T-Series MG TD Tire Size Question

[tony barnhill]

5.50x15 is the old pre-radial size tire that went on MG TD's....to what does that equate in modern radial tires? 155-15? 165-15? ? ? ?

 

[1965_MGB]

Should be 165-15. I know that the 14" variety of that size is impossible to find anymore, but not sure about the 15".

 

[Steve_S]

Look into Vredstein 165R15. They look the part.

 

[Rob_Edwards]

165R15s should be readily available -- it's the same size old VW bugs used. It's also the same size as MGC tyres.....

HTH!

 

[tony barnhill]

Re: Tire Size Question

I waa afraid ya'll were gonna say 165's....it has 4 new 155's on it right now - Vredstein's......hate to yank them & replace with 165's when all I need is 1 new one for a spare!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]Look into Vredstein 165R15. They look the part. [/QUOTE]

I can get the Vredstein in 155 also.

Think there's much diference betwen 15 & 165?

 

[Rob_Edwards]

According to this tyre size calculator:
https://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

...it's about 2.5% difference. Go with the 155s you already own!

 

[tony barnhill]

Good calculator, Rob...wish it would allow you to just use 165SR15 or 155SR15 instead of the middle figure....but, you're correct, a little over an inch difference in circumferance on most combinations....not enough to get rid of the tires already on it (unless somebody needs a new set of 155x15's)

 

[RJA]

Tony,

Go to Tires Unlimited In Ohio. They have the tire you need.
https://WWW.tiresunlimited.com. I use a 165/15 as my spare for my Austin healey BN4. I may be in the market for a MGBGT 1967 with overdrive in the near future.

Jerry Anderson
Hendrix Wire Wheel
https://WWW.hendrixwirewheel.com

 

[Steve_S]

155 will work fine. The main difference will be slightly less grip and a different look.

I know that car was sitting for a long time. If those tires are more than a few years old then I'd toss them anyway.

 

[Rob_Edwards]

.wish it would allow you to just use 165SR15 or 155SR15 instead of the middle figure.

Tires like 165SR15 have about an 82% aspect ratio -- call it 80% -- so you'd enter the tire size as if it was 165/80R15. That's what I did to come up with the 2.5% delta between 165 and 155....

HTH!

 

[tony barnhill]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]I know that car was sitting for a long time. If those tires are more than a few years old then I'd toss them anyway.[/QUOTE]
That's also a thought, Steve...they've been sitting inside for as long as I've owned the car...still have the little 'nubbies' on them as they're 0 mile tires...the original owner put them on when he finished the suspension/running gear restoration...they never lose any air & I can't see any dry rot so hate to just toss them; however....

 

[Steve_S]

The tires on my TC were virtually unused when I got the car but had been sitting for over ten years. They looked perfect, the nubs were all sticking out of the tread and there was no visible sign of wear. In the interest of safety I threw them in the garbage after a few test drives and spent $800 on new tires and tubes. The ride quality, grip and handling improved tremendously. Additionally, I've heard numerous reports of old tires that looked perfect suffering violent blowouts, usually sidewalls separating in a corner, and sometimes tread separating at speed. It isn't worth the risk for a couple hundred dollars.

Just my 2.34 cents USD.

 

[RJA]

Tony,

Check te date code on the tires, by whom where they manufactured. If Michelin, the company recommends replacement at 7-8 years. All others are safe upto 10 years.

Jerry Anderson
Hendrix Wire Wheel
Greensboro, NC
https://WWW.hendrixwirewheel.com
336-852-8909

 

[tony barnhill]

You guys are convincing me to buy new....I've had the car 7 or 8 years, maybe longer....no telling how long they were on it before that.

 

[MGADerek]

I've got several friends using the Khumo Powerstar 758 on their MGA's and TD's and they are very happy with them. And the price is right, at under $30 each. I second the recommendation to ditch the tires if they're more than a few years old. They might look fine, but the rubber ages and won't stick as well.

 

[tony barnhill]

So, today during lunch break from reassembling the TD I ordered 5 165-80R15 Khumo 758's....

...tomorrow afternoon I'll have them mounted & balanced...will get photos of them on car Monday.

Who needs 4 new "old" Vredestein 155SR15's?

 

[RJA]

Tony,

A very good choise. When I replace the Michelins this winter I am going with the Kumhos. (AH BN4 Longbridge)

Go to our web site https://www.hendrixwirewheel.com to see what we do with wire wheels.

Jerry Anderson
Hendrix Wire Wheel
Greensboro, NC 27403

 

[tony barnhill]

Nice site, Jerry!! Say, I have a set (5) of used 60-spoke Dayton's in a Jaguar bolt pattern I need to sell....lemme know if you hear of anybody wanting a pair.

 

[tony barnhill]

So, my Vredestein's were made the 17th week of 1990 & have never rolled on the pavement once!! Tire dealer couldn't understand why I was replacing "perfectly good tires" until he looked at the build date.

 

[Steve_S]

Yikes! That was disaster waiting to happen, for both man and machine.