MGB Biggest 15 inch tire for 80 MGB

[R6MGS]

I should be getting an 80 MGB for winter use and I have a set of old custom mags from an MGA that should fit(right??) that are 15 inch(I figure the bigger wheels won't hurt in the snow). I wanna get some big meaty snow tires for them but I need to know what is the largest 15 inch tire that will fit on a stock 80 MGB without rubbing?? Anyone running anything big like that?
Thanks

 

[billspohn]

You don't say what width or offset the mags are. Generally speaking a 185x60 is probably the largest, but you may get rubbing at the rear of an MGB.

BTW, you often get better traction in the snow with narrow tires, than with wide ones.

 

[R6MGS]

I don't know the offset or width offhand....The rims are burried under alot of junk. And I realize narrower is usually better in snow,but I don't want like pizza cutters....a 185 is still pretty dang narrow and thats about what I was thinking would work best as well.

 

[Steve_S]

I have 195/60R15 on 5.5" rims fit to a '65 B, but the alignment of early Bs is typically better than later ones. Plus I have poly bushings and heavy duty wire wheels.I've heard of cars with 205/60 fit but I believe they have gone to extra lengths to center the rear axle precisely.

 

[R6MGS]

Ok, thanks....I guess once I get the car(assuming the owner gets her ownership issues sorted out so that I can actually buy it :S) I'll try the rims with the old tires that are on there and see how much room I've got...Would it be tighter in the rear or up front??

 

[billspohn]

The problem is the rear fender lips.

 

[PAUL161]

Saw a "B" at the last show that had 185/65-14s on it with after market wheels and it had plenty of clearance in the wells and looked very nice. Notice I said 14s not 15s.

 

[WA1KWA]

When my B was an autocross beater I ran 195/60 x 14 on the Rostyles.

They JUST cleared the wheel opening lip.

Colin

 

[billspohn]

I run 185 x 70 - 15s on my MGC on 5.5" wires, but I'd repeat that you will have better traction (which I would have thought would be your primary concern, over appearance) with a 165 x 70-15 or an equivalent 14" size.

 

[R6MGS]

Thanks for the input guys....I am waiting until I pick up the car on Sunday to decide for sure, but I am pretty sure the tires on it were new-ish So I may just leave it alone and go with that....Depending on how it performs in the snow I'll look into putting on these mags and some snow tires. I doubt the mags could handle too wide of a tire anyway given that they were supposedly custom made for an MGA, so they're probably pretty narrow rims.