What size wheels for a 1256 HB

[Bazz100]

My HB had the original engine replaced with a 1256 and I plan to put a progressive twin choke Weber (a 34DMTR which I already have) on as part of the restore/rebuild, with the twin downpipe exhaust from an SL90. Hopefully, this will provide a bit more power than the original setup. That said, I'm wondering about the pros and cons of staying with 12 inch wheels or going to 13's. I guess the 13's look nice, lose a little acceleration but provide a higher cruising speed (will those changes be tangible?). Anything else to think about (ignoring costs for the point of this discussion)?

Bazz

[pbottomley]

ability to turn the front wheels without them rubbing on inner wing

[hbpeter]

Speedometer reading incorrect. Imagine 13" tyres easier to get then 12" nowadays.

Peter

[Bazz100]

ability to turn the front wheels without them rubbing on inner wing

Won't the HB take 13 inch? I don't feel strongly either way, but the standard steel 12 inch wheels have lost their trims/cals and so I was thinking about Rostyles, having read a couple of threads on the forum about taking advantage of the fact that the MG Rostyles fit and are easier to find.

[oli8925]

Could always fit Rostyles with lower profile rubber, surely? Keep the same rolling radius as the standard HB 12's and they're not exactly wide either, so might fit under the arches?

[hbpeter]

The HB will take a 13", the GT had them. All depends on how original you want it to be, what the car will be used for etc. 12" hubcaps come up on ebay now and again.

Peter

[Graeme]

15" easily fit aswell.

[Bazz100]

Thanks for those various inputs. I am not too concerned about retaining the original appearance exactly, I would just like it to look "respectable"; shouldn't make the marque look bad! Reason for loosing the caps and trims was that I never used to have them on; the wheels were painted silver; common place in the 1970's.The caps and trims, the original 1159 engine and other bits were stashed in what I thought was a safe place; turned out not to be at all safe .

Just taking a quick look, there are clearly fewer tyre choices for 12 inch wheels than there used to be. Re possible use of MG Rostyles, I know the PCD is the same at 4.0 inch, but there are two other parameters which define a wheel's position relative the the hub; think one is 'offset'. Can anyone confirm for me that the MG Rostyles suit the HB in all of the requirements?

[michaelmate]

Forget about MGB rostyles , viva ones are just as easy to find and are just as cheap ! i could probly sort you a set if you want to collect ! 12" alloys are fairly easy to find as they are fitted to 100's of minis ( 4" pcd ) get a set with a nice offset for a dished look , or as already mentioned , 13 inch with a 60 series tyre is nigh on identical to a 12 " with an 80 series , as os . 13's with 70 series will touch a bit ! I have viva rostyles fitted with 185 / 60 x 13 tyres on my HB .
Hope this helps !

[Bazz100]

Thanks Michaelmate; I'm just about to depart on holiday, let me get back to you when I get home.

I think the other parameters besides PCD are offset and centre bore.