BB Stock Tires?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque NM
BB Stock Tires?
Ever since I bought this 26 years ago, Ive wondered what it would be like to drive with the factory tires (F70x15 Bias Ply). When the car was bought it had Dunlop Non-DOT Rain tires on it. Even with those it was a bit of fun (454LS6 Rdstr(built Like L88), M22, 3:70). I know the more senior members remember the days....so gentlemen lets get this in writing, just for the good 'ol days and of course to help me out here. When the car gets its frsh paint this summer I was considering getting some vintage rubber from Coker or should I keep the BFG meats on?
Thanks,
Larry
Thanks,
Larry
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 575
Likes: 0
From: Nice Lake Ontario
NO...NO...NO..
Being a "senior"
member I remember going from a set of F70-15 Goodyear Polyglass to a set of BFG T/A radials 
WHAT a huge ride & traction improvment!!!
The only reason I would ever put a set of bias on my car (except of course for concors show car) would be to spend an afternoon burning them off
If you drive the car even occasionally keep the BFGs
Being a "senior"
member I remember going from a set of F70-15 Goodyear Polyglass to a set of BFG T/A radials WHAT a huge ride & traction improvment!!!
The only reason I would ever put a set of bias on my car (except of course for concors show car) would be to spend an afternoon burning them off
If you drive the car even occasionally keep the BFGs
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque NM
Can you be more discriptive in your impressions of what it drove like? I would assume you could probably leave rubber in every gear. Would it leave marks on the highway at 60mph? (Could be a fun factor and make a Mustang/ricer look whimpy)
Thanks,
Larry
Thanks,
Larry
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 22
From: Yooperville MI
Originally Posted by VetteLS6
I would assume you could probably leave rubber in every gear. Would it leave marks on the highway at 60mph?
Oh yeah, I am not a senior yet, but I do have fond memories of driving this when new on bias plies, and it wasn't traction challenged, and it was good in snow too!
Last edited by crazywelder; May 14, 2006 at 11:44 AM.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: Fairfield Texas
Bought a 65 425 horse 396 new in 65, biggest tire available was
6:70 /15 bias tread,whitewall of course. Made for some xciting rides,
but thats all there was back then so everyone thought the cars were
supposed to handle like that.
6:70 /15 bias tread,whitewall of course. Made for some xciting rides,
but thats all there was back then so everyone thought the cars were
supposed to handle like that.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 10,866
Likes: 717
From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
I run my 69BB with either Uniroyal radials or Firestone bias ply repros.
The repros have been on the car for about a year, because I'm too lazy to switch them over. Have the radials mounted on another set of wheels too.
IF you have the correct, original toe in specs on the front end, the bias plys run just fine, NOT as well as the radials, but they don't track in every rut in the road.
The tracking is the result of insufficient toe in in the front end. If you look at the original alignment specs for your car that originally came with bias plys, you'll find a dispartity between that number and the specs for radial tires, which became standard in ~1973'ish.
A few weeks ago, I took a 100+ mile trip in the 69 up to York, PA, then to Carlisle, PA, and then back home. The car ran and tracked just fine. Chuck
The repros have been on the car for about a year, because I'm too lazy to switch them over. Have the radials mounted on another set of wheels too.
IF you have the correct, original toe in specs on the front end, the bias plys run just fine, NOT as well as the radials, but they don't track in every rut in the road.
The tracking is the result of insufficient toe in in the front end. If you look at the original alignment specs for your car that originally came with bias plys, you'll find a dispartity between that number and the specs for radial tires, which became standard in ~1973'ish.
A few weeks ago, I took a 100+ mile trip in the 69 up to York, PA, then to Carlisle, PA, and then back home. The car ran and tracked just fine. Chuck
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque NM
Originally Posted by chevylit
Bought a 65 425 horse 396 new in 65, biggest tire available was
6:70 /15 bias tread,whitewall of course. Made for some xciting rides,
but thats all there was back then so everyone thought the cars were
supposed to handle like that.
6:70 /15 bias tread,whitewall of course. Made for some xciting rides,
but thats all there was back then so everyone thought the cars were
supposed to handle like that.
Back in 1973 I drove a friends 390GT Mustang and it would do the same through all 4 gears. I had a 66 GTO YR coded Tripower with 4:10s and that would roast the L60s it had. I guess what Im looking for is how good are BB Vettes with the hipo factory engines and stock tires when driving and taking off...or just jumping on them down the highway?Larry
Last edited by VetteLS6; May 15, 2006 at 12:01 AM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 6
From: Nevada City California
Larry,
One of my LS-6's rides on original F 70x15 Goodyear Wide Treads, the other LS-6 rides on 255x60 15 radials. The original nylon bias belted tires twist easily with the throttle, the radials bite much better. The bias belted originals don't track very well, squirming over every rut and crack in pavement, the radials are much more smooth and forgiving.
Still want to talk with you about your LS-6, will call you.
One of my LS-6's rides on original F 70x15 Goodyear Wide Treads, the other LS-6 rides on 255x60 15 radials. The original nylon bias belted tires twist easily with the throttle, the radials bite much better. The bias belted originals don't track very well, squirming over every rut and crack in pavement, the radials are much more smooth and forgiving.
Still want to talk with you about your LS-6, will call you.