78 Tire Sizes
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 46
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From: Eastern Ontario
78 Tire Sizes
Hey Guy's,
I want to get new tires for my 78, presently running with 245/60-15 and want to go with 255/60-15 on the car.
Now, can someone please verify that by changing that the fronts will not rub on my 78? I have been told conflicting stories and want to make sure before a purchase.
I'm sure this has been brought up more then once, but couldn't find it using the search option.
I really appreciate any and all responses...
Thanks!
I want to get new tires for my 78, presently running with 245/60-15 and want to go with 255/60-15 on the car.
Now, can someone please verify that by changing that the fronts will not rub on my 78? I have been told conflicting stories and want to make sure before a purchase.
I'm sure this has been brought up more then once, but couldn't find it using the search option.
I really appreciate any and all responses...
Thanks!
Platinum Supporting Dealership
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 13
From: St. Marys Ohio
You'll see the 78's with optional 255/60 had clearance areas cut out in the wheel well lips by the factory. Don't have an example here on the floor to show you a picture.
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Tom Hendricks tom@budschevy.com
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Tom Hendricks tom@budschevy.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Buds-Chevrolet-Buick-Corvette/176730955684255?ref=hl
Corvette Specialist Since 1993
BUDS CHEVROLET
St. Marys, Ohio
800-688-2837
WEBSITE WWW.BUDSCHEVY.COM
HOURS MON-WED 7:00AM - 5:00PM
FFRIDAY AND SATURDAY BY APPT.
OFF THURSDAYS
NCRS # 23758 Miami Valley Chapter ( Ohio )
NCM Founding Member #1143
NADA Classic Car Guide Advisiory Board Member
C5/C6 Registry Corporate Member # 5
My Corvettes. 63, 71, 73, 78.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 14,345
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From: Hartselle AL
St. Jude Donor '09
They've been on for the ~18 months that we've owned the car. Looking at the tread wear, much longer than that. As to if it shipped that way, can't say, but do believe I read that that size was available/an option for in 78.
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: St. Marys Ohio
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,223
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From: Northeast
Your invoice should tell you if it was ordered that way. If not ?
Check the lip of the fenders for trimming . Cars originally equipped with 60 series tires had the front fender lip trimmed from a few degrees forward of the twelve o'clock position to allow turning room for the larger tires. The inner corner of the fender lip aft of the front wheel was also trimmed. In this area a small triangular section of the fender was cut away, sometimes allowing the rocker molding to protrude slightly into the wheel area. (from NCRS manual)
Put your hand under the fender and feel the lip and see if it ends at about 12o/clock.
Check the lip of the fenders for trimming . Cars originally equipped with 60 series tires had the front fender lip trimmed from a few degrees forward of the twelve o'clock position to allow turning room for the larger tires. The inner corner of the fender lip aft of the front wheel was also trimmed. In this area a small triangular section of the fender was cut away, sometimes allowing the rocker molding to protrude slightly into the wheel area. (from NCRS manual)
Put your hand under the fender and feel the lip and see if it ends at about 12o/clock.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 46
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From: Eastern Ontario
Fantastic... I am totally blown away by the responses to help me out.
I will check for the lip as you mentioned Tom and report back my findings.
Thank you all once again, first class...!!!
p.s. I will try and get some pictures up of the Vette
I will check for the lip as you mentioned Tom and report back my findings.
Thank you all once again, first class...!!!
p.s. I will try and get some pictures up of the Vette
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,367
Likes: 221
From: Beecher Illinois
Your invoice should tell you if it was ordered that way. If not ?
Check the lip of the fenders for trimming . Cars originally equipped with 60 series tires had the front fender lip trimmed from a few degrees forward of the twelve o'clock position to allow turning room for the larger tires. The inner corner of the fender lip aft of the front wheel was also trimmed. In this area a small triangular section of the fender was cut away, sometimes allowing the rocker molding to protrude slightly into the wheel area. (from NCRS manual)
Put your hand under the fender and feel the lip and see if it ends at about 12o/clock.
Check the lip of the fenders for trimming . Cars originally equipped with 60 series tires had the front fender lip trimmed from a few degrees forward of the twelve o'clock position to allow turning room for the larger tires. The inner corner of the fender lip aft of the front wheel was also trimmed. In this area a small triangular section of the fender was cut away, sometimes allowing the rocker molding to protrude slightly into the wheel area. (from NCRS manual)
Put your hand under the fender and feel the lip and see if it ends at about 12o/clock.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 81
Likes: 1
From: South Carolina
P255/60r15 on my '78
My fenders were never trimmed. I suppose there are some that DO need trimming--but I think it all depends on WHO installed the body to the frame at the factory, and to what degree. As you can see in the pics, it was close, but no rubbing! You can make an agreement with whoever you buy your tires from--that in the event they rub then you don't have to purchase them. That's what I did.
With tires turned outwards--.25 inch clearance outside tire and near bottom back of front fender!
With tire turned inwards--.25 inch clearance on front outer tire and bottom fender!
I've since cleaned and polished those wheels!
With tires turned outwards--.25 inch clearance outside tire and near bottom back of front fender!
With tire turned inwards--.25 inch clearance on front outer tire and bottom fender!
I've since cleaned and polished those wheels!
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: South Carolina
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,885
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Cool, photos help!
Here an assumption - if someone didn't have photos or detailed descriptions (such as the above) to use as a reference - if the factory's door sticker says 255/60R15 for tire size then should anyone assume that size will fit with no clearance issues? Here's a pic of my 78s tire sticker on driver's door that left me to believe 255/60s would be fine. I haven't bought the tires yet but I'm just saying. I'm mostly curious as to the accuracy of the tire size number on the door versus what actually does fit w/o issues. Sorry for the elementary question.
Here an assumption - if someone didn't have photos or detailed descriptions (such as the above) to use as a reference - if the factory's door sticker says 255/60R15 for tire size then should anyone assume that size will fit with no clearance issues? Here's a pic of my 78s tire sticker on driver's door that left me to believe 255/60s would be fine. I haven't bought the tires yet but I'm just saying. I'm mostly curious as to the accuracy of the tire size number on the door versus what actually does fit w/o issues. Sorry for the elementary question.
Platinum Supporting Dealership
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 13
From: St. Marys Ohio
Cool, photos help!
Here an assumption - if someone didn't have photos or detailed descriptions (such as the above) to use as a reference - if the factory's door sticker says 255/60R15 for tire size then should anyone assume that size will fit with no clearance issues? Here's a pic of my 78s tire sticker on driver's door that left me to believe 255/60s would be fine. I haven't bought the tires yet but I'm just saying. I'm mostly curious as to the accuracy of the tire size number on the door versus what actually does fit w/o issues. Sorry for the elementary question.
Here an assumption - if someone didn't have photos or detailed descriptions (such as the above) to use as a reference - if the factory's door sticker says 255/60R15 for tire size then should anyone assume that size will fit with no clearance issues? Here's a pic of my 78s tire sticker on driver's door that left me to believe 255/60s would be fine. I haven't bought the tires yet but I'm just saying. I'm mostly curious as to the accuracy of the tire size number on the door versus what actually does fit w/o issues. Sorry for the elementary question.
The sticker in my 78 indicates the 225/70 tires that my car was ordered with.
Last edited by ratmotortom; Mar 18, 2009 at 10:26 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,367
Likes: 221
From: Beecher Illinois
If the door sticker says 255-60s then that's what came on the Vette, BUT, keep in mind it's 30 years old and any front end body repairs probably did not include trimming of the fenders(ask member swatato!).
As mitch's pics show the 255s can fit without trimming, but it's close. The trimming doesn't necessarily mean the tires would hit, probably just a little insurance they wouldn't, most likely when turning and hitting a dip in the road at the same time.
I'm positive, or at least real sure, that all 78-79s with the bigger tires were trimmed. Also, 79s with the Pace Car spoilers were trimmed to better line up the spoiler end pieces regardless of tires. There were also a few reports of trimming on a few 78-79s with the smaller 225-70 tires, but basically mistakes.
So are yours trimmed or not?
As mitch's pics show the 255s can fit without trimming, but it's close. The trimming doesn't necessarily mean the tires would hit, probably just a little insurance they wouldn't, most likely when turning and hitting a dip in the road at the same time.
I'm positive, or at least real sure, that all 78-79s with the bigger tires were trimmed. Also, 79s with the Pace Car spoilers were trimmed to better line up the spoiler end pieces regardless of tires. There were also a few reports of trimming on a few 78-79s with the smaller 225-70 tires, but basically mistakes.
So are yours trimmed or not?
Last edited by KapsSA; Mar 18, 2009 at 10:40 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,885
Likes: 1
If the door sticker says 255-60s then that's what came on the Vette, BUT, keep in mind it's 30 years old and any front end body repairs probably did not include trimming of the fenders(ask member swatato!).
As mitch's pics show the 255s can fit without trimming, but it's close. The trimming doesn't necessarily mean the tires would hit, probably just a little insurance they wouldn't, most likely when turning and hitting a dip in the road at the same time.
I'm positive, or at least real sure, that all 78-79s with the bigger tires were trimmed. Also, 79s with the Pace Car spoilers were trimmed to better line up the spoiler end pieces regardless of tires. There were also a few reports of trimming on a few 78-79s with the smaller 225-70 tires, but basically mistakes.
So are yours trimmed or not?
As mitch's pics show the 255s can fit without trimming, but it's close. The trimming doesn't necessarily mean the tires would hit, probably just a little insurance they wouldn't, most likely when turning and hitting a dip in the road at the same time.
I'm positive, or at least real sure, that all 78-79s with the bigger tires were trimmed. Also, 79s with the Pace Car spoilers were trimmed to better line up the spoiler end pieces regardless of tires. There were also a few reports of trimming on a few 78-79s with the smaller 225-70 tires, but basically mistakes.
So are yours trimmed or not?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Eastern Ontario
Thank you all very much for your input and especially the pictures...!!!
What a great community and proud to be part of it...!!!
What a great community and proud to be part of it...!!!
Last edited by JoeWilly; Mar 19, 2009 at 11:49 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 14,345
Likes: 4
From: Hartselle AL
St. Jude Donor '09
Just looked and yes it is trimmed and the door sticker says 255/60/15.
Another bit of corvette trivia added to the database.