Fitment Guide

Austin Healey 3000 Mk I, II & III (BN7, BT7, BJ7 & BJ8)

Body	Two-door Roadster
Engine	2912 cc / 6 cylinder
Year	1959 - 1968

Wheels

Original	XW450
Rim Size	4" x 15"
Centre	42mm Curly
Number of Spokes	48
Finish	Chrome or silver-painted
Lacing	Outer
Inset (mm)	19
Back Spacing (mm)	83 (+/- 3) Click here to view an explanation of inset, outset and back spacing.
Tyre	5.90 x 15 (original crossply) or 165R15 (modern radial) Some owners have been advised to fit a Michelin 180R15 tyre (this tyre requires a 175/185 x 15 tube) - although we have heard of this fitting without issue on some cars; on others it comes too close to the back of the rear wheel arch (near the bumper) to be safe. This fitment has not been tried, tested or verified by MWS.
Tube	The chrome wheels have been tubeless since March 2019; and the silver-painted wheels have been tubeless since May 2018. If you have older, tubed wheels or are fitting tube-type tyres you will need 155/165 x 15 tubes - available with either metal (race) or rubber (road) valve This wheel is laced to the outer part of the rim only and so does not require a rim band
Notes	Disc wheels were the standard fitment with wire wheels as an optional extra, however, the majority of vehicles were fitted with wire wheels. Both the disc and wire wheels were silver-painted as standard. The front brakes were modifed with the introduction of the 3000 models to disc brakes. Check as some early ones could still have drum brakes, if so then only XW450 or XW459 will fit without modification of brakes. In June 1963, towards the end of the 3000 Mk II Convertible (Chassis Number C.BJ7/24367), 48 spoke wire wheels (XW450) were replaced by stronger 60 spoke wheels (XW452).

Other Wheel Options

Options	XW452	XW457
Rim Size	4½" x 15"	5½" x 15"
Centre	42 mm Curly	42mm Curly
Number of Spokes	60	72
Finish	Chrome or silver-painted	Stainless steel, chrome, silver-painted or black-painted
Lacing	Inner & Outer	Inner & Outer
Inset (mm)	17	12.7
Back Spacing (mm)	87 (+/- 3) Click here to view an explanation of inset, outset and back spacing.	95.5 (+/- 3) Click here to view an explanation of inset, outset and back spacing.
Tyre	165R15 The Michelin 180R15 is known to be fitted by our customers; this tyre requires a 175/185 x 15 tube even if being fitted to a tubeless wheel	185/70R15 The Michelin 180R15 is known to be fitted by our customers; this tyre requires a 175/185 x 15 tube even if being fitted to a tubeless wheel
Tube	Tubeless The chrome and the silver-painted wheels have been tubeless since October 2008. If you have the older, tubed wheels or are fitting tube-type tyres you will need 155/165 x 15 tubes - available with either metal (race) or rubber (road) valve - and we recommend using 15"/16" rim bands.	Tubeless The chrome wheels have been tubeless since December 2007; and the silver-painted wheels have been tubeless since April 2008. The stainless steel and black-painted wire wheels have always been tubeless. Tubes are only required if fitting tube-type tyres. If you have the older, tubed wheels or are fitting tube-type tyres you will need 175/185 x 15 tubes and we recommend 15"/16" rim bands.
Notes
Options	XW459	XW5743
Rim Size	5" x 15"	4½" x 15"
Centre	42mm Curly	42mm Curly
Number of Spokes	72	72
Finish	Stainless steel, chrome, silver-painted or black-painted	Silver-painted only
Lacing	Inner & Outer	Inner & Outer
Inset (mm)	6.4	19
Back Spacing (mm)	83 (+/- 3) Click here to view an explanation of inset, outset and back spacing.	89 (+/- 3) Click here to view an explanation of inset, outset and back spacing.
Tyre	165R15 or 185/70R15 The Michelin 180R15 is known to be fitted by our customers; this tyre requires a 175/185 x 15 tube even if being fitted to a tubeless wheel	165R15 The Michelin 180R15 is known to be fitted by our customers; this tyre requires a 175/185 x 15 tube even if being fitted to a tubeless wheel
Tube	Tubeless The chrome wheels have been tubeless since June 2007; the silver-painted wheels have been tubeless since April 2011; and the stainless steel wheels have been tubeless since October 2008. The black-painted wire wheels have always been tubeless. Tubes are only required if fitting tube-type tyres. If you have the older, tubed wheels or are fitting tube-type tyres you will need 155/165 x 15 tubes - available with either metal (race) or rubber (road) valve - or 175/185 x 15 tubes and we recommend using 15"/16" rim bands.	Tubeless This wheel has been tubeless since September 2009. If you have the older, tubed wheels or are fitting tube-type tyres you will need 155/165 x 15 tubes - available with either metal (race) or rubber (road) valve - and we recommend using 15"/16" rim bands.
Notes
Notes
Warranty	Stainless Steel and Chrome: two year structural and cosmetic Painted: two year structural and one year cosmetic The warranty period commences from the date of invoice and is subject to the wheels being maintained as per our Wheel Care advice and in conjunction with our Terms and Conditions. Please retain the warranty tag supplied with each wheel as it contains the information required to identify the wheel in the event of a claim. Please note: MWS warranty automatically becomes void if the wheels have been: subject to re-work or change; fitted with tyres other than the manufacturer’s recommended fitment; or used for track events.

Splined Hubs

Spinners

Code	KCK053LH/KCK052RH	KCK049LH/KCK048RH
Type	Knock-on centre caps	Knock-on centre caps
Size	42 mm	42 mm
Thread	8 TPI	12 TPI
Ears	2	2
Logo	Plain (no logo)	Plain (no logo)
Notes	We recommend using our 42mm wooden spinner saver to protect the knock-on caps (spinners) when using a copper and hide hammer. Click here for advice on how tight to apply spinners.	We recommend using our 42mm wooden spinner saver to protect the knock-on caps (spinners) when using a copper and hide hammer. Click here for advice on how tight to apply spinners.

Code	KCK057-8LH/KCK056-8RH	KCK057-12LH/KCK056-12RH
Type	Knock-on centre caps	Knock-on centre caps
Size	42 mm	42 mm
Thread	8 TPI	12 TPI
Ears	0	0
Logo	Plain (no logo)	Plain (no logo)
Notes	From 1958 this style knock-on centre cap was supplied as standard for exports to Germany and Switzerland; and from 1966 they were also fitted as standard for exports to some North American destinations. Continental style octagonal spinner   Requires a spinner spanner to tighten/loosen caps. Click here for advice on how tight to apply spinners.	From 1958 this style knock-on centre cap was supplied as standard for exports to Germany and Switzerland; and from 1966 they were also fitted as standard for exports to some North American destinations. Continental style octagonal spinner Requires a spinner spanner to tighten/loosen caps. Click here for advice on how tight to apply spinners.

Retaining Nuts

Extra Information

Pictures

XW450 Chrome	XW450 Silver-painted
3000 Mk III fitted with XW452 Silver-painted	3000 Mk III fitted with XW452 Silver-painted
XW452 Chrome	XW452 Silver-painted
XW457 Chrome	XW457 Silver-painted
XW459 Stainless Steel	3000 Mk III fitted with XW459 Silver-painted
XW459 Silver-painted	XW5743 Silver-painted

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