Correct tire size
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Oak Creek WI
Correct tire size
Hey guys,
I am running p225 7015 on the front of my '72. Both Goodyear and BF Goodrich recommend 6" to 7 1/2" wheels for for this size. Is it safe to run these on our 8" rally wheels?
Thanks
I am running p225 7015 on the front of my '72. Both Goodyear and BF Goodrich recommend 6" to 7 1/2" wheels for for this size. Is it safe to run these on our 8" rally wheels?
Thanks
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Oak Creek WI
My concern is that Goodyear says it's unsafe. I just got an email from them. I find it curious that this car came stock with 8" wheels, but no tire that is suggested for 8" wheels fits without rubbing in the wheel wells. I guess I will be returning my brand new chrome rally wheels and buying 7" wheels so the p225/70-15s will be mounted on a recommended width rim.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
Your car came with F70-15's on 8" wide wheels and Chevy sold many, many Corvettes that way. I won't argue with what Goodyear tells you, but they were sure happy to sell GM many thousands of 70 series tires for 8" rims.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,465
Likes: 216
From: Sherman CT
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (stock)
St. Jude Donor '24-'25-'26
should not be a problem
I have had BFG 225/70-15's for 3 years now with no problems, not even a rub,I also have the same size tire as my spare and it fits into the tub just fine.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Oak Creek WI
Yeah, you're right. It's strange that now they say you can't put 70s on 8" rally wheels. Everyone does it, right? I just started drag racing so I'm kind of nervous about not following Goodyear's advice. I'm already going faster at the finish line than our tires are rated for. I really want to be careful. I was looking at 7" rally wheels from Wheel Vintiques on the Summit site. I don't see any with a 3 1/2 backspace. I believe if I mount the same size tire from an 8" rim with a 4" backspace on a 7" rim with a 3 1/2" backspace my tire will be centered exactly the same. Sound right? Maybe I should give up on the stock wheel thing and look at aluminum wheels. I really like the stock look though.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
I think the corporate lawyers have decided that if the fine print on EVERYTHING states that its use is not approved by the manufacturer, no one can sue them for anything! 
(how's that for corporate 'double speak'?)
(how's that for corporate 'double speak'?)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,446
Likes: 314
From: Scottsdale AZ
How could it be unsafe???
Use what you have, email response is from the lowest in the food chain looking up things on a chart. Youll be OK, sue ME if your not, what could happen??? Think it through a little bit.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski