What P205/7015 radial tires work well, and fit the spare tire tub?

[Edward J.]

Good afternoon guys, I am looking for your input on a set of radial tires that will clear the wheel wells and fit the spare tire tub.I was planing on P2057015?

[David L.]

Re: What P205/7015 radial tires work well, and fit the spare tire tub?

Ed,

I have used P205-75-R15 tires on my 1966 since I bought it in 1979. This size tire is too wide for the tub. I use a NOS 7.75-15 Goodyear All Weather IV 4 ply tire for my spare DOT "CCNHJYK9" code that I bought at a swap meet back in the 1980's.

My 1998 S10 w/2-wheel drive uses P205-75-R15 tires. My S10 "mini-spare" is the same diameter but is much narrower and I believe it would fit in my Corvette tire tube but I have never tried it.

Dave

[Edward J.]

Re: What P205/7015 radial tires work well, and fit the spare tire tub?

Dave thanks for your response. I guess I will do some research on tires and there dia. and width The 2057515 tire seems to be the size I will use, although each companys has a mold that doesn't always mean the diameters are the same, or the width.

I currently have the correct tire size 670/15 as a spare.with is about 27 1/2 in. dia. so If I can find something along those lines it would be great.

[David L.]

Re: What P205/7015 radial tires work well, and fit the spare tire tub?

Theoretically, the P205/75R15 tire should be 8.07" wide (205/25.4 = 8.07). The diameter would theoretically be be 27.1" ((0.75 X 8.07 X 2) + 15)).

The circumference on my NOS 7.75-15 tire measures about 85 5/8" which would make the diameter about 27.25".

I believe that my 98 S10 spare is a T155/90r16 where the width is theoretically 6.10" and the diameter is 27.0".

Dave

[Tom P.]

Re: What P205/7015 radial tires work well, and fit the spare tire tub?

I ran 205/75R15's on my 63 but carried a 195/75R15 off brand tire in the tub for an emergency spare. It fit fine and I never had to use it.

I figured that different diameter tires on the rear would cause a positraction problem with extended use but also had an aeresol fixaflat can as the first line of defense. Never used it either.

A spare tire is just a short term fix to get you off the side of the road.

[Michael G.]

Re: What P205/7015 radial tires work well, and fit the spare tire tub?

Good afternoon guys, I am looking for your input on a set of radial tires that will clear the wheel wells and fit the spare tire tub.I was planing on P2057015?

Ed,

I've got a Uniroyal 205/75/15 in my bucket. As you know the 75 is slightly taller than the 70 however is around the same height as a 7.75/15. I used the longer mounting bolts, a little snuggily but no issues.

[Duke W.]

Re: What P205/7015 radial tires work well, and fit the spare tire tub?

Dave thanks for your response. I guess I will do some research on tires and there dia. and width The 2057515 tire seems to be the size I will use, although each companys has a mold that doesn't always mean the diameters are the same, or the width.

I currently have the correct tire size 670/15 as a spare.with is about 27 1/2 in. dia. so If I can find something along those lines it would be great.

For any given size, the allowable dimensions of a tire are within a narrow range specified by the Tire and Rim Association.

The most important number to match - or get as close as you can - is revs/mile. The 6.70-15 is 760 and the 7.75-15 is 775.

Many use the 205/75R-15, but they are all low quality, low speed rated tires. The 215/70R-15 is also a good match and there may be a few left that are speed rated at H or above that have the safety enhancing spiral wrapped nylon cap belt.

Tire Web sites such as the Tire Rack have specs on all the tires they sell, and the manufacturer's Web sites also have all the basic specs.

I've also had luck finding tires by just googling the tire size. That's how I found one of the last sets V-rated 225/70R-15 Firestone Firehawk PV41 police pursuit tires a year ago, which was at least a couple of years after they were out of production.

Duke

[Glen C.]

Re: What P205/7015 radial tires work well, and fit the spare tire tub?

Good afternoon guys, I am looking for your input on a set of radial tires that will clear the wheel wells and fit the spare tire tub.I was planing on P2057015?

Edward, I have a P205/75R15 Michelin X radial on original Kelsey KO's in my 1966 tire tub. I use the longest available front extension rods with 4 or 5 extra washers on the threaded end, and the longer rear pivot bolt. Tight fit but it works.

[Bruce D.]

Re: What P205/7015 radial tires work well, and fit the spare tire tub?

Guys. I have read through a number of posts on this subject and would like to explain my plans and get any comments you might have.I am currently running Michelin 215/70 R 15 tires mounted on chrome American mags for my 63 as driving wheels with a donut tire in the tub that has never been used (vs repro tires on the original rims for judging).I am planning a change to K H Western knock offs for my driving wheels staying with the Michelin 215/70 15 tires on the ground.I have a 5th knock off for the spare with a newly mounted 205/70 15 that just barely fits in the tub with long bolts and extra washers.I am concerned with the very tight fit in the tub with regard to possible tire expansion and not being able to get the spare out of the tub if and when needed.I am going to try a 195/65/15 expecting a better clearance fit in the tub but am concerned with the extra stress on the posi clutches vs the 215 on the other side if and when the spare needs to be on the ground.Can you please give me your thoughts on this size spare especially on any posi stress for 100 miles if needed.thanks in advance for your comments.

[Edward J.]

Re: What P205/7015 radial tires work well, and fit the spare tire tub?

Bruce, I can tell you I went with the P20575R15 Uniroyal tires, and just put my 670/15 repro tire in the tub. which was a BFG Silvertown. If you use the 19565R15 tire as a spare there should not be a problem, The car will be heading in a straight line most of the time, So when turning the posi clutchs should allow some slippage. I would only use that tire in a pinch and as least time as possible.

[Bruce D.]

Re: What P205/7015 radial tires work well, and fit the spare tire tub?

Edward. Not a Uniroyal tire, but they are all about the same for that size, My repro tire is to large to fit the tub and too old to use as a spare. I am trying to balance the proper fit for the spare tire in the tub vs the wear on the posi clutches for the different circumferences of the tire choices that will fit correctly in the tub.

[Edward J.]

Re: What P205/7015 radial tires work well, and fit the spare tire tub?

I have heard that some of the repro tires don't fit the tube, I have a BFG Silvertown that just fits the tub, and it will sometimes stick in the tub. everyone seems to just let a little air out of the tire so they will fit, maybe this will work for you with the 2057015. if you use this tires you should be very close to the 2157015 I Believe it will be about a 1 inch difference, it seems that just about all the tire companies have different circumferences for the same size tires. I still don't think clutch wear would be a issue with either tire size for the amount of driving you do with your spare. As long as your not doing Donuts. When moving in a straight line the posi clutch are not doing anything.

[Gary B.]

Re: What P205/7015 radial tires work well, and fit the spare tire tub?

...I believe that my 98 S10 spare is a T155/90r16 where the width is theoretically 6.10" and the diameter is 27.0".

Dave

Dave,

I like your idea of using the 1998 S10 spare. That's a 16" tire, so you must be proposing to use the S10 wheel as well. Does that have the same lug geometry to bolt right onto a C2?

Gary

[John H.]

Re: What P205/7015 radial tires work well, and fit the spare tire tub?

I like your idea of using the 1998 S10 spare. That's a 16" tire, so you must be proposing to use the S10 wheel as well. Does that have the same lug geometry to bolt right onto a C2?

Gary

Gary -

Yes, it does - same bolt pattern, rim clears the caliper.

[David L.]

Re: What P205/7015 radial tires work well, and fit the spare tire tub?

Dave,

I like your idea of using the 1998 S10 spare. That's a 16" tire, so you must be proposing to use the S10 wheel as well. Does that have the same lug geometry to bolt right onto a C2?

Gary

Gary,

The T155/90R16 spare tire from my 1998 S10 w/2WD has the same bolt pattern as my 1966 Corvette. Unfortunately the spare spent the last 16 years attached under the bed of my S10 pickup resulting in a lot of New England winter heavy rust on the 16" X 4" steel wheel. The rust on the wheel was so bad that I had the tire removed and trashed the wheel. I hope to find a nice 16" X 4" GM steel wheel at a swap meet for cheap $.

Dave