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Wire wheel swap

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Tim66

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I am purchasing a 1977 MGB parts car. It has wire wheels. My '72 does not. Does anyone know if I can swap the 77's wire wheels and hubs with the 72's steel wheels and hubs?

Tim
 
The rear axle is a different width. The hubs will go on the rear but fender clearance and small rear tires may be a issue. I think 77 was the first year for the wire wheels having more offset to the outside also. Maybe 1/4 inch. Also adding to the mess! You can change out the complete diff but the attach point for the brake line will need to be welded on from your old diff or just a flat steel piece welded on. The sway bar mounts will not be in the way. And no its not easy to put a 77 sway bar onto a early car. The body has mounts that are not easy to replicate. In case you were gouing to ask that question next! I hope this helps. Bob
 
Bob, not only does it help you saved me some money. I just called the guy I bought the '77 from and told him the wire wheels were too much of a hassle to change and he said he'd give me my money back (the car is still in his garage.) Thanks again. Very much appreciated!

Tim
 
YOu can switch a wire wheel MGB to bolt, using the same rear end housing, on the rear you need longer studs, they are some that will just knock on, and a bout .300" wheel spacer, several guys including myself have done this and documented over at the MGBex site. But here the catch, you can't go the othert way, meaning putting wire wheels on bolt rear housing, if you going that way, it a entrire rear end housing swap.
 
Tim, If you search the UK ebay site i think there are vendors selling rear hubs that sit further in than the standard ones. IF...thats the case then you can just buy 4 hubs and a set of wires to do the switch. Maybe worth doing some research on that site. Bob
 
Thanks Bob and Hap. Very useful information.

Tim
 
Bob is correct & so is Hap -but without the correct rear rear spacer (& the driver side has to be thicker than the passenger side because MGB rear ends are offset to one side & your wheels will not fit the body correctly without exact spacers......& you might have tire size problems with some tires.....I've found it's easier to just swap rear ends instead of all the modifying/playing with the steel rear end to make wires look correct.....sawpping a rear end & park brake cable takes about 2 hours.
 
Tony, the car came with an extra set of almost new steel wheels that I believe are correct for the 72 model. I'll go with those. I just like wire wheels and thought it would be a simple task to swap the hubs and wheels out from the 77 parts car. Would installing wires and hubs from another 72 be a difficult or involved job? Thanks for the additionally helpful info.

Tim

BTW having done most of my posting and reading on a certain Jaguar forum it is refreshing to not see rudeness or nit picking on this one: just helpful information.
 
Easiest/best way to change any MGB from wire to steel or vice versa is to swap out the entire rear end & the front hubs.....IMO
 
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