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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 310
Location: Woolwich Twp, NJ (South Jersey) | Need some help - my '56 Chrysler had 8.00-15 tires on it originally. I get confused when I go to the web sites for the conversion to metric radials. Per the conversion tables on Tirerack, DB tires, Coker, etc... my tire size converts to a 225-75R15. But... when I check the web sites a 8.00-15 measures 29.5" diameter and a 225-75R15 is 28" diameter, delta of 1.5". If I go by diameter I should be installing a 235/75R15 (29.5"). Am I right or am I drinking to much again? Oh yeah... Happy St. Pat's to ya!! 
Edited by NYer Mike 2011-03-17 7:48 PM
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Location: Under the X in Texas | Go by DIAMETER and FORGET the conversion stuff. Just make sure the diameter tire you want is intended for a range of wheel widths that your wheels fall into. Many collectors make the mistake of just checking the conversion chart and then they complain the new radial doesn't look right on the car. DUH. |
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Location: Under the X in Texas | Go by DIAMETER and FORGET the conversion stuff. Just make sure the diameter tire you want is intended for a range of wheel widths that your wheels fall into. Many collectors make the mistake of just checking the conversion chart and then they complain the new radial doesn't look right on the car. DUH. |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 5139
Location: cornpatch county, Southwest IOA | Mike, do yourself a big favor and go to Kelsey Tire in central Missouri ( google it) They sell Goodyear tires in radials and bias. Their radials look terrific and they are very knowledgable and helpful on the phone. ........................MO |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1102
Location: Hayward, Calif | Mike, My 65 N Y'r had 8.50 x 14 tires on it. I bought a set of 15'' alloy wheels and put P235/75R-15 Firestone tires on it. There was ample room for this larger tire size and looks like it belongs there and the car handles very nicely. This tire will take up to 44PSI. I'm running 40 PSI. It also seems to have a low rolling resistance factor, which helps with MPG. At $4 + a gal. for gas, every little bit helps. But,,,, there is no choice on the width of the whitewall. I can email you some pics of the car, if you want. Jerry |
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Veteran
Posts: 279
Location: Norway | This is a standard problem when using radial tires on these old cars.
You can not get a radial that matches the original tire in both height and width. The highest profile on ordinary radials is 75, meaning that the sidewall height is 75% of the width. Bias tires vary but were most often 100 profile, same height as width.
The conversion tables give you the 75 profile radial tire that comes closest in both respects but is still lower and wider than the original.
To get the right height you will have to get a much wider tire, 235/75 in your case.
But it doesn't stop there.. A 235 tire, while mountable, is much to wide for your original rims.. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 310
Location: Woolwich Twp, NJ (South Jersey) | Thanks for the help. I went with the 235/75-15's. They look good in relation to size and fill the wheel wells. I had no problem with the rims since they are 15"x 6"'s and the 235's recommend 6" - 8" rims, on the low end of the spectrum though. |
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Expert
Posts: 1220
Location: SWITZERLAND | This thread may be of assistance? - SERGE - http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=12244&posts=2&highlight=tire&highlightmode=1#M67767 |
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Ok - What size???
