Wheels and tyre dilema

[johnconradlee]

Having sold my Brown Mk2 "Denty Dorris the Ducktape Duchess" I'm currently in the middle of getting "Lulu" my newly re-aquired Green Mk1 2000 on the road (there's a long storey behind this which I'll probably send in as an article for Six Appeal at some stage). The dilema is that all the tires are perished so I need new tires so; do I buy new tires for the standard 1966 steelies or do I get the damaged set of gold Ally Cats (which I bought very cheaply with the intention of fitting to the the old car) repaired and put new tyres on those. The Ally Cats are 14×7J (which with the correct PCD probably makes them as rare as hens teeth). The car is not entirely original (sun roof, electric fan, negative earth etc...) so I don't think I'll upset too many people with whichever my wheel choice.
Can anyone see any potential problems with going with the wider rims?
Also can anyone advise on tyre sizes and which wheel nuts will I need?

[englishbull]

Hiya

well correct tyre sizes for the standard 13" wheels are very limited and probably only available in commercial.

So you would probably be best to go with the Alley Cats as will have a far better tyre choice.

Cannot see any potential problems going on wider rims so long as you use the correct tyre sizes. I have a MK1 PI that as TR6 rims on and other have fitted upto 17" without any problems.
CRAJ as more knowledge on this,as I believe he as posted about this before.

I would not worry about upsetting people with regards to any mods to your car because at the end of the day it is your car whilst you are the custodian of it and therfore have the right to do whatever you wish. Plus it is also keeping another of our cars on the road...............which is a bonus

Re the wheelnuts try this guy.
http://www.mistertee.co.uk/

[CAR]

Having sold my Brown Mk2 "Denty Dorris the Ducktape Duchess" I'm currently in the middle of getting "Lulu" my newly re-aquired Green Mk1 2000 on the road (there's a long storey behind this which I'll probably send in as an article for Six Appeal at some stage). The dilema is that all the tires are perished so I need new tires so; do I buy new tires for the standard 1966 steelies or do I get the damaged set of gold Ally Cats (which I bought very cheaply with the intention of fitting to the the old car) repaired and put new tyres on those. The Ally Cats are 14×7J (which with the correct PCD probably makes them as rare as hens teeth). The car is not entirely original (sun roof, electric fan, negative earth etc...) so I don't think I'll upset too many people with whichever my wheel choice.
Can anyone see any potential problems with going with the wider rims?
Also can anyone advise on tyre sizes and which wheel nuts will I need?

Well the first potential problem could be the offset of the 14x7 Alleycats, are they originally for a Triumph or maybe a Datsun 240z which has more capacity in the arches and hence wilder offsets?
Has your mk1 got the original narrow rear track, as conversion to mk2 spec could make 14x7s a no go!
175/80/13s are available if you are lucky and prepared to search, be careful with load ratings and speed ratings, as Lee says you don't want commercial or trailer tyres.
Lets see some pics of the alleycats too please.

Colin

[johnconradlee]

These are the wheels:

14×7J Ally Cats

I was told by the chap I bought the wheels from they came from a Mitsubushi Colt Sapporo Mk1. Having scoured the internet for a picture of one, this sounds plausible this one appears to be wearing the same wheels, although not in the same gold paint.

The suspension is, as far as I'm aware completely standard, so will have the original 1966 spec narrower back axle. The offset looks on first inspection like it might be about right, although I suppose the only way to tell is to try them on the car.
Today I started the engine for the first time since I replaced the rubber sections in the fuel line, so tomorrow I might try some wheels on.

[firstmk1]

hi,
here's a couple of mine. they are 6j x 13 though.
bit to far away really.

steve.

[tony]

Most early Jap rear wheel drive 14" wheels with the correct PCD will fit ok. I've used Mitsi Sigma rims in the past.
Got some you could have if you fancy a trip to New Zealand
Tony.

[johnconradlee]

Right, well I've tried a wheel on. On the front it is very slightly closer, I reckon by about a quarter of an inch at most to the suspension turret than the standard wheels.

.
On the outside of the wheel it looks ok too.

On the back it clears all the suspension fine.

Looking down the side of the car it looks like it will clear the rear wheel arch, although I think it will be quite tight.

Wheel nuts look like they are a standard 60° so just need longer ones to get the socket on to. Will need to obtain/make some center caps at some stage too, but that's not a priority.

So I suppose the next stage is to get the one slightly dodgey wheel repaired. Can anyone suggest some reputable names that do structural alloy wheel repairs?

[murcod]

I've got 15x7" ET15 rims with 205/55R15 tyres on my MkII (which is apparently wider in track at the rear than your MkI?)

I have rolled the lip in the guards to prevent any rubbing, but the info might give you an idea of what you might be able to fit with no guard rolling.

As for originality, from my observations, nobody on here seems to get upset with any type of mod. (Which is refreshing.)

[beaver]

I vote for the alley cats, they should fit fine.

I have 15x8.5" on the rear and 8" on the front (both with 205/50R15) of my mk2 estate.