Tires for my 62 340

[Chuck D.]

Needing a little help for my 1962 tire replacement. I'm to lazy to break a tire down to determine if my wheels are 5.0 or 5.5. Reviewed the current threads and archives. I'm after a little more tire than the Firestone P205/75R15 that are currently on the car. Which of these will work on 5.0 and 5.5 wheels - 215/75R15, 215/70R-15, 225/70R-15. My preference is (no order) Firestone, Goodyear or General. Car is a 340 hp and I don't plan on doing any drifting or getting side ways driving. I'm open to all suggestions. Thanks for your input.

[Tom D.]

Re: Tires for my 62 340

CD: If your rims are welded together (look on the back-sides) they are likely 5" wide. The 5.5" wheels were riveted I believe. (A 5.5" would be rare, so I will bet on yours being 5 inches wide.). But remember, most 55-56 Chevy passenger cars had 5" riveted wheels, not 5.5"... Many early Corvettes are running around with passenger car rims.

A 225/70 might rub when turning. I have P205/75R15 Goodyears and like them.

[Chuck D.]

Re: Tires for my 62 340

Thanks Tom. My wheels are riveted so I guess I need to bite the bullet and break one down. I'm betting on the 55-56. Thanks again.

[Mike E.]

[Tom D.]

Re: Tires for my 62 340

CD: See Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/12824154@N03/albums/72157629598961458

... a FLICKR photo page which includes an album showing C1 Wheels. You might have to change the "got to other albums" to see the area where the 55-56 wheels are shown.

There are some 65-66 wheel photos there also, in a third album. Write me a note if you cannot find the photos.

[Terry D.]

Re: Tires for my 62 340

I run 225x70x15 up front on 7 inch rally wheels with no rubbing, no problems on the rear either!

[Terry D.]

Re: Tires for my 62 340

After thinking about this you might want to stay at 215x70, the 225 might be too wide for a 5 inch rim. It could cause tire to wear in the middle. Hopefully a tire expert will chime in on that.

[Duke W.]

Re: Tires for my 62 340

When viewing tires on either a big Web retailer like The Tire Rack or the manufacturers' Web sites, there is usually a "specs" button, which lists dimensional and other data for each size in that model line. One spec is usually recommended wheel width and 215/70s are usually speced at 5.5-7.5" and 225/70 is 6-8". Note that these wheel widths are "recommended", but placing a tire on a wheel width less than recommended can compromise performance and the tire can look very "pinched" at the bead.

For a given size, all brands/models' specs should be in a very narrow range in order to comply with Tire and Rim Association recommendations.

If you're not concerned about judging, suggest you purchase a set of repro '67 Rally wheels, and I believe they will accept your OE wheelcovers.

Duke

[Chuck D.]

Re: Tires for my 62 340

Domed, answers that question - Thanks Mike.

[Chuck D.]

Re: Tires for my 62 340

Thanks Duke. I very much understand what your saying. I've just spent the last hour or so on Tire Racks' site reviewing the specs to determine my options. I want to go with a set of dog dish hub caps so I think I need to stick with my wheels. I can't believe how few tires are available for 5.0/5.5 wheels. Thanks again.

Chuck

[Duke W.]

Re: Tires for my 62 340

The selection is pretty much limited to low speed rated, rock hard compound "trailer and van tires". If you don't mind a foreign brand, Vredestein makes a 215/70 for vintage sports cars. George Jerome installed a set on his '65 FI Coupe, recently, and The Tire Rack carries them. Check out the following thread.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...formance-Tires

Duke

[Chuck D.]

Re: Tires for my 62 340

Duke, I'll do that. I found several options for the 215/70 but all called for 5.5+. I may do as you originally suggested an go with OE hub caps. I appreciate you help.

Chuck

[David B.]

Re: Tires for my 62 340

If you're not concerned with judging, another alternative is to use some later model 15x6 or 15x7 GM steel wheels that will accept the dog dish caps. These later wheels may require some minor grinding of the center hole to fit the '62 hub (wheels should be lug-centric with tapered nuts).

I have a set of 15x7 wheels on my '62; they have 4.25 in backspacing and no clearance issues. Tires are 215-70-15s.

[Chuck D.]

Re: Tires for my 62 340

Terry, Duke, You both commented on using 67 rally wheels. Can you tell me the back spacing on your wheels. Thanks

[Duke W.]

Re: Tires for my 62 340

As per the other thread, offset is +0.030". If the 15 x 7 wheels will fit, then '67 6" rallys will. You should consider 7" wheels. The '68 Corvette 7" rally wheels have -0.28" offset to clear the spring ends at the rear. G-body 7" Rallys have zero offset.

Duke