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You could lower the pressure in the opposite side taller tire to reduce it's rolling diameter and go short, low speed distances. I bought a '66 Coronet years ago for a bargain price because the owner had a flat rear tire on the freeway and bolted on his spare, which was about an inch shorter in height. Car was towed into my shop with burnt up positraction and a sheared roll pin. He had driven it about 20 miles on the highway, though, at highway speeds.That was enough to overheat and take out the posi.
You could lower the pressure in the opposite side taller tire to reduce it's rolling diameter and go short, low speed distances. I bought a '66 Coronet years ago for a bargain price because the owner had a flat rear tire on the freeway and bolted on his spare, which was about an inch shorter in height. Car was towed into my shop with burnt up positraction and a sheared roll pin. He had driven it about 20 miles on the highway, though, at highway speeds.That was enough to overheat and take out the posi.
Seems like I've read that somewhere recently. For some reason #24 comes to mind.
I've had more flats than I like to remember, the last was this year at Carlisle, I have fixed them all with a plug. I have had flats with new tires, plugged them, and they ran their whole life with a plug, without any issues.
I carry a tire plug kit and small electric compressor. This takes care of most types of flats and I’ve used it three times in 25 years. If I can’t fix it, I call for a tow. Simple.
This has saved my bacon more than once. Carry a set of pliers or two in case you have to yank/pry the debris out
A modern receptacle is idea over the old cig lighter. Plug kit and small compressor can be had for under $30 at Walmart.
I have 205/70R15 tires on my 64. I have a 205/70R15 tire on a 6 inch wide steel wheel in the spare tire carrier.
I made a set of extended length spare tire carrier bolts to accommodate the spare tire.
Don't mess around with off size spares, a 205/70R15 will fit with minor adjustments. The extended length carrier bolts that were available on 64-65 cars (I think) that came with factory knock off wheels will probably work. They are $70 a pair, which is why I made my own (for $12).
63 Corvette with original spare tire carrier but with 65 gold line tire bolts.
I have 205/70/15 Michelin Defenders on front and 215/70/15 on the rear with KO wheels. The spare is a 215/70/15 on a KO wheel with 65 factory style long bolts on the leading edge of carrier support and a 65 carrier bolt at the rear. Tire is aired up to 35 lbs. Spare is in a black plastic bag for easy slide out.
I test fit my '65 tire tub over a 215-70-15 spare to see if it would fit. The tub, not installed at the time, dropped right over the tire. However, I then found that I could not get the tire into the tub if it was installed in the vette - cause - My hanger bolts were too short!
Not wanting to purchase longer bolts, I noted that the threaded portion of the hanger bolts was about an inch long - so my solution was to thread a 7/16 nut (about 1/2 inch thick) onto the bolt to use as a spacer for the hanger bolt re-install to lengthen them a bit. Worked fine!
Also, one more tip - the hanger bolts are a pain to loosen or tighten because there is no hex head on the end. - As a solution, I welded a 7/16 nut on to the end of the bolts to be able to use a socket and wrench (or drill/driver).
Here is a set of spare tire carrier bolts that I made to accommodate my full size 205/70R15 spare on a 6 inch wheel for my 64.
I got some round bar stock, and threaded the ends. I welded the lug nuts on the bottom. Makes it much easier to get them on and off.
The wide area at the top is a nut that I rounded with a grinder and welded to the rod.
11-09-2018, 05:39 PM
