Tires
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 149
Likes: 3
From: Chadron Ne
Tires
I am in need of some decent tires for my stock 72 but am having trouble finding any or any tire salesmen that know anything. I like the look of a wider tire and would like to go with BFG radial TA 255/15/60. I have seen others post that this size fits but with the price of tires, I just want to make sure. Any others with this size tire and do they work well? Stock size is 225/15/70
Thanks
Mike
Thanks
Mike
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
Chevrolet didn't authorize 60 series tires until the '78 model year after some modifications were done to the body panels for clearance. For model years prior to that, it seems to be a car by car thing whether 60 series fit OK or rub. Tolerances in body panel manufacture and whether springs have compressed all seem to make a difference.
The only way you'll know is to mount new tires and see. Stick with P225/70R15 and you know there will be no issues.
I have P215/70R15's, which is the radial metric equivalent to the original F70-15 for my '69 and they fill the tire wells quite nicely.
My two cents.
The only way you'll know is to mount new tires and see. Stick with P225/70R15 and you know there will be no issues.
I have P215/70R15's, which is the radial metric equivalent to the original F70-15 for my '69 and they fill the tire wells quite nicely.
My two cents.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
Apparently, 255's will fit on the back just fine. But, you will only be able to guarantee that 235's will fit in the front without rubbing. I have 235's on my '71 and they fill the wheelwells just fine. Tires wider than that may stick outside the fenders and increase the amount of 'road rash' on your paint.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,186
Likes: 41
From: Pinecrest FL
2015 C3 of the Year Finalist
I just ordered 245/60/15 redlines from diamondback for my 69.
The car had almost new 25 year old tires on it. They got me home with no issues, but at 45-50mph they felt like the were square.
No rubbing issues, but it is very close, so I doubt 255's would have worked on my car.
Gary
The car had almost new 25 year old tires on it. They got me home with no issues, but at 45-50mph they felt like the were square.
No rubbing issues, but it is very close, so I doubt 255's would have worked on my car.
Gary
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,972
Likes: 6
From: Chester Virginia
I have BFG RWL TA 255 x 60 x r15 on all four on 8.5" rims and they are right at 26" diameter. The original tires are slightly greater in diameter. No rubbing including running them on VIR's track three weeks ago. Mine is a 1976. There is some kind of spacer on my rotors I guess it is where the wheel and tire mounts for clearance on the brake calipers I guess but I don't know how to measure to express that accurately to you. Mine work perfectly and I run them at about 30 psi in air, cold. On a track you'd run them up 3-5#'s more than that to stiffen the sidewall for the greater sidewall forces. You can see them on my photo gallery.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 355
Likes: 202
From: TEXAS
I labored over this decision for quite some time...
TODAY...I went out and replaced my 225/70/15 set which came with the car and is just about the only thing on it that I havent had to or elected to replace yet...and bought a set of BFG TA Radials in 255/60/15
Now, Ive only driven it home....but I had the installer drive it around in the parking lot slowly after he finished slapping them on. Ive got a SLIGHT fender rub at the back of the front left fender and a SLIGHT rub at the inner fender at the frame.....but not anything severe. I'll probably trim the fender slightly....but thats it..
You cannot beat the look. I contemplated 275's on back....but am glad I didnt do that. Too fat.. This set looks "right"..
TODAY...I went out and replaced my 225/70/15 set which came with the car and is just about the only thing on it that I havent had to or elected to replace yet...and bought a set of BFG TA Radials in 255/60/15
Now, Ive only driven it home....but I had the installer drive it around in the parking lot slowly after he finished slapping them on. Ive got a SLIGHT fender rub at the back of the front left fender and a SLIGHT rub at the inner fender at the frame.....but not anything severe. I'll probably trim the fender slightly....but thats it..
You cannot beat the look. I contemplated 275's on back....but am glad I didnt do that. Too fat.. This set looks "right"..
