65 Coupe what size radial fits in spare carrier with original short bolts

[William H.]

Hello All ,
I looked this up in archives but nothing recent noted. My 65 coupe has 6" steel wheels with 215/70R15 tires and they work good on the car but won't fit in the spare tire carrier. I have one original wheel 5.5" wide and went and got a new Goodyear Viva 2 205/75R15 mounted on it and it fits in the carrier but the lid wont close. Does anyone know of a radial size that will be same hight but narrower section width that will fit inside my tub? IF not does anyone know the dimensions of the original tire 7.75X 15. I.E. Heaght or circumference and tread width and section width. IS 7.75 the section width? if so it seems that the 205/75R15 should fit as it only bulges about an inch on each side of the wheel that is 5.5". Anyway any help would be appreciated. I know I can go to longer bolts but prefer not to as I would like for the spare tire carrier lid to shut all the way to keep the tire and wheel clean and to preserve the factory appearance when closed.
Thanks in advance.
Bill

[Carl N.]

Re: 65 Coupe what size radial fits in spare carrier with original short bolts

Bill,

The only tire I found that would work on stock steel wheels is old 195 series Michellin tire - they are almost impossible to find and I would not run an old one very far. I went with a 775x15 bias ply to be safe. You "might" be able to use the longer bolts for the k/o's and get a 205 in the tub.

Maybe someone else will chime in.

Carl

[William H.]

Re: 65 Coupe what size radial fits in spare carrier with original short bolts

Thanks Carl,
I think the longer bolts would work but I just dont want the tire to be hanging out of the cover! Ill see if I can find 195/75R15 somwhere. If not I have some old 6.60X15 tires in pretty good shape maybee Ill use one of them.
Thanks again,
Bill

[Wayne M.]

Re: 65 Coupe what size radial fits in spare carrier with original short bolts

Agree with the Michelin 195-75 tire as a no-issue fit. Other than for judging, here's what I do to custom fit the length of the front (hinge) bolts so that the back (lock) end of the cover fits with less of a gap. Pics show that up to 4 of these flat washers, plus original lock washer, will allow the threaded portion of the stud to completely engage the threads in the nut welded on the inside of the frame. You can check yourself by inserting a finger in the big hole. I was going to add 2 thumbnails, but I'll have to return to university for a course; Can't believe this "improvement" did not involve a simpler process. And I suppose that we're still limited to 293kb (800 x 600) in landscape profile. What is this ? The dark ages .

P.S. figured out how to add thumbnails --- definitely NOT user friendly -- not a happy camper.

[William H.]

Re: 65 Coupe what size radial fits in spare carrier with original short bolts

Hello Wayne,
Thanks for the great info and pictures. I thought I had issue solved as I found a used 7.75X 15 dayton tire yesterday while out looking for 195/75 15. Had it mounted went to the car wash and cleaned it up got home and discovered that it won't fit in tub! it was too tall at about 28" I guess that all 7.75X15 tires are not created equal. Oh well now I have a 20.00 reminder of this to hang on the wall! I'll try the Washers next and se how that works. maybee I can get my 215/70-15 in there that way. What tire size are you able to get in your tub with the washers?
Thanks again,
Bill

[Wayne M.]

Re: 65 Coupe what size radial fits in spare carrier with original short bolts

..... I found a used 7.75X 15 dayton tire yesterday while out looking for 195/75 15. Had it mounted went to the car wash and cleaned it up got home and discovered that it won't fit in tub! it was too tall at about 28" I guess that all 7.75X15 tires are not created equal. Oh well now I have a 20.00 reminder of this to hang on the wall! I'll try the Washers next and se how that works. maybee I can get my 215/70-15 in there that way. What tire size are you able to get in your tub with the washers? ....

Bill -- sounds like you had the same experience as I did; see post link 2 weeks ago:

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?91046-7-75-too-tight-in-65-spare-carrier&highlight=long+miler

IIRC, the diameter of my "7.75" was similar to yours. The neat thing about the washers is that you can remove one side at a time (supporting bottom lid & tire) and play around with the quantity. The 4 washers I used gave me almost 1/2" more at the forward end.

As for the largest size, have to admit I've never had to put on a spare in the last 35 years; I suppose I really should, as I'm running 215/70 TA's and FR78-15's on one car now, and would hate to haul the flat on my passenger's lap . Another car has 205/75's and I believe they fit.

I wonder what lid gap at the lock bolt would be typical factory ? Let's hear from the exterior judges.

[Joe R.]

Re: 65 Coupe what size radial fits in spare carrier with original short bolts

Coker Tire in Chattanooga TN reproduces the Michelin 195X15 in a Redline or did reproduce that tire as I still have one that was not used on my 63. Just blacked out the redline and put it on the wheel with the redline inside.
Great tire and fits the well with no problem.

JR