402/tire/tire.html
http://www.britishmotoring.net/bm0402/tire/tirecharts.pdf
Kelvin Dodd
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-mgs@Autox.Team.Net [mailto:owner-mgs@Autox.Team.Net] On
Behalf
> Of Max Heim
> Sent: Monday, May 07, 2007 8:00 PM
> To: MG List
> Subject: Re: [MGS] NEW TOPIC: tire sizes
>
> Most people today would consider 155R14 too small, and would
substitute
> 165R14 even with "OEM repro" tires. The 165/70-14 is going to be
smaller
> in
> diameter than the 165R14, as the 70-series tire is lower profile than
the
> original. This is why people recommend the 175/70-14 -- to get the
> diameter
> back closer to spec. Another approach would be a 175R14 -- this is
> actually
> taller, which increases ground clearance and decreases revs at speed,
> albeit
> inconsequentially. But the 175/70-14 is easier to find.
>
>
> --
>
> Max Heim
> '66 MGB GHN3L76149
> If you're near Mountain View, CA,
> it's the primer red one with chrome wires
>
>
> on 5/7/07 7:24 PM, dannyvarnado at dannyvarnado@cox.net wrote:
>
> > I have a friend who starting to work on car. He has asked me some
> questions
> > that I can not answer. Can some one on the list help him out?
> > Thanks,
> > Danny V. '58 MGA
> >
> > "I have started to do some comsmetic work on my 1970 B. the original
> tires
> > were 155R14 and replacement repros are more than I want to spend.
> > I have read that 175/70R/14 are a suitable substitute. What about
> 165/70R/14
> > as well. Federal Tires/Westlake and LingLong makes them.your
> suggestions
> > greatly appreciated.
> > I have wire rims which I am going to have sand blasted so I can
repaint
> them
> > myself, any suggestions on primer and finish paints for them.
> > thanks adolph"
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