HELP please! 5 1/2" wheels for rear. What size tyres?

Post by **Martinbrown** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 12:45 pm

Hi all have a bog std restored 1960 convertible. Used most days. I have bought 2 larger wheels for the rear.

I could go quite mad on the tyres but wondered what the issues would be?

What is the max size without modification?

Are there any real handling issues?

Don't want to look too street rod, just a little cooler if you see what I mean.

Thanks for any help.

Martin

Post by **superchargedfool** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 12:58 pm

what diameter wheels?

personally 175 wide

Post by **Martinbrown** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 1:17 pm

same as std so I guess at 13"? They are at the tyre shop so I will check.

Post by **bigginger** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 2:02 pm

Standard's 14"
a

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 7:11 pm

Maybe 175 x 70 x 14 - but the car is going to be quite unbalanced if you still have the skinny wheels/tyres at the front. Would be better to have same width of wheel and tyre all round.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 8:18 pm

on 5.5"s you can run happily with 165 to 185
Personally I'd go for 165 if you're keeping the standard front rims.
Don't be tempted to put 155's on the 3.5" front rims as this allows much more tyre roll (and is outside any working range the manufacturer's allow)

Post by **Packedup** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 8:55 pm

rayofleamington wrote:on 5.5"s you can run happily with 165 to 185
Personally I'd go for 165 if you're keeping the standard front rims.
Don't be tempted to put 155's on the 3.5" front rims as this allows much more tyre roll (and is outside any working range the manufacturer's allow)

Mine came with 155's, and all I can get round here is 155's (a local place keeps them in stock, presumably for Minors). Can't say I've noticed any sidewall flexing, but then with the current state of the suspension I probably wouldn't!

My Midget has 165/70/13 on the 4.5" rims, and the tyre rolling is very noticeable. But then the suspension is very direct and firm on that so you feel everything that's going on. I suspect the Minor tyres are at least as bad in terms of flex, but the soggy suspension stops me from noticing.

Post by **IslipMinor** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 9:57 pm

On 5 1/2" rims, assuming 13" dia, I would go for 165/80 x13 tyres. No problems with clearance. 155 on 5 1/2" rims can be a bit skittish and 185/70 x 13 (which I have) just rub the rear wing return on full bump in a straight line - if I had known this during the restoration I would have rolled the rear wing lips to give a bit more clearance.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 11:07 am

But your wheels and tyres do fill the arches very nicely Richard!
I find my 155 on skinny standard wheels are perfectly ok - but I do run them at 30 psi.

Post by **Martinbrown** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 4:27 pm

The car is back now and has 155/14/80 on the front. Does that change anyones view? Sorry I did not have this info before.
Martin

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 10:31 pm

Not really! Are the new wide wheels 13" or 14" ???

Post by **Kevin** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 7:54 am

Hi Martin I assume the new wheeels are the correct PCD 4" and not the modern 100mm as they are not suitable, and its a common mistake to make.

Post by **Martinbrown** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 8:32 am

Right with it now. They are 5 1/2" by 14"! Sorry I got muddled. The wheels are the right PCD, I confirmed with the supplier.

Martin

Post by **Kevin** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 8:45 am

Well I have 165's on 5J modern steel rims and they work fine even if steering is a little heavy at parking speeds.

Post by **honda90** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 12:04 am

I have 175/70 X 14 5.5 wheels on my ser II, steering a little heaver when parking but nothing noticeable, much better stability than my traveller/saloon with standard wheels.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 3:07 pm

Mine came with 155's, and all I can get round here is 155's (a local place keeps them in stock, presumably for Minors).

More likely they are stocked for Fiat Punto and VW Lupo.
145's are very unlikely to be stocked locally - which is why a number of Minor specialists do them by mail order.