The 'E' Type Forum

Dear all,

The forum is proving to be really useful with my restoration project - series one 4.2 L 1965 FHC. I have ordered a new frame from e fabs. The next issue is tyre size and rim, as I wish to replace the originals, with something larger, maybe 6 inc, but would welcome some feedback from those who have done this. I have read some correspondence on this, and I got the impression to "beware".

I will eventually have about 300BHP, so this may be another factor.

Hope to hear from you,

regards

Guy

Guy,
This has been extensively discussed on here, a search may be worthwhile. For example http://www.etypeuk.com/forum/viewtopic. ... c&start=10

I have a 1962 3.8 OTS which produces a genuine 265bhp (dyno'd) to which I have fitted 6"x15" centre-laced Dayton wires. These wear standard 185x15 tyres, and this combo gives a visually wider look than the same tyres on standard 5" rims without causing issues such as heavy steering or rear tyres fouling bump stops or being unable to remove rear wheels without deflating tyres.

This works for me. Many especially in the US seem to prefer 205 or 215 tyre widths but many others recommend staying with 185s.

Cheers

I've run 185-15 and 205/75 rubber on both of my E-Types, and prefer the factory size. Both cars were bone-stock and I liked the feel of the narrower section on road trips. The 205/75 tires gave the car a "nervous" feel on California freeways that became tiresome. Just my humble opinion....

May I ask those having tried if there is a noticeable difference in behaviour when going from 5" to 5.5" and 6" (which seems to be the upper limit) with 185/15?
Serge

I could not detect any difference in behaviour after moving from 5" to 6" rims. I do not push the car right to its limits but do drive reasonably spiritedly.

We are close to getting some new wheels and tyres and having researched it a while have come to the conclusion that the best set up would be

5.5" curly hub with inset or 6" ch inset wheels with a 5" spare

The best options seem to be:

MWS XW5744C/3-TL Jaguar competition (triple laced)
Phil Hallewell centre laced
SNGB Daytons centre laced

185/15 tyres
Michelin XVS
Dunlop SP sport
Centuratos

Before we dived in I just wondered if anyone had any better options

Classic Jaguar in Austin, Texas have used center laced 6" Dayton wheels with 215/65 15 tires on a number of restorations. Dan Mooney, the proprietor says the bump stops are removed and the brackets on the chassis are also ground back or cut off. He says they clear the fender lip with no problem. I like the look at the rear, and am thinking of using the 215/65 on the rear and a 205/65 on the front...a variation on the factory competition look. Sumitomo was listing both sizes (dirt cheap) in an H and/or V rating, but it looks like it's no longer offered for the U.S.

There are some great photos of a 215/65 equipped '62 coupe on the Classic Jaguar site.

http://classicjaguar.com/cj/bb.html

I agree wider tyres can look good, however, it seems most agree that the handling is much worse than using 185/15's and heavier steering.

We dont seem to be able to find many doing 5.5" inset wheels ?

Alty Ian wrote:I agree wider tyres can look good, however, it seems most agree that the handling is much worse than using 185/15's and heavier steering.

We dont seem to be able to find many doing 5.5" inset wheels ?

Probably the case with heavier steering, but not so sure about the handling degradation. I'm sure it depends on the tires selection. There's a new tire in the Sumitomo line that looks very interesting, inexpensive , and not too garish as compared to the typical "gatorback" tread design. H or V rated depending on the size.

http://www.sumitomotire.com/cars/produc ... asp02.aspx

I'm running a set of MWS 6 1/2" rims on my 3.8 OTS. Steering is fine with standard 16" wheel. I have 205/70/15 tyres.
I previously had these wheels fitted on my S1.5 FHC with a 15" steering wheel. I find the steering quite heavy on that car.

abowie wrote:I'm running a set of MWS 6 1/2" rims on my 3.8 OTS. Steering is fine with standard 16" wheel. I have 205/70/15 tyres.
I previously had these wheels fitted on my S1.5 FHC with a 15" steering wheel. I find the steering quite heavy on that car.

What's the back spacing on that wheel? Bump stops? Clearance to rear fender lip? Rubbing on the frame rails at full lock? Photos? Thanks

We are using a 15" steering wheel to increase leg space (I'm 6-2) so heavy steering would be even worse if we used anything wider than 185's. As far as I can tell, its only the tyre selection that affects the bumpstops mainly. I also deliberately ensured that the rear wheel arch widths were maximised when we did the body to make wheel removal easier.

Still not decided which wheels to buy.

64etype wrote: What's the back spacing on that wheel? Bump stops? Clearance to rear fender lip? Rubbing on the frame rails at full lock? Photos? Thanks

Not sure but it's on the MWS site; might be 94mm. No. About 20mm. No.

I was wrong about the tyre profiles; both are running 65 profile tyres.

The OTS has MWS 6.5" standard laced wheels. The FHC has 6" centre laced wheels that may be Daytons.

Thanks for the info/photos. Looks like the center laced wheels are on the OTS and the bead laced on the FHC...I know you said you switched them around. They both look like a good fit in an case. Now I'm very interested in the minimum clearance from the tire side wall to the lip of the arch for the center laced wheel, and whether the tires are 205/65 or 215/65 as my objective is to mount 215/65's on Dayton center laced at the rear. The photos are very helpful.

64etype wrote: Looks like the center laced wheels are on the OTS and the bead laced on the FHC...

Sorry the FHC has triple laced spokes..typing in a hurry.
Both tyres are 205's.
The ones on the OTS are el cheapo Goodyear Monza's; they were under AU$100 per tyre and are perfectly adequate for me. These were on my S1.5 FHC and are essentially new looking at about 3000 miles.
The FHC has Goodyear Ducaro GA's which are over half worn out and that car has only done maybe 8000 miles.

I've done hill climbs, track days, many trips to the Alps and all over Europe, at first on RS5 crossplies and since then on 5.5 inch wheels with 185/15. I really can't see the need for bigger tyres personally, although some prefer the look. But as far as road holding goes, I also have the Lynx with 325bhp on 6.5 in crossplies and that is great fun too. Each to his own I suppose. But as far as heavy steering is concerned, I had the E-type on XAS Michelins but when I changed to the new Blockley radials it honestly felt as though someone had added power steering.

Sarthe

Time might be clouding the memory but in the 70's and 80's I ran my OTS on RS5 Cross plies and found them far more feel some than the Pirelli Cints I also tried at that time.

At sometime I hope to purchase a second set of rims and fit them again, meantime I have fitted the Blockley radials and delighted with them...

Hi

This is a new film about tyres for series 1 e-type



It does concern me that people are running 65% profile tyres on their cars. you cannot fit tubes in a 65% profile tyres. Any 70% profile or full profile tyre can fit inner tubes regardless of weather it is described as a "tubeless" tyre or not.

I recommend fitting tubes in every wire wheel!

http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/jaguar-e-type