MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGA - Original tyre size and fit

Greetings to all,

What a wonderful web site and service! So many questions.....so many willing to help out! Wow!
Update: My coupe body tube is coming home from the body shop. It's been a long process as the "attachables" have been completed for months and I've been anxious to begin to process of putting it all back together. Now the truly "fun" part starts. Gone are the days of grinding rust, welding, scraping and knuckle busting. I'm sure many days of cussing still lay before me. However, new parts that screw. Shiny stuff. The smell of leather. And a sense, at least, that a corner has been turned.

Anyway, my question relates to the original tyre size. The workshop manual lists it as "5.60-15". I think a current equivalent size is 155R/15? The reason I question this is because, while that is indeed the size tyres which came on the car when I purchased it, that tyre will not easily fit in the trunk as it will not snug under the tyre bracket. I can make it fit, but it is not easy. I had thought that 145R/15 was more the correct size. But now I'm not sure which way to go. I want to fit the car with a wide whitewall. Any ideas? Cheers!
Robert Maupin

Tire sizes aren't all completely identical. Coker Tire sells 560-15 with both wide and narrow whitewall. They also have 155R15, although only in black, and 165R15 in wide and narrow whitewall.

I'm not sure who else I'd go to for whitewalls, but I've not thought much about it. They might also have some advice about what fits in the spare slot in an MGA. I've never really tried to fit anything in there myself, but I'm sure it would have to be a narrow tire.
Dave McCann

I have just replaced the tyres on my MK2 coupe -I went with 155 r15 on tubeless wires -I bought Vredenstein Classics and the spare fits the boot OK
Paul
P D Camp

True, the 165R15 is a tight fit and although it takes a bit of persuading you can get the clamp to hold it down. The tire cover does not fit as well as it would on a 5.60-15 but it doesn't look bad either. I run 165R15s on the 57 and think it looks fine in the boot.
David Holmes

You could always use a smaller size tire for a spare say 145, just a thought, Vin
Vin Rafter

I partially deflate my spare (165R15) so that it fits comfortably in the bulkhead hole. However, I am not totally stupid, I do carry a pump. Also, once it is in the bulkhead hole and clamped I often inflate it back to normal pressure as it's easier pulling the tyre out than pushing in.

Steve
Steve Gyles

I was wondering how the 145R/15 compaired to the
5.60-15, width wise. I see some 4.5 inch wire wheels for sale on the internet, which can take the wider 155 size tire. However, the narrower rim has to be fitted with tubes. Has anyone encountered problems with these or from runing tubed tires? Cheers!
Robert Maupin

I have always run with tubes without problem. The only issue I have ever encountered with MGA wheels is balancing them. They do not fit well on standard wheel balancing machines and I have previously had indifferent results. Fortunately, my local supplier in the UK, Bob West, has adapted his balancing machine with an MGA hub. The result is total vibration free driving throughout the speed range.

Steve
Steve Gyles

The stock 4 inch wide wheels can accept up to 165 width tires (upper limit). Wider wheels (4-1/2) would be better for the 165's but not absolutely required.

The metric radial tires are slightly lower profile than the old bias ply tires. So, 165R13 is about the same diameter as 5.60-15. 155 is similar size to 5.60. 145 would be smaller than original issue bias ply tires (right size for MG midget with 13" wheels).
Barney Gaylord

I spoke to a fellow at Coker Tire. They still sell the 5.60/15 tires. However, those are bias-ply as original. He said they have three versions/brands, manufactured by Firestone, Silverstone and their in-house brand Coker. Has anyone run bias-ply tires on their cars? Radial vs. bias-ply? These bias-plys have whitewall widths from 2 1/4" to 2 3/4". Comments welcome and apprecaited! Cheers!
Robert Maupin

I assume that you are running steel wheels? If you decide to run inner tubes, be sure to remove all the mylar inspection stickers from inside the tire carcus before installation. They will slice into the tubes in short order. The edges of the stickers are sharp, and the adhesive they use intentionally softens the rubber.
Chuck Schaefer

I use the Firestone 155R15, which fits on the steel wheels fine, and also in the spare wheel slot in the bulkhead.
dominic clancy

Robert,

I ran bias-ply tires on my A in the '60s and '70s. I wouldn't go back. Radials handle better, ride better, and last longer.

Ken
k v morton

I ran 5.60-15 bias ply wide whitewalls on my 1600 for fifteen years. The only negative I found to running bias plys is their inherent tracking. The bias plys tracked any groove in the pavement and when you least expected it to. It took some getting used to. I really enjoyed how they cornered and it made for some exciting driving but the radials are much better, offering better grip in fast cornering. I do miss the drift from time to time but then again I appreciate the added safety of the radials. I would not go back to bias plys.


David Holmes

David,
Get a bubble in your radial and it will behave just like the bias plys. You won't miss that drift for very long, I guarantee.
Mike Parker

I ran bias ply tires on my first MGA back in the 70s. I never really compared the difference because that is what I had/could afford. I really enjoyed sliding the car around the corners. Drifting was fun! Felt fast even if it wasn't. When I finished my next car in the late 80s I used radials as the bias ply were history so to speak. The radials work so much better there is no comparison. But alas no more sliding around. The radials are faster smoother and safer.
I run Kumho 165 15s now. The spares are old 155 15s so they fit better. Never had a spare on the ground.
R J Brown

This thread was discussed between 26/01/2010 and 27/01/2010

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.