Tigers
The stock steel wheel was 4 1/2 J ie 4.5" wide where the tire fits (Factory
homologated rim width 116.5mm, rolling radius 11.5"). Optional Mag alloy
wheels were 127mm (5") or 140mm (5 1/2") as registered with FIA. Those are
the Minilites in all
the rally pictures, except in snow when they used narrow steel wheels.
When I fitted Pirelli CN36 185/70HR13 on 5 1/2" steel wheels, rolling
radius changed to 11.0". In about 1988 I was looking for Minilites to put
on the car. They were not
available but Brit manufacturer "GB" made some very similar. I had an
English buddy find out what fitted a Tiger and he sent me the 6" wide 6J13
H2's and I fitted Yoko 008's 205/60R13's. Price in '88 was 41 Brit pounds
ea plus $100 air ship for 4.
These tires have about 0.75" clearance from the rear springs and touch the
LR fender in spite of rolling the edge (no flare). Both are rolled so the
axle is off a bit. I would rather have an occasional touch than move
spring perches. Dave McDermott suggested adjusting the Panhard rod which
sounds like something to try. These are as wide as any tires I have seen
on a Tiger without flares.
Bill Rogers
----------
> From: Steve Laifman <laifman@flash.net>
> To: Jorquera, Mario <Mario.Jorquera@fhwa.dot.gov>
> Cc: N@HP-Andover-om3.om.hp.com; Tigers Den <tigers@autox.team.net>
> Subject: Re: Center hub knockoffs and tires that fit
> Date: Wednesday, September 03, 1997 12:07 AM
>
> Jorquera, Mario wrote:
>
> > I also have 175-70X13 Dunlops in front, and they touch
> > the bottom edge of the front quarter panel, below the
> > headlight, but only at large steering angles and only in
> > reverse! This goes to show what strange things the
> > Tiger's unique front suspension will do under load! In
> > the rear, I have plain 175X13s, and these touch the
> > outside lip of the fender, but only when I go over large
> > bumps or "whop-de-do's." With only these minor
> > annoyances, these seem to be the largest tires that will
> > fit without significant fenderwell modifications.
> >
> > I hope this helps.
> >
> > Mario
> > B 9471239
>
> Mario,
>
> With a VIN so close to mine (1050 different), I felt I should help.
> I have Michelin X 185x70x13's. A bit larger than your size. These were
> installed by the PO on American Racing 8 spoke original dealer option.
> They have screw-on thread knock-offs, with the '60's style octagonal
> shape. The knock-off shape was ruled illegal after a policeman was
> "knicked" by an ear of a passing wire wheel. I really don't believe this
> story, as anyone that close to the car could be torn apart by a myriad
> of other bit's and pieces, including fender mirrors. Which, by the way,
> were required to be spring-loaded in the early '60's as well. I was able
> to find a source for new screw-on knock-offs with two curved ears, three
> straight ears, and three curved ears. I bought a set of the later,
> because that was the original shape before the ears were laid in towards
> the spokes. The Alpine wheels used this 3 spoke in-leaning design in the
> later 60's.
>
> Regarding fit, scrub, and "whoop-de-do's", the PO had neatly taken care
> of 3/4 of the problem. In the front, he had the forward bottom edge of
> the fender curled inward so the "point" of the wheel arch and lower
> fender edge moved inward and forward. This prevented tire scrub. On the
> rear, he had removed the excess lip of the fender/inner wheel well seam.
> The fender lip is welded to the inner panel, and the horizontal
> protusion of the fender lip was scrubbing the sidewall of the tire on a
> two-passenger road dip on the freeway. Kept blaming my wife, cause it
> only happened when she was with me ({8->). My Queen said "We are NOT
> amused". In looking it over, only the right hand side scrubbed. I
> measured the clearances and thought the axle wasn't centered, because
> the clearances were different. Turns out the PO had trimmed the left
> side only. Steve Alcala trimmed back the right side excess fender lip,
> with a die grinder, till the fender lip matched the wheel-well lip. This
> cured the problems. So, even with my 1/2 inch negative offset wheels and
> 185x70x13 tires it holds. Good size for highway use, as it gives more
> mph/1000 rpm. Still small enough to get rubber in third.
>
> Hope this helps. My thanks to Steve Alcala for his good work.
>
> Steve
>
>
> --
> Steve Laifman < One first kiss, >
> B9472289 < one first love, and >
> < one first win, is all >
> < you get in this life. >
>
>
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