Tire selection
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 199
Likes: 2
From: Suffern NY
Tire selection
I need input on which tires to put on my 70 convertible. I bought it with circa 1975 "telestar" F70- 15 white walls which have good tread but are obviously not streetable. Its a white convertible and the F 70's tires look kind of wimpy. I'm thinking 255/60 15 on the original rallies for a more agressive/ wider look but am worried about the fronts rubbbing. B.F. goodrich has a 245/60 15. Then theres the 225/70. I'm definitely going with raised white letters.
It would help me make my decision if those of you with rallys could post pics of your car and tell me what size tire you're running. Anybody go with 225-70 front and 255-60 rear?
Thanks for your input.
Jordan
It would help me make my decision if those of you with rallys could post pics of your car and tell me what size tire you're running. Anybody go with 225-70 front and 255-60 rear?
Thanks for your input.
Jordan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
Both sizes you've mentioned will fit the 15"x8" wheels with no problem. The potential problem is whether the tires (P255/60 in particular) will clear the body.
P255/60R15 became a factory optional tire beginning for the 1978 model year. That was after changes were made to the inner body panels for clearance. Prior to that, it's a car by car thing. Many have used the P255/60 tires and have had no problems at all...many have reported clearance problems.
My own theory is it depended on who was Chevrolet's vendor for fiberglass body panels at any particular time. The panels had to meet certain specifications for dimensions with some unavoidable plus and minus variations. Until Chevrolet changed the specs for inner clearance for 1978 and later, that variation allowed bigger tires for some cars and not for others. At least...that's my theory.
P255/60R15 became a factory optional tire beginning for the 1978 model year. That was after changes were made to the inner body panels for clearance. Prior to that, it's a car by car thing. Many have used the P255/60 tires and have had no problems at all...many have reported clearance problems.
My own theory is it depended on who was Chevrolet's vendor for fiberglass body panels at any particular time. The panels had to meet certain specifications for dimensions with some unavoidable plus and minus variations. Until Chevrolet changed the specs for inner clearance for 1978 and later, that variation allowed bigger tires for some cars and not for others. At least...that's my theory.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 199
Likes: 2
From: Suffern NY
Thanks for the replies. I'm leaning towards BF Goodrich 245/60 15's to minimize rubbing. I had the 255/235 combo on my 77 with the stock aluminum wheels but the 235 didn't fill out the wheel well. Tire rack has a good price on the BFG's.
Posts on the NCRS site vary as to 255's on the front of a 70. The big block sits a little lower than a SB and I'm afraid I'll end up with rubbing at 255.
Posts on the NCRS site vary as to 255's on the front of a 70. The big block sits a little lower than a SB and I'm afraid I'll end up with rubbing at 255.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 575
Likes: 0
From: Nice Lake Ontario
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 199
Likes: 2
From: Suffern NY
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