65 Radial Tires

[Michael A.]

Re: 65 Radial Tires

I just want to let you know that I took Duke's advice on the Pirelli P4000 Supertouring in the 215 70R15 size and I couldn't be happier. I have no indication of any rubbing on my 66 small block roadster with stock suspension. I just completed 5200 miles in two weeks and couldn't believe the difference a really good set of tires makes.

If you intend to drive your car much at all you should consider these tires. If you must have whitewalls, I'd seriously consider the option Duke referenced for having the whitewall bonded to the Pirelli's. You won't be disappointed.

Personally, I prefer the Blackwalls and installed them on (forgive me) American Torque Thrust mags. In the words of one Southern California admirer - it looks "bitchin".

[Duke W.]

Re: 65 Radial Tires

NICE!!!

Torq Thrusts look great on C2s and Kidney Beans look great on C1s. Other than OE base wheels and associated trim or KOs/bolt-ons these "period" aftermarket wheels are the only way to go - especially with blackwalls, and the P4000s provide sports car performance with the utmost in safety.

It doesn't get any better!

Wow; 5200 miles in a C2 in two weeks! I don't know if my back could handle those upright seats for that amount of time. I'm too spoiled by modern cars. Tell us about the trip.

Duke

[Grant M.]

Re: 65 Radial Tires

Ed,

Just FYI. I have 205/70s (Sears Tredlock Kevlar belted radials made by Michelin) on my 65 (with standard suspension) and I have some frame rubbing on turns at full lock.

Grant

[Stuart F.]

Re: 65 Radial Tires

Michael;

I agree with Duke. Your wheels look great! My son has been bugging me to pick up a set of Craegers and put black walls on them, but yours look more "Sears Point" - all business. I like that look. I've told my son I have a birthday coming up in August. Think he'll take the hint? Actually, I think I'll send him an E-mail to check out this thread, then I'll know he got the message.

Stu Fox

[Stuart F.]

Re: 65 Radial Tires

No one has addressed the issue of whether the tie rods are set to the "Fast" or "normal" position has anything to do with the rubbing. I know they have different number of turns lock to lock on the steering wheel, but whether that equates to more or less wheel displacement (turning radius) I don't know, but I would be interested in knowing. Mine was set in the fast (Mack Truck) position since new.

Stu Fox

[Duke W.]

Re: 65 Radial Tires

No, it doesn't. Maximum wheel lock is when the steering arm hits the steering stop on the lower control arm, which is independent of the tie rod position. At either position wheel lock in degrees is the same.

Some wheel/tire combinations will rub the steering gear carriage bolts heads at full lock. It's a function of wheel offset, tire width, and tire OD, but this isn't a safety issue because you only use full lock at parking lot speeds, and the interference is right at the shoulder, which usually has a thick layment of tread.

If your wheel/tire combination causes this slight interference be aware, and if you need full lock - back off a sixteenth of the turn on the steering wheel when you hit full lock.

Duke

[Stuart F.]

Re: 65 Radial Tires

Duke;

Thanks for clearing that up for me. Is there likely to be more of a concern for the 65-67's? Don't they have a different wheel offset due to the disc brakes? My 205-75R x15's are working fine - no interference at lock, etc. I still intend to watch it on driveways as my original coils have relaxed, and I am concerned for the wheel well openings. This has been a very informative thread which confirms a lot of my previous actions and suspicions in this area (the C-2 achilies heel!).

Stu

[Duke W.]

Re: 65 Radial Tires

The hub wheel mounting plane on disk brake cars is about 0.2" more outboard compared to drum brakes. Up to '66 steel wheels have 0.44" offset. Rally wheels, bolt-ons, and KOs (including adapter) have 0.06" offset, so you can do the math on each combination, but the bottom line is a drum brake model with base steel wheels will have the tightest inside clearance at full lock, and '65-'66s with KOs and '67s will have the tightest clearance to the fender well lip.

Duke

[Michael A.]

Re: 65 Radial Tires

Duke
5210 miles to be precise. The tires were one of the key reasons it went well... I can't imagine doing the drive on old passenger car radials I had before.

As for the seats, they were on the top of the list for a fix before we left. I replaced the seat covers with Corvette America vinyl covers and new foam. What a difference compared to the original seats and foam which was falling apart. I'm amazed that my 49 year old body felt no ill-effects from the original style seats even after the 16 hour days we drove on the return leg. My 19 year old son survived as well, but then at his age, he should. The seats worked well.

I'm putting together a web site with details of the trip. It's not finished but it's got the bulk of the info. The URL is:
www.home.comcast.net/~kixon66.

I must add that I could never have gotten the car ready for this trip without all of the help from folks like you on the discussion board. I'll be adding a list of the work I did to the car with thanks to those who provided advise to post on the web later, but you are one of them. The tires are great!

Cheers
Mike

[Stuart F.]

Re: 65 Radial Tires

I have heard a number of references as to how difficult a long trip would be in a C-2. I suspect a lot of it is due to the fact that we are older and spoiled by our modern day cars. But, back in the day, I and a buddy drove straight through from mid state Wisconsin to southern New Mexico in my new 63 conv., stopping only for gas and food. I'd made the trip four times before; twice in a 59 Pontiac convertible (w/3 people), once in a 55 Chevy 4-Door (six cyl. w/3 people) and once in a 57 Rambler (six cyl. w/overdrive and 2 people). The Corvette obviously was more fun, specially when new, but my Buddy and I both agreed we arrived at our destination more fresh than on any other trip. We could have turned around and done it again, and did 6 months later. A lot of it had to do with the difficulty/drudgery of driving the other cars (poor vision, slow, etc.). The rambler was my second choice.

When I recall that today when I go out on the highway, what with the heat and the road noise, etc., I wonder what has changed. Perhaps it's the arthritis in my back, but it's not quite as much fun. Still, using that high gear torque to zip past a car or truck now and then makes me feel a whole lot better.

Stu

[Michael A.]

Re: 65 Radial Tires

Stu
You've got a heck of a history of long distance driving. I will tell you that the best driving times for us were on the long stretches of road away from the interstate. The wheel noise from the semi's, not to mention their proximity at head height and fears of retread separation, made the interstate driving more taxing.

We had some great runs in Missouri, Oklahoma, Arizona and California. The only thing that could have been better would be doing this in October rather than June. The heat was pretty intense. We just made sure we had sun screen and plenty of water.

We were really amazed that the seats didn't cause any problems. The new foam made all of the difference. It's not as comfortable as my modern car but it wasn't bad.

My advice to anyone with a C2 and the time - find a stretch of quiet two lane, drive fast and STW!

Cheers

[Stuart F.]

Re: 65 Radial Tires

Mike;

When I was younger I used to love to drive the two lanes, specially the Kettle Moraine hills in central Wisconsin. But, of course there wasn't as much traffic then and you could sometimes use both lanes for a good four wheel drift through the apex, so to speak. Now days, and specially at night, it scares the heck out of me. Granted my eyes and other senses aren't what they used to be, but I still have the impatience to want to pass those semi's. My heart rate goes way up when I make the decision to cross that dotted yellow line, downshift, and put my foot in the AFB.
Of course the 4 lanes are not all that much safer. Last year I got crowded right out of the left lane by a car coming on from an on ramp that chose to go right to the left lane without looking. Good thing I learned long ago how to handle gravel shoulder excursions. With a convertible you have to be extra careful when your head is the only roll bar.

Stu

[Bill M.]

Re: 65 Radial Tires

I thought I would add a post of caution regarding C2s and wider wheels. I belong to a club that does much autocrossing (solo 2). Wider wheels are one of the first "upgrades" guys used to do for their C2s. Many wind up with broken front fenders. Autocrossers use full lock a lot and you will get large suspension travel in some parking lots. (This is a lot less common on the highway, but can happen.) The leading edge of one tire (at full lock and hitting a bump) rubs down on the fender outer lip. I don't think this is the problem. But the trailing edge of the other tire pushes up on the fender outer lip. I think this is what breaks fenders.

[Stuart F.]

Re: 65 Radial Tires

Bill;

Thanks for adding your "voice of experience" to this matter. I have brought it up on a number of other threads regarding tire sizes, and for the most part have been ignored or written down as being too cautious. I took my lead from an experienced Corvette mechanic when I went to radials - that, and from the horrer stories I had heard or read about, chose to go with his sizing advice and I'm happy I did. Also, he advised that I must re-align both the front and rear for the radials. As it was, he said he was able to get mine into adjustment, but the rear required full out adjustment in order to meet specs. I suspect many C-2 owners are not having theirs aligned properly and are, therefore, not realizing the full potential of their new tires.

Stu Fox

[Brian K.]

Re: 65 Radial Tires

A local dealer suggested Toyo Spectrum which is available in a 215/70 with a 3/4 whitewall.

Seems to be a reasonably priced tire & I've heard good things about Toyo. Any comments on that tire?