[Healeys] Wheels/Tires

Michael Oritt michael.oritt at gmail.com
Mon Jan 6 06:01:34 MST 2020


I am not an engineer but I did play one when I was a kid with a Lionel
train set.

Best--Michael Oritt

On Mon, Jan 6, 2020, 12:02 AM Mirek Sharp <m.g.sharp at sympatico.ca> wrote:

> Thanks Michael,
>
>
>
> I have wondered about the metallurgy around chroming wheels, but have
> never heard it from an engineer.  I have heard that opinion about the gold
> plated wheels on the Earls Court show car, but again, I think it was more
> speculation than informed opinion from an engineer.  It’s a moot point for
> me as I prefer the painted wheels.
>
>
>
> Cheers,  Mirek
>
>
>
> *From:* Michael Oritt [mailto:michael.oritt at gmail.com]
> *Sent:* January-05-20 4:53 PM
> *To:* Mirek Sharp
> *Cc:* Max Byers; Austin Healey
> *Subject:* Re: [Healeys] Wheels/Tires
>
>
>
> Mirek--
>
>
>
> In response to your question as to whether anyone has experienced total
> wheel failure, many years ago I had a 1960 BN7 that came with chrome wire
> wheels, and though I don't remember whether the wheels had 48 or 60 spokes
> I do know that on several occasions I experienced broken spokes.  Things
> never got to the point of total wheel failure because invariably the broken
> spoke would poke a hole in the inner tube and when I had to replace the
> tube I also replaced the spoke.
>
>
>
> As opposed to today's stainless steel spokes back then I believe that
> chromed wire wheels had plated spokes and the chroming process embrittled
> the spokes, increasing their vulnerability to breaking.  FWIW I have never
> broken a spoke on the 20 year old 60 spoke chromed Daytons I have had on my
> present car.
>
>
>
> On Sun, Jan 5, 2020 at 10:05 AM Mirek Sharp <m.g.sharp at sympatico.ca>
> wrote:
>
> I have wondered how many people drive with broken spokes and do not even
> realize it.  I have only had experience with a few broken spokes, one on my
> Healey and one on my TC (both rear wheels), and both were broken right
> where the spoke enters the hub, and were not easily noticed.  One really
> has to use the time-honoured method of tapping the spokes with a spanner or
> screwdriver to listen to the ring, or notice them during a tyre change.  It
> is quite possible the many healeys, especially those owned/driven by less
> mechanically-minded souls, are driving around with a broken spoke or two.
> I'm no engineer, but I would not be surprised if this has little effect on
> the overall safety of the wheel for normal driving.  Does anyone know of a
> complete wheel  failure from normal driving?  I have seen only one.  When
> still an apprentice, an E-Type was towed into the shop and one rear wheel
> had most of its spokes sheared off at the hub (a 72 spoke chrome Dunlop).
> No idea how it happened.  Cheers,  Mirek
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Healeys [mailto:healeys-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Max
> Byers
> Sent: January-04-20 12:29 PM
> To: healeys at autox.team.net
> Subject: Re: [Healeys] Wheels/Tires
>
> "A few broken spokes in 106,000 miles is pretty good, I think.  How many
> people besides you and me put that kind of mileage on their Healey now,
> Bob?  And some of those broken spokes were in the days before Allen Hendrix
> was truing and balancing my wheels.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Healeys [mailto:healeys-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Bob
> Spidell
> Sent: Saturday, January 4, 2020 11:50 AM
> To: healeys at autox.team.net
> Subject: Re: [Healeys] Wheels/Tires
>
> Hmmmmm.  To me 'a few broken spokes' and 'more than adequate' is a
> contradiction in terms.
>
>
> On 1/4/2020 7:54 AM, Max Byers wrote:
> > Bruce, here is my input:
> >
> > I do not know anything about Dunlop/Moss wheels.  I bought five 60-spoke
> 15x4.5 Dayton chrome wheels with stainless spokes from British Wire Wheel
> in 1991, and they are still on my BJ8 with 106,000 miles on them now.  I've
> had a few broken spokes over the years, but fortunately I am relatively
> close to Allen Hendrix.  He keeps them trued and balanced whenever I need
> replacement spokes or new tires.
> >
> > It is only my personal opinion and preference, but while 72 spoke wheels
> are stronger, they are also have a "busier" appearance.  My experience with
> the 60-spokers tells me that they are more than adequate.
> >
> > I have always used 165 x 15 tires, again personal preference.  As to
> which brand, I use whichever tire is available to Hendrix Wire Wheel.  At
> one point it was Kumhos, and I really liked those tires.  They were not
> available at my last tire change, so I currently have Nexens.  So far, with
> 5 years and 10,000 miles on them they are also proving to be a very good
> tire.
> >
> > Steve Byers
> > HBJ8L/36666
> > BJ8 Registry
> > AHCA Delegate at Large
> > Havelock, NC  USA
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Healeys [mailto:healeys-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of
> Bruce Peters
> > Sent: Saturday, January 4, 2020 12:26 AM
> > To: healeys at autox.team.net
> > Subject: [Healeys] Wheels/Tires
> >
> > Hi all,
> > I’m getting closer to having to buy wheels and tires for my ‘67 BJ8.
> When I say closer I mean a year or so but I like to plan ahead. My car will
> not be concours correct or be entered in any car judging at shows. It’ll be
> a driver that won’t see any track time of any sort. That being said I’m
> wondering what everyone’s thoughts are on wheels and tires. I plan to put
> chrome wire wheels on. I don’t want Minilite’s. So, here are my questions:
> >
> > 1. Dunlop style(e.g. Moss) versus Dayton(e.g. Hendrix)?
> > 2. Wheel size—15x4.5 60 spoke; 15x5 72 spoke; or 15x5.5 72 spoke?
> > 3. Tire Brand?
> > 4. Tire Size?
> >
> > I’m not a bargain basement shopper so I’m willing to pay for the best
> combinations that make sense. I realize there’s a lot of personal
> preference so I hope I’m not gonna start a war with these questions!
> >
> > Thanks everyone!
> > Bruce
> >
> >
> >
>
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