tires

[Richard]

I just bought a set of repro knockoffs for my '66 driver.Does anyone know what is the radial equivalent to the stock tire size.Thank you,Richard

[Jack H.]

Re: tires

Should be in the Judging Guide/PV Manual. Originals were 7.75x15 bias. If memory serves that equates to P205-70 x 15....

[Joe L.]

Re: tires

Jack----


You're close; I believe that it is 205-75-15. The "75" aspect ratio P-metric radials more closely simulate the sidewall configuration of the 63-67 tires. The "70" aspect ratio is best for most C3s.

[Robert Pelland]

Re: tires

Bingo Joe, you`r right on this one. I have had the same problem with tire size, but had the fortune of owning one original 7.75*15. The closest match was with 205*75*R15. There was not really much difference in the overal size between the two once they were mounted. The white sidewall was noticeably wider on the current tire though.


Good luck and drive safe

[Tom B.]

Re: tires

Richard,


The 205/75R15 are the closest match in size. I used a set of 205/70R15 on my former 66 without any problems. The standard caution that goes along with switching to radial tires is to be sure and consider what you want to fit in the spare tire tub. I had a close but acceptable fit with the radial diameter, the width on either size is going to be more than the bias ply you would carry for a spare in the tub. If you search the Archives it will have a few suggestions for how to adapt and handle the size if you carry a radial spare. TBarr #24014

[Wayne Kever]

Re: tires

Interestingly, the judging manual lists both 205/75/15 and 215/70/15 as acceptable service replacement radial sizes. If you are interested in judging points, you can salvage a few by using a tire made by an OEM supplier for your year. For '67, those are Goodyear, Firestone, Uniroyal, BFGoodrich, and General.


One other thing: Be extremely careful about exceeding 215/70/15. I have heard a couple of "bad day" stories about cracked fenders.


- Wayne

[Duke W.]

Re: tires

If you want a tire that actually WORKS, the Michelin XWX is available from Coker tire in a 215/70VR-15, but they are expensive and might interfere with the fender lip when mounted on the KOs.


Duke

[Gerald Lee]

Re: tires

The 215/70/15 rubbed the frame on my 66.


Gerald Lee #31112

[Duke W.]

Re: tires

I have a set of 225/70VR-15 Pirelli CH73s on my '63 mounted on '68 seven inch wheels. At full left steering lock the tires rub on the carriage bolt heads that secure the steering gear to the frame, but that wasn't the biggest problem. I had to ahhhh... trim the horizontal lip at the top of the fender wells to maintain adequate clearance with the body. The amount of inside or outside clearance is both a function of the tire tread width and effective wheel offset. Both the K0s and '68 seven inchers have less positive offset which effectively widens the track slightly relative to the '63 to '66 5.5 inch wheels. The best bet when considering new tires is to take at all the measurements as accurately as possible to determine possible interference points. Then a decision has to be made on whether to modify the car or go with a different wheel/tire combination.

[Mike]

Re: tires

Richard -


I've got 215-65-15 redlines on repro KOs on my '66 BB roadster and I have no clearance problems.


Mike (#33053)

[Richard S.]

Re: tires

My 66 has Michelin XH4 all season radials, 205/75/15, with nice size whitewall.Many others in this area use these and all report excellent results.