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Wire wheel swap out

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slim1967

slim1967

Freshman Member
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Good Morning all,

I stumbled across a 67 (I believe)MG BGT with wire wheels mounted on it. I can get the car for between $300-$400. My question is: Can I simply swap these wire knockoffs for the factory steel wheels on my 73? If this car was fitted with wire wheels as originals, will it have a knock off adapter that can be popped onto my car and my wheels bolted right back onto this one?
 
You'd have to swap differentials. Width issues. Front hubs also.

It ~is~ "do-able" tho.
 
The other issue is the quality of the wire wheels themselves, the splines wear over time.
 
The easiest and best way to do the job is to swap the entire rear axle, along with the front hubs. As noted above, check the condition of the wheels and splines very carefully before proceeding so you don't waste your time and possibly have an accident.
 
Would it be similar dollar outlay to buy a set of Minilites or other non wire wheel that can utilize the knock off hub mounts? I have fancied a set of Dunlop steel racing wheels myself. Curious what the cost difference is between a swap out of running gear and a set of wheels/tires.
 
Silverghost said:
Would it be similar dollar outlay to buy a set of Minilites or other non wire wheel that can utilize the knock off hub mounts? I have fancied a set of Dunlop steel racing wheels myself. Curious what the cost difference is between a swap out of running gear and a set of wheels/tires.
Click to expand...

The only Dunlop steel racing wheels I know of were used on the Twin Cam MGA and they aren't spline drive wheels.

If you want spline drive knock offs you'll have to settle for the alloy wheels with splined adaptors (which are usually actually heavier than wire wheels).

No one should reuse splined components without carefully evaluating spline condition, and replacing hubs as needed.
 
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