OH NO - now another problem...
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 8,071
Likes: 317
From: Central Florida
OH NO - now another problem...
Bought a new set of 15X7 bias tires from Coker, mounted on the stock steel wheels. Bought a NEW spare tire tube from LIC. Got everything MOUNTED perfectly. Went to put tire in the tube and the diameter of the tub is too small for the tire??????? WHAT IS GOING ON? This car is not cutting me a break. Its not the height, but the diameter of the tire tub???? Any suggestion here now?????
Did get the shocks on though.....HELP I am at witts end....
Did get the shocks on though.....HELP I am at witts end....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,808
Likes: 24
From: Westport CT
I assume your use of "tube" is really "tub"?
it is well-established that the original spare tire tub might not accommadate larger than original size tires, repro tubs are known to be a bit larger (mine took a 215/70R-15 using the longest hangers - those for the goldlines). Which brings me to a critical question - how is your spare not fitting in the tub? is it a diameter of the tire issue, or a width of the tire issue? the latter can be solved, as I mentioned, using longer hanger bolts.
it is well-established that the original spare tire tub might not accommadate larger than original size tires, repro tubs are known to be a bit larger (mine took a 215/70R-15 using the longest hangers - those for the goldlines). Which brings me to a critical question - how is your spare not fitting in the tub? is it a diameter of the tire issue, or a width of the tire issue? the latter can be solved, as I mentioned, using longer hanger bolts.
Last edited by ctjackster; Nov 10, 2004 at 02:17 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
Originally Posted by EBVette
Bought a new set of 15X7 bias tires from Coker, mounted on the stock steel wheels. Bought a NEW spare tire tube from LIC. Got everything MOUNTED perfectly. Went to put tire in the tube and the diameter of the tub is too small for the tire??????? WHAT IS GOING ON? This car is not cutting me a break. Its not the height, but the diameter of the tire tub???? Any suggestion here now?????
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 8,071
Likes: 317
From: Central Florida
I bought the Firestone 6.70 X15 1" Whitewall tire. The height of the tire is no problems, the tire itself is to large to fit into the tire TUB.
I know about the bolts that can make it accomadate the thicker tire, but this is the actual diameter of the tire is not fitting into the TUB.
OK so tell me more about bringing it to a tire shop and having it shaved....this could be a solution.
I know about the bolts that can make it accomadate the thicker tire, but this is the actual diameter of the tire is not fitting into the TUB.
OK so tell me more about bringing it to a tire shop and having it shaved....this could be a solution.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 10,866
Likes: 717
From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
I'm still confused, Collin. You're saying that the diameter of the tire too large for the tub, NOT that the width of the tire too wide, right?
I have repro Firestone's on my 63, mounted on 4 original 63 wheels, but I have to admit that I have an original Firestone spare, mounted on an original 63 wheel. I have no problem getting the spare into my original tub from a diameter or width point of view.
I know NOTHING of the repro tire tubs, but I'm having trouble believing that the "ID" of the tire tub is too small for the tire. Could something be fouled up with the repro tire tub? Chuck
I have repro Firestone's on my 63, mounted on 4 original 63 wheels, but I have to admit that I have an original Firestone spare, mounted on an original 63 wheel. I have no problem getting the spare into my original tub from a diameter or width point of view.
I know NOTHING of the repro tire tubs, but I'm having trouble believing that the "ID" of the tire tub is too small for the tire. Could something be fouled up with the repro tire tub? Chuck
Last edited by Chuck Gongloff; Nov 10, 2004 at 02:22 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,808
Likes: 24
From: Westport CT
hey Colin - if you went to the trouble of getting Coker repro bias-ply tires (I imagine for "correctness" purposes) aren't they the oem size too - and you seem to have confirmed that - but I guess what you are confonting is that the Coker tires, even in the correct size, are somewhat thicker, diameter-wise, than the orignal tires on the 63 that surely would have fit in the TUB??
Even then, I think you said you bought the tub from LIC, so it would be a repro tub and repro tubs are known to fit bigger sized (diameter-wise) tires thant he oem tire. So something does seem to be plain old wrong here, before you go out and have your spare tire shaved.
Even then, I think you said you bought the tub from LIC, so it would be a repro tub and repro tubs are known to fit bigger sized (diameter-wise) tires thant he oem tire. So something does seem to be plain old wrong here, before you go out and have your spare tire shaved.
Last edited by ctjackster; Nov 10, 2004 at 02:33 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 8,071
Likes: 317
From: Central Florida
I solved the mystery...simply went to the source...the tire source.
Called and talked to Coker tires. It appears the Firestone Tires they are selling are the Deluxe Champion White Wall tires, same as the original that was on the 63 except the new molds for the tires are "almost" like the originals. The REPRO tire diameter is 28.58 for the FIRESTONE. The TIRE Tub is 27.75 Inches, thus the tire does not fit unless you let the air out. Well then whats the point. The original Firestone Tire was 27.55 (filled with air), thus it fit, however that was the OLD ORIGINAL MOLD that does not exist anymore. I guess when you make a mold from and original mold it gets bigger????
Solution is this:
Coker tire is going to send me a BF Goodrich Spare white wall, the diameter measures 27.42", thus is will fit in the tire tube. I will return the unused Firestone tire and they will credit me. I will have the tires mounted and balanced at a local shop.
I am telling you this car is not letting go at all......is frustrating....
Called and talked to Coker tires. It appears the Firestone Tires they are selling are the Deluxe Champion White Wall tires, same as the original that was on the 63 except the new molds for the tires are "almost" like the originals. The REPRO tire diameter is 28.58 for the FIRESTONE. The TIRE Tub is 27.75 Inches, thus the tire does not fit unless you let the air out. Well then whats the point. The original Firestone Tire was 27.55 (filled with air), thus it fit, however that was the OLD ORIGINAL MOLD that does not exist anymore. I guess when you make a mold from and original mold it gets bigger????
Solution is this:
Coker tire is going to send me a BF Goodrich Spare white wall, the diameter measures 27.42", thus is will fit in the tire tube. I will return the unused Firestone tire and they will credit me. I will have the tires mounted and balanced at a local shop.
I am telling you this car is not letting go at all......is frustrating....
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 10,866
Likes: 717
From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
For what it's worth, after I previously posted, I went to the garage to work on my 63. Had to take one front tire/wheel off the car. It's a repro Firestone mounted on an original 5.5 x 15 inch 63 only wheel.
Tried it in my original tire tub. Fit JUST FINE. It was snug, BUT I didn't have to press/push it in. Went in easy...came out easy. My repro Firestone's are about 5-7 years old. They're 6.70x15 1 inch whitewalls. Bought them from Interstate Tire, the Lucas Tire distributor in Hershey, PA. Chuck
Tried it in my original tire tub. Fit JUST FINE. It was snug, BUT I didn't have to press/push it in. Went in easy...came out easy. My repro Firestone's are about 5-7 years old. They're 6.70x15 1 inch whitewalls. Bought them from Interstate Tire, the Lucas Tire distributor in Hershey, PA. Chuck
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 10,866
Likes: 717
From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
Measured the diameter of my repro Firestone. It's 27 1/2 inches. No where NEAR the diameter of your repro tire. Something "ain't" right with your repro tires. I'd call Lucas Tire in Ohio. They've been the Firestone distributor for decades. Ask the diameter of the tires they sell.
I would want a matched set of tires, not a mix and match set of Firestone and Goodrich. Chuck
I would want a matched set of tires, not a mix and match set of Firestone and Goodrich. Chuck
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 8,071
Likes: 317
From: Central Florida
I received this email from COKER TIRES and would like to post it as he requested. I still don't quite understand what he is talking about, if a tire does not fit in the tub, then it does not fit in the tub, regardless of DOT rules etc.. In fairness, I hope to talk to Patrick on Friday and try to get him to explain to me in more detail what he states below. As far as I am concerned, I bought a tire that was advirtised as one that was an exact repro of the original for a 63 Coupe, I bought and and now find out it does not fit in the spare tire tub.... 
So here is his email he sent me...
Hello EBVEtte, my name is Patrick Moates and I am with Coker Tire. I was going to post this in the forum, but I have not been allowed access to post replies as of yet. The information you have been given is false, and we are dealing with that on our end. Our tires are made from the original molds, and short of a 40 year old tire are the most authentic tire you can buy. The difference in size is the post inflation process now required by the department of transportation. When the tires were originally made, this was not used, so the overall diameter was smaller. Now, when the tires come out of the mold, they have to be inflated to ensure a more uniform tire, and making the overall diameter just a little larger.
I will call him today and post the results....I want to be fair and honest regarding all parties.
So here is his email he sent me...
Hello EBVEtte, my name is Patrick Moates and I am with Coker Tire. I was going to post this in the forum, but I have not been allowed access to post replies as of yet. The information you have been given is false, and we are dealing with that on our end. Our tires are made from the original molds, and short of a 40 year old tire are the most authentic tire you can buy. The difference in size is the post inflation process now required by the department of transportation. When the tires were originally made, this was not used, so the overall diameter was smaller. Now, when the tires come out of the mold, they have to be inflated to ensure a more uniform tire, and making the overall diameter just a little larger.
I will call him today and post the results....I want to be fair and honest regarding all parties.
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Firestone Tires
Hello guys, Patrick Moates here at Coker Tire. The tires are made from the original molds, so they are original. Yes, the diameter on the Firestone tires is a little larger because of the post inflation process now required by the DOT. It isn't that the mold has changed, but that the requirements on them have since changed. Originally, the tires did not have to do this and you should have been told that the tire would not fit in the spare tire well. The BF Goodrich Silvertowns are a little smaller, and I believe we've been told that the 670's will fit in the tire well. I think they will still be tight, but they appear to be closer than the Firestones to the 27.5 inch diameter. If you want to swap out for the BFG's, we'll be glad to swap them out for you.
The tires purchased from Lucas tire were made in the early 90's in New Zealand, so they may have not had to go through the post inflation process. I'm not doubting their quality by any means, but I think that is the main difference.
Either way guys, we stand behind our products. If you would like to swap out your Firestones for the BFG's, we'd be more than happy to help you. You can reach me via e-mail to patrickm@coker.com, or 1-800-251-6336 ext 254. Thanks for letting me post on your forum guys.
The tires purchased from Lucas tire were made in the early 90's in New Zealand, so they may have not had to go through the post inflation process. I'm not doubting their quality by any means, but I think that is the main difference.
Either way guys, we stand behind our products. If you would like to swap out your Firestones for the BFG's, we'd be more than happy to help you. You can reach me via e-mail to patrickm@coker.com, or 1-800-251-6336 ext 254. Thanks for letting me post on your forum guys.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 10,866
Likes: 717
From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
Are you saying that the "post inflation process" increases the diameter by 1 full inch?
I'm envisioning a process where the tire is blown up to a very high air pressure after the tire is removed from the mold while it is still hot and pliable. Chuck
I'm envisioning a process where the tire is blown up to a very high air pressure after the tire is removed from the mold while it is still hot and pliable. Chuck
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 116
From: AUSTIN Tx
Chuck,
That is my understanding as well. This is a current DOT requirement, and does make the tire grow substantially. This is why the C1 tires also do not fit unnder the tire board. In this case, the critical clearance issue is the width and not the diameter. The tire must be inflated to working pressure imediately after reomval from the mold.
Regards, John McGraw
That is my understanding as well. This is a current DOT requirement, and does make the tire grow substantially. This is why the C1 tires also do not fit unnder the tire board. In this case, the critical clearance issue is the width and not the diameter. The tire must be inflated to working pressure imediately after reomval from the mold.
Regards, John McGraw
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
That is exactly the case, Chuck. When the tire comes out of the mold, it's inflated to max pressure while it's still hot. It does make the tire more uniform, but it also increases the diameter. We've had some people say they can deflate them and they'll fit in the well, but some people don't like that route. Any reproduction Firestone tire that you find on a shelf today, that is made in the USA, and DOT approved will have to go through that post inflation process and will look identical to this one. I did finally get to speak with EB Vette on Friday so I also cleared this up with him. We do apologize for the confusion guys, but don't hesitate to give us a call if you need us.