Classic/Antique Car Repair: MGB Tires and Wheels..., minor fender, mgb roadster

Question
Dear Howard: I have a 1976 MGB roadster with "Rostyle" factory wheels, 5" I think. I want to fit the most effective size tire I can. I know the safe fit is 175/70/14 but can you recommend 185/70/14 or posibly 185/65/14? Thank you very much in advance. Michael Jay

Answer
Hi Michael,
The only trouble you run into fitting a larger tire to the standard narrow rim is that it deforms the tire and you don't get the benefit of the larger tire. As far as the fit to the body, you probably won't have much trouble except possibly the rear may rub the lip of the fender in a hard turn. Especially if your rear springs have sagged any and the shackle bushings are worn. I have worked on many MGBs over the years that have used larger tires with success and I have noted minor fender rubbing on some. It really depends on the rear suspension of your particular car, but you should be able to use a larger tire without much trouble. The front will not normally be a problem, it will be the top of the rear fender inner lip that may rub in a hard turn.

I had a customer who cut the inner lip off of the rear fender to gain clearance but I do not recommend that as that is the only connection of the inner and outer fenders and you would be asking for vibration cracks and rust on the edges. It is very difficult to bend the lip up without putting a kink in the outer fender. One guy at a recent car show had installed wide mags and wide tires and he had a body shop force the edge of the fender out a little to gain clearance. If I had tried it I probably would have kinked the metal but who ever did this one was able to gain a little clearance and the only way it was even noticeable was to look down the side for straightness and you could see a small wave in the fender area. There can't be any bondo under the paint in that area or it will crack for sure.

I have mag wheels on my GT with wide tires and they rubbed on hard turns so I flared the front and rear but that is a lot of work as there is an inner and outer fender to contend with. You can read what extent I went to on my web page about fender flares. http://www.mg-tri-jag.net/bod-mods.htm

If I were you and just wanted a little larger tire I would ask the tire company you are talking to. Also, you measure the width of your tires and the width of the tire you are wanting and check the clearance between the fender top and the tire with someone sitting on the rear fender.

Good luck, Sorry I can't give you a definite tire to run with.
Howard