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MG MGB Technical - Weird Wheels - Alloys Next?

I'm sick of the balance problems with the steel disk wheels on my '67 BGT. I converted the car to bolt-on wheels because I didn't want the hassle of maintaining wire wheels, but now I'm finding it impossible to maintain the steel wheels. I had them balanced a month ago, and all the balance weights have disappeared. Well, except for one wheel. I took a close look at the wheels and I think I know why. The lip, which is supposed to have a J-shaped profile, does not curl over far enough to keep the weights from flying off. Except on the one wheel that still has the weights in place.

So I'm looking for replacements. I called Stockton Wheel and Diamond Racing Wheels, but neither seemed eager to take the centers out of my steel wheels and weld them into new rims.

After my experiences, I don't fancy used wheels. I'm not keen on the Minilite look, but it seems these are the only new wheels available that have been fairly well documented for use with the MGB.

Are there any other possibilities? Thanks. -G.
Glenn G

Stockton is known for rim replacements. I'd be surprised if they blinked an eye at such a common task.
Steve Simmons

I can think of a couple.

One is to use stick on weights, as used on alloys. They'd go on the back side and not be visible, either. Another is to put on a trim ring, and use a little styrofoam sheeting material (soft and light) to help hold the weights in place.
John Z

Glenn,

there are also glued wights available that use a resistand strip of adhasive tabe on the back. They must be positioned in the rim, not clamped to th J-profile.

I use this type of whights on my Roadster and the V8 since many years an never lost one.

May be you should ask for this version first.


Ralph
Ralph

Are you sure the local kids aren't removing them?
It was a bit of a fad at one stage locally . The little SOB's would prize them loose. Caught them in the act a couple of times. God only knows what they were doing with them. The local wheel balancing guy never had it so good, for a while there.
We all dribbled supa glue on them, which seemed to fox them, or the fad passed.
Peter Sherman

Hi Glenn,
there are alternatives:
you have to match the bolt pattern (from memory--you should double check: 4 bolts x 4.5inches)
some options are wheels from:
old datsuns and nissans
old saab alloys
and aftermarket wheels such as American Racing Libre, or cosmic. I have compiled a small batch of pictures of MG's with different wheels on them so I could get a feel for looks...If you want I can email a couple.

good luck,
-J
jjralston

They're called mag wheel weights. They're flat and about 3/4 of an inch wide with a thin white adhesive lined foam backing. They stick onto the drum part of the wheels.
BurgerCokeFries

Glenn

You might also consider one of the dry powder balancing products that are available. Take a look at www.innovativebalancing.com/index.html and www.imiproducts.com/equal/tire-balancing.aspx.

I am sure that I have seen this in the archives but cannot find it now.

Anyone have experience with this type of wheel balancing system?

Larry
72BGT
Larry Hallanger

Thanks all for the suggestions. I just called Stockton Wheel again and got a much more sensible person, and I'm planning to send them a wheel and see how it comes back. If it checks out o.k., I'll send them the rest of the wheels. I don't know who answered the phone the first time I called them, but on reflection, it must have been a disgruntled worker. He didn't know anything and was not very pleasant to talk with.

Stockton will remove the centers from the disk wheels and weld them into 15x6" rims, keeping the offset the same. I'll try the test wheel on the car and make sure the clearances and runout are o.k.

I don't know what the kids in Melbourne are smoking, but I'm pretty sure my wheel weights flew off on their own, because I heard them hit the bodywork on more than one occasion.

It may seem like overkill to get new rims, but I've measured the lateral runout at .060" on a couple of the wheels. That is the maximum specified, and too much for my taste. Besides, it's impossible to find the correct tires for 14x4" rims.

Larry, on the in-tire balancing material, I believe it works well on high-profile vintage tires and truck tires. The manufacturers don't recommend it for modern car tires, which are lower and wider. -G.
Glenn G

I've got the original disk wheels on my 65. I did get a special lifetime balancing at Wheel Works...a tire chain in California and have had no trouble with vibration or balancing weight loss. Supposedly their equipment is designed to handle high runout like we get on these old wheels.

That said I think you're taking the correct route if you want the original wheel look. That way you can get modern tires and I think the newer rims have better design for gripping tubeless tires.

I'd be curious how this worked out and what it cost. I'd consider the same for my car.
Robert McCoy

Glenn, that is EXACTLY what I was planning to do at one point with my wheels, both for the extra width and for the 15" diameter. If you don't mind, can you provide photos of the wheel they modify for you next to an original? I would love to see how it looks.

THe other option I was considering was using TR-6 wheel centers which are already 15" with new rims from Stockton, welded on at the proper offset.
Steve Simmons

Glenn-
I agree that you're making the right move in re-rimming your wheels. I did the same thing with the wheels on my 1972 midget so that I could mount tires with a more modern configuration, yet still use the original chrome hubcaps. Looks original, but better performance all around. No regrets.
Steve S.

I will report back the results and try to post comparison photos. -G.
Glenn G

''Are you sure the local kids aren't removing them?
It was a bit of a fad at one stage locally . The little SOB's would prize them loose. Caught them in the act a couple of times. God only knows what they were doing with them''

Fishing weights. As a kid, used to find it very handy that my father kept a stock of fishing weights on his wheels, that came off easy, were lead so soft enough to bend and make holes through. And better still, they kept magically reappearing on his wheels.

For some reason he didnt see it that way when I got caught. Just not into fishing I guess.

Mick
mick

I use Keystone Mags from a mid sixties Mustang 6 cyl.
Off set had to be worked with a little. I used a wire wheel rearend and that took care of it.

Steve
Steve

Glenn: Here is a picture of the wheels I had Wheel Vintiques make for my ZA Magnette. They are 15" x 6" fitted with 205-65x15 Dunlop tires. I will be trying them on my MGB-GT soon to see if they will work.



John Perkins

John, that's a cool car! It just looks a bit more stable, doesn't it?
Tom

Many, many years ago I thought of having
someone punch out the centers of my Rostyles
and weld them on 15"x6" rims.

It turned out that the OD of the Rostyle wheel center
was slightly smaller than the ID of the new bare
steel rims and so it the work was never done.

That company has since gone out of business
and now I often wonder if it can be done today.
Daniel Wong

"Are you sure the local kids aren't removing them?
It was a bit of a fad at one stage locally . The little SOB's would prize them loose. Caught them in the act a couple of times. God only knows what they were doing with them"

I have a problem like that. A funny little habit. A compulsion really. Anytime I see a lead wheel weight on the side of the road I HAVE to pick it up. Seriously I have three of them in my pocket now, a small pile of them on my desk at work (see photo) and a tin full of them at home.

I have no idea what I am going to do with them either. Melt them down into one giant, lead ingot at some point I guess.

Simon
Simon Jansen

Simon - perhaps you could use the exhaust from your world famous beer cooler.

(Now here's a poser for you - how would you generate electricity from such a device? Yes, I know it would be wasteful - but still. . . Note: Volvo created a hybrid concept about 15 years ago using a turbine engine to generate electricity to recharge a battery pack. As they used reduction gearing and a cast housing, the powerplant was quite heavy. Is there anything from the breaker's that might be used?)
John Z

Lead weights are now banned in Germany because of the environmental problems - the weights tend to get lost. They now use zinc or steel weights instead.

If only we had you here, Simon, to collect them for us! Problem solved.

Mike
Mike Standring

There is a bus running about Auckland city that is a gas turbine/electric hybrid. Would love to take that apart to see how it works!

I am always amazed I never find the stick on lead weights, just the ones that clip over the rim. I had my minilite type wheels balanced and they used the stick on kind but they all fell off when the wheels were in storage!

If you are using stick on weights make sure the surface you're sticking them onto is really clean would be my advice.
Simon Jansen

This thread was discussed between 10/01/2008 and 17/01/2008

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