I read the digest version of the list, so I am catching up here. Pardon the
delay.
There was a question about what it takes to put wire wheels on a TR.
TeriAnn's answer was good, but I have a couple comments. I have converted
several of my TRs to wire wheels or back to solid wheels.
SNIP
>Take off your steel wheels
>put the hubs on over the lug nuts
>Put the special wire wheel nuts on the lugs over the hub.
>Cut the lugs short so only a thread or two sticks out from the nuts.
>remove the nuts & hubs & run a die down the lugs to clean the threads
>replace hubs and nuts
>grease hub splines with a high temp grease
SNIP
Yes, the wire wheels require studs that don't protude much beyond the short
"olive" nuts. In order to most easily go back to dish wheels, I like to
avoid cutting off the studs.
The front rotors have studs that are relatively easy to swap. Requires
removal of the rotor from the hub (therefore, caliper).
The rear studs are more difficult to swap, since they are peenned (sp?) over
on the back side. Swapping entire half-shafts (if you have the spares) is
easiest.
I suggest use of 1/4 inch (or whatever the necessary thickness) wheel
spacers to effectively "shorten" the studs.
>Using a lead hammer, not copper, pound the living daylights out of the
>knockoff untill it refuses to turn any more.
I agree on the lead hammer. I caution against over-tightening of your
knockoff spinners. Can cause mushrooming of the back cone on the wheel.
I consider wire wheels to be fairly robust and and not prone to sudden
catastrophic
failure. Listen to your spokes. Strike them with your finger and listen
for a dull tone. Identifies loose spokes, if any.
There were also comments that 155 tires look puny on a TR3. I contend that
they were meant to look that way. I recall a friend years ago had a Lotus
something-or-other that came originally with 135 X 15 Michelins. This was
the model of Lotus with inboard brakes (and an IRS) to minimize unsprung
weight. These _really_ looked puny, but that was the proper look.
Coker Tire still lists Michelin 155 X 15s (as well as 145s and 135s) as
"coming in 96". They list that they are Xs; I assume the original ribs on
the sidewall edge. Great looking, IMHO.
I know some LBC folks who avoid tires that are too wide, because the wider
tires also increase unsprung weight.
The other benefit of 155 tires on a TR3 is that they fit _much better_ in
the spare tire slot.
Realize these opinions come from somebody who currently has 225 Goodyear
Gatorbacks (on 72 spoke wires) on his street TR3! Yes, they rub a little,
but not much. And my tandem axle trailer's wire wheels have held up well
for the last 15 years. (well, they _are_ MGB wheels)
Bruce, my condonences (sp?) on the purchase of the TR7. I know that Suffolk
Used Auto Parts recently acquired a TR7, that didn't look bad. It's a DHC.
Has 4 rather good looking original alloy wheels on it, if you are
interested. Let me know if you would like me to check on what they want for
them, etc.
Keith Edwards
Suffolk, VA
kedwards@norfolk.infi.net
2 TR3Bs
2 TR4As
1 Austin-Healey 100
1 Austin Princess Vanden Plas limo (For Sale)
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