1990 +8 alloy to wire wheel conversion?

[2winscrew]

Hi Folks,

I stumbled over this forum while googling around looking for insight on swapping my alloy wheels over to chrome wires on my 1990 +8. So I signed up.

Wondering if any of you have done this, and could offer any advise.

I live in Toronto Canada so the subject of swapping wheels on a Morgan isn't one that will get a lot of answers on my local Mustang forum.

Been doing some research and have the following questions:

1) Would it be more prudent to work through the Morgan factory on this conversion, or is the Dayton wheel option the way to go? I would imagine the Dayton route would be a bit less expensive?

2) Going from the 5-bolt hub to the center spline...how involved is this modification? The adapters shown on the Dayton site look like they simply bolt on to the existing hub...but that doesn't make sense because it stick out way too far IMO. Am I getting into brake modifications here as well....assuming the current discs and drums are not proper for the center spline?

3) With regard to the 5th wheel on the back....is there an adapter needed there as well?

4) Assuming due to the year of the car (and the wheel offset) that I have to go with a 15" wheel (that's all Dayton lists for the +8), and cannot go with the newer 16" wheel on the current 6cyl Roadster?

I appreciate any help you could offer.

I realize the alloys are considerably lighter...and that the wires will add some unsprung weight...but IMO the chrome wires are just begging to be on the car....I'm currently in the process of turing the engine bay into a bit of a jewelry box and when finished, the wire wheels will be a must.

car currently has 39,000 kms on the 3.9l...got an RPI full exhaust installed last year (headers were ceramic coated locally)...RPI chrome valve covers....we removed the upper plenum this Spring and polished it up like a mirror (not sure how to post a pic...it looks real nice)...I've just ordered a new alternator, water-pump, timing cover, t-stat housing, Ron Davis aluminum radiator, (all will be polished to a mirror finish before install) and we're going with a proper upper rad hose with AN fittings....I've also got a polished stainless airbox from the factory sitting here as well.

So the wheel swap is likely next on the list

I've been corresponding with Verity Norman at the factory with regard to many of the above parts, but have yet to start the conversation about the wheel swap.

Sorry for the small novel.

Cheers

Tim

[rodschwarz]

I can't answer all questions.
If you ordered a Roadster (or in the past a +8) from the MMC you would not get 16" wheels only but wider wings too. Therefore the factory wheels (16") are not an option for you. I know most Morgan owners in Germany who wanted to swap wheels chose Dayton. Maybe there are other alternatives. Have you tried www.gomog.com?
http://www.gomog.com/panel/response13.html

Edited by rodschwarz on Saturday 8th November 17:08

[2winscrew]

thanks Rod

yes...I've read every page of Gomog

was hoping that someone on the forum here had actually done this..

Dayton looks like the way to go

cheers

Tim

[2winscrew]

figured out how to post a pic

here's the engine bay...so far anyway....with a polished alt, rad, water-pump, airbox etc....it should clean it right up

[mulfab]

Been there and done that. Or rather the other way around, by fitting alloys in place of wires. If cost is not a consideration. There will be a lot, believe me. First, the front. Easy bit. The wire wheel hubs just fit straight on. And the wheel offset is the same as the alloys, so the wheels will nicely fit under the wings. Now the first problem. Your brakes will not fit. The wire wheel hub will move the rotor inboard further by approximatly 5/16" (8mm). As the rotor would only have had 3mm of clearance to the caliper bracket, that is the first problem. The later , post 93 plus 8, had wires as an option. They had a different caliper mounting bracket for either alloy or wire wheels. Those brackets will not fit as they used the Lockheed 4 piston caliper. You will have the Girling M16, which is not the same bolt mounts. So, make a pair of brackets. Not difficult, I make lots of them.
Then, the rear. Remove the brake drum, pull off the rear hub and bolt on the wire wheel rear hub. Hubs are a direct change.
Then the brake drum will not fit, as they have a different mounting system on the hubs. New drums required. There is not enough material just to redrill. That is a minor problem. The mounting shoulder for the wire wheel is 2" (50mm) further out than the alloy. So, the wheels stick out past the wings. The only answer there is to pull the wings and have your bodyshop weld in a 2" strip and repaint.
So, add the cost of four hubs, front caliper brackets, rear drums, major bodywork, makes Dayton appealing?

[2winscrew]

thanks Mulfab

errr....doesn't sound like something I want to bother with if it's that extensive

found this link this morning...mind you, this is putting Daytons on an MG

http://www.britishv8.org/Articles/Dayton-Wire-Whee...

looks like the adapter just bolts up to exactly where the alloy wheel would...but just using hex-nuts versus the big lugs on the studs, so that it clears the inside of the wheel ....so I'm not sure how the brakes would even be moved for install??

if the adapter mounted to the Dayton wheel has the exact same diameter and offset as the factory alloy....then I'm trying to figure out how there would be a clearance issue?

I appreciate your insight

Tim

[Bartell]

2winscrew said:

thanks Mulfab
errr....doesn't sound like something I want to bother with if it's that extensive

Dayton wires do NOT bolt right up unless you get the right one. The Dayton recommendations will have your tyres sticking out beyond the wing or hitting the exhaust pipe, if not worse.

You must determine the offset you have AND get advice from some source who has used Daytons successfully on your car. Then a swap to wire wheels is easy using adapters. You can do it yourself. For an American, the wheels, spinners and adapters cost near 2700 US, plus transport and whatever taxes you have.

They are not expensive, but they are not the best wheels. The best wire wheels for Morgans are those sold in the UK. There is one model that are not made from reclaimed steel wheels but are polished stainless. $750 US per wheel without adapters or spinners.

J.

[2winscrew]

^^^
thanks Bartell

do you have a link to the British company you mentioned?

"British Wire Wheel" shows the Morgan +8 wheel as #D464.....so I'm assuming that's a Dayton.....as Dayton's site give the same D464 on their listing

http://www.britishwirewheel.com/wheels.htm

trust me when I say I'm not ordering anything unless I know it will fit without major modifications....hence the reason I signed up here and started the thread

I'm not adverse to spending good money to get this done....but I am a bit shocked that the Daytons listing would have them sitting way out like that

appreciate the feedback

Tim

[rodschwarz]

Tim,

Maybe you should ask Lutz Leberfinger in Germany? He is an official Morgan agent and the official Dayton
importer for Germany. He should know best about the alternatives. You will find his address on his webpage.

http://www.morganpark.de/morganpark-hamburg/kontak...

[2winscrew]

thanks Rod,

as of yesterday, I'm now corresponding with a couple of gentlemen in the know

the topic has been focused on my planned cooling upgrades....but we'll get to the wire discussion soon enough

cheers

Tim