Tires
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 420
Likes: 0
Tires
Ok I know probably this topic has been Beat to death but I'm looking for new tires for my 74 coupe and love the raised ***** letters look thinking about going with the bfgs radial ta
My question is what is the widest tire I can go with out rubbing the fenders I see tire rack has the 235 70 15 and a 255 70 15 but no 245 80 15
Would I get away with a 255 70 15 ??
My question is what is the widest tire I can go with out rubbing the fenders I see tire rack has the 235 70 15 and a 255 70 15 but no 245 80 15
Would I get away with a 255 70 15 ??
Drifting
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,353
Likes: 44
From: Calgary Alberta
With a 74 it will be hit or miss (pun) with the 255s...the stock replacement size with radials is 225 70. Later C3s had an inner fender mod from the factory to handle 255s. Smart money says you're likely to get some rub in the front with 255s when turning. Be nice if you could demo some.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,484
Likes: 311
From: Scottsdale AZ
as long as it's 60 series - - you should be just find provided your suspension hasn't been tinkered with.
There's a ton of good reading as you can imagine - -try searching on BFG . . or 255 and see what you get - - should be just fine.
There's a ton of good reading as you can imagine - -try searching on BFG . . or 255 and see what you get - - should be just fine.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 315
Likes: 5
From: Sheboygan Wisconsin
I ran 255/60/15's on the stock Rally rims with no problems on my '74, but when I switched to 8.5" wide aluminum wheels the right front tire rubbed the fender. I switched the front tires to 235/60/15; problem solved.
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 9
Years ago, I installed 255 60R15's on my '74 convertible. I had some minor clearance issues where the tires rubbed the rear of the front wheel openings. Had to grind the fender slightly. They looked great. And they made the car corner like a stone on a string. You will need to upgrade your sway bars to take advantage of these tires.
However, I didn't replace them with 255's because the tires would grab every groove in the road and make it feel twitchy. When they wore out, I switched back to the 225 70R15's and the steering feel was much improved. But, IMHO, the 225 70's are too tall. The speedo always read low, as measured against my GPS.
So now I have the 235 60R15, Firestones. Sort of a compromise between the two sizes. I like 'em. And my speedo is almost dead nuts up to about 70 MPH.
However, I didn't replace them with 255's because the tires would grab every groove in the road and make it feel twitchy. When they wore out, I switched back to the 225 70R15's and the steering feel was much improved. But, IMHO, the 225 70's are too tall. The speedo always read low, as measured against my GPS.
So now I have the 235 60R15, Firestones. Sort of a compromise between the two sizes. I like 'em. And my speedo is almost dead nuts up to about 70 MPH.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,487
Likes: 83
From: Titusville Florida
I've checked my speedo with my GPS and it's dead on (I have the 255/60's), but yes they do like to be pulled around by groves in the road but I had just assumed that is because it really needs an alignment badly, just waiting to get my suspension rebuilt before I fork out the money on an alignment...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 147
From: S Nevada
I like to window shop for tires at www.tirerack.com. You can spec out different tires easily. The 255/60/15 tires spec out very similar to the stock size tire originally equipped. Maybe a 1/2" wider. That should not cause the car to wander around. Worn suspension parts with good tires will.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 341
Likes: 2
From: Elderslie, Scotland
I'm looking at getting new tires (tyres over here 
) nad the ones on the car at the moment are 245 60 15's. Never heard of the make. The popular tyre here is the BFG. Do you recken I should stick with the 245? or move down to the 235 60 15?
Advice always welcome
) nad the ones on the car at the moment are 245 60 15's. Never heard of the make. The popular tyre here is the BFG. Do you recken I should stick with the 245? or move down to the 235 60 15?Advice always welcome
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,919
Likes: 3,333
From: NYC NY
Glad the 255s fit with no issues. See that's the problem with these what fits and what hits threads. On some cars there are no issues. On others there is rubbing. It makes it hard give advise that's cut is stone.
Enjoy the ride.
Enjoy the ride.