13 replies to this topic

[DUF2]

What is the best size for a spare wheel?

First of all the car is a 1965 Elf with 12” wheels (8.4 discs). The spare wheel I have is a 12” steel with a 135(/80)x 12. This is a tight squeeze between the fuel tank and the battery, also the wheel prevents the boot floor from dropping into place.

Obviously a 10” wheel which the car had originally would be no good as it would not fit over the disc brakes, so if I carry a spare it has to be a 12” wheel.

 

I was wondering how the spare is accommodated on the later Minis with 12” wheels and a larger fuel tank.

 

One solution may be to shrink the bottom corner of the fuel tank a wee bit, but before I do that I thought I would ask.

[imack]

I think the later 7.5 gallon tank is shaped to fit around the tyre better than the 5.5 gallon tank.

[DUF2]

I think the later 7.5 gallon tank is shaped to fit around the tyre better than the 5.5 gallon tank.

Filler neck is wrong angle for an Elf and I suspect the boot hinge may be in the way.

[mab01uk]

Have you tried a normal size 12" wheel and lower 55 or 60 profile tyre?......its sounds like your spare is an odd size at 135/80 x 12, more like a modern cars space saver tyre which tend to be taller in profile or aspect ratio?

 

I think the later 7.5 gallon tank is only shaped to fit around the tyre because the tank is wider and protrudes into the boot space more.

 

Edited by mab01uk, 20 June 2020 - 05:10 PM.

[weef]

Hi   the 135/ 80 /12 is a standard size tyre. All tyres unless otherwise stated have an 80% aspect ratio.

If you reduce the aspect ratio to 70% or 60% the overall diameter changes by one inch each move

Therefore an 80% tyre is 20.5 inch diameter the 70% 19.4 inch and the 70% is 18.4 inch diameter.

You will have to consider the safety aspect if you have to fit an unequal sized tyre if you have a puncture.

[Spider]

The 12" wheels overall dia with the correct sized tryes is only around 3/4 to 1" bigger than 10's are.

[Buzzword]

An alternative is to do without the spare. My 12" with a 165 wouldn't fit with the bigger battery I have, so I just have a canister of 'tyre weld' sealant type stuff and do without the spare.
Not ideal but it passes MOTs + lighter and more boot space. (My sill jacking points were long since welded over, so original jack was useless anyway)

[Cooperman]

An original 145/80 x 10 tyre had a diameter of 19.15" and a 165/60 x 12 has a diameter of 19.8"

[MrBounce]

Original 12" tyres should be 145/70/12. I never had any issues fitting one of those into the spare wheel well with either size tank.

[Compdoc]

I've used a 12 steel wheel with a 145/70R12 tyre. Painted the wheel black and got some space saver stickers from eBay. Fits OK in a standard Mini saloon.

 

[DUF2]

Problem eased wit a bit of careful manipulation with a small hammer on the bottom corner of the tank.

 3E758F66-EAE1-4486-A729-A2BA25CA02DA.jpeg   56.98K   6 downloads

[Buzzword]

That boot looks huge!

[DUF2]

Elf boot is slightly longer than a Mini, 650mm from back to front.

[Tornado99]

An alternative is to do without the spare. My 12" with a 165 wouldn't fit with the bigger battery I have, so I just have a canister of 'tyre weld' sealant type stuff and do without the spare.
Not ideal but it passes MOTs + lighter and more boot space. (My sill jacking points were long since welded over, so original jack was useless anyway)

Yes I don't think I've ever done a road side wheel change in 3 decades. The tire sealant can work, but those puncture kits with the "worm" like bits of rope and an auger tool can repair nail punctures quite easily. Then having a portable inflator gets you up and running again nicely. I also have an auto club membership with towing & roadside service.