1986 Tires

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Feb 19, 2011 | 07:40 PM

1986coupe

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jun 2003

Posts: 1,079

Likes: 1

From: Niagara Falls ON

1986 Tires

I have a 1986 coupe that needs tires. I have the factory rims. The original size that are on it seem to be really difficult to find (255/50/R16)

I have been told that I could use 245/50/R16 without any problem and these are widely available. Before I spend money, is that true?

Thanks,
Bill

Feb 19, 2011 | 07:59 PM

rodj

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2000

Posts: 8,838

Likes: 31

From: Australia

Work fine but better suited to base 8.5" rims than the wider 9.5' Z51 rims

(255/50's came on both sizes from factory )

Feb 19, 2011 | 08:05 PM

JackDidley

Race Director

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 16,836

Likes: 337

From: Database Error Indiana

245s are fine. Falken makes 255s though.

Feb 19, 2011 | 08:19 PM

1986coupe

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jun 2003

Posts: 1,079

Likes: 1

From: Niagara Falls ON

Thanks!

I forgot to post that they are the base rims.

Feb 19, 2011 | 10:31 PM

pmihaltian

Slingshot

Joined: Dec 2001

Posts: 3,817

Likes: 24

From: Charlotte NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackDidley

245s are fine. Falken makes 255s though.

B F Goodrich in 16" OEM sizes are also available.

Feb 19, 2011 | 11:11 PM

JrRifleCoach

Team Owner

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 20,176

Likes: 673

From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.

St. Jude '03 thru '24

Not many options anymore. Especially if your trying to keep the speedometer calibrated.

Switching over to 17's is an alternative.....

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?width=255%2F&ratio =50&diameter=16&x=49&y=3[/IMG]

Feb 20, 2011 | 11:43 AM

c4cruiser

Team Owner

Joined: Dec 1999

Posts: 34,873

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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69

NCM Sinkhole Donor

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmihaltian

B F Goodrich in 16" OEM sizes are also available.

BF Goodridge g-force Sport is a good tire for the early 84-87 cars and the 88 when equipped with the base 16" wheels. $117 each from Tire Rack.

Jun 1, 2011 | 08:43 PM

pcreps

6th Gear

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 6

Likes: 0

From: breezewood pa

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodj

Work fine but better suited to base 8.5" rims than the wider 9.5' Z51 rims

(255/50's came on both sizes from factory )

i have the same problem finding tires for my 86, wont the smaller tires make the front air dam lower to the ground??? should i go with the next size up???

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Jun 1, 2011 | 09:07 PM

leesvet

Safety Car

Joined: Apr 2011

Posts: 3,660

Likes: 22

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcreps

i have the same problem finding tires for my 86, wont the smaller tires make the front air dam lower to the ground??? should i go with the next size up???

Don't waste yout time buying what the tire salesman HAS in stock.....thats all he cares about, is selling his inventory.
BG Goodrich still makes the stock 16" tire in the correct size, its only $125 each, and they LAST and handle very well.

ANY tire store can get those. If they claim they can't...find another store, he's lying. It's BFG...as common as dirt,.

Jun 1, 2011 | 09:49 PM

#10

coupeguy2001

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 6,050

Likes: 147

From: Phoenix AZ

2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist

I have a couple half worn 255/50/16 Khumos for $50 ea.

Last edited by coupeguy2001; Jun 1, 2011 at 10:06 PM.

Jun 2, 2011 | 12:07 PM

#11

pmihaltian

Slingshot

Joined: Dec 2001

Posts: 3,817

Likes: 24

From: Charlotte NC

These "W" rated BF Goodrich tires are available at Sears and other vendors. They are expensive, but you might find a significant discount if your search.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...2&blockType=G2

Jun 3, 2011 | 04:49 PM

#12

HlhnEast

Safety Car

Joined: Nov 2008

Posts: 4,328

Likes: 15

From: Jacksonville FL

Sams Club carries BFG, may not have the size but prolly can order it. Cheapest place to buy BFGs I think.

Jun 19, 2011 | 12:19 AM

#13

johnven

Instructor

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 142

Likes: 0

From: New Jersey

I got Dunlaps... they where the correct size..

Jun 19, 2011 | 08:19 AM

#14

pmihaltian

Slingshot

Joined: Dec 2001

Posts: 3,817

Likes: 24

From: Charlotte NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnven

I got Dunlaps... they where the correct size..

Where did you find them? I thought Dunlap tires in 16" OEM sizes were no longer available.

Jun 19, 2011 | 08:23 AM

#15

johnven

Instructor

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 142

Likes: 0

From: New Jersey

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmihaltian

Where did you find them? I thought Dunlap tires in 16" OEM sizes were no longer available.

I got them from Tire Rack and had them shipped to of all places my local Good Year dealer. that was a few years ago though.

Jun 19, 2011 | 08:27 AM

#16

pmihaltian

Slingshot

Joined: Dec 2001

Posts: 3,817

Likes: 24

From: Charlotte NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnven

I got them from Tire Rack and had them shipped to of all places my local Good Year dealer. that was a few years ago though.

Yes, I think those 16" Dunlaps are long gone. If you were to find any today, they would most likely be 5+ years old.

Jun 20, 2011 | 05:15 AM

#17

johnven

Instructor

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 142

Likes: 0

From: New Jersey

Sorry about the Dunlaps... time table is about right. they had good ratings and mine have been good.

Jun 20, 2011 | 05:18 AM

#18

johnven

Instructor

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 142

Likes: 0

From: New Jersey

You think Goodyear would make the size in a good tire. If you do a special tire like they did for GM, they should have to still make them, even on special order and extra cost. Directional tires and that Bose radio... they got a few things wrong back then. State of the art at the time, but in hind site better true and proven is better.

Jun 20, 2011 | 03:19 PM

#19

Marvolus

Intermediate

Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 45

Likes: 0

255/50/16 are not being made by anyone anymore !!!!

I got mine from a dealer out of state you can go to your local GM dealer & have them do a nationwide parts search that is what I did I paid $135 ea for my BFG's a dealer in PA had them in old stock there are some out there in the dealer network but they also are not making them any more they are advertised all over but have been on a national back order at BFG for over three years that size tire was only used on C4 CORVETTES & BUICK GRAND NATIONALS so no one is going to tool up to produce a tire that is not in demand next time I need tires I am just going to up size them a 5 on 120mm wheel will fit the CORVETTE even though the tire sites will tell you they don't check the back spaceing as GM did weird things with it on early C4's 17's & 19's are the best deal if you go to Tire 10/10 they have a great tire calculator to get the proper size tires to fit your car & keep your speedo working right GOOD LUCK