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What size radial tires on your 49 to 54 Chevys?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by 52HardTop, Aug 16, 2009.

  1. 52HardTop
    Joined: Jun 21, 2007
    Posts: 1,078

    52HardTop
    Member

    Would you Chevy guys like to offer what size tires your running? I'm looking for tires for my 51 convertible. I am going with a wide white. My car may be leaning towards a more early 60s look? I just don't want a thin white like it has now. I'm looking at the 205/75R15. It's a 27 inch tall tire. Or would the 195/75R15 at 26.15 inches high. I have the CE bolt in so I can adjust a little lower. I have Posies dropped springs in the back and have about an extra inch between the spring and rear now. Would the 195/75R15 look too small in the wheel well? What do you think folks? Thanks, Dom
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  2. PurplePearl50
    Joined: Aug 1, 2007
    Posts: 816

    PurplePearl50
    Member
    from Sedalia,Mo

    I have P205/75R14s on mine and its 26.5" Dia. I have Poise Super slides with a 3" block. When I hit a good bump the frame hits the axle. Im getting ready to notch the frame out so it wont happen any more.
     

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  3. Germ
    Joined: Apr 11, 2001
    Posts: 1,321

    Germ
    Member

    There is no radial that fits as good as "No" radial at all". Poetry from the podium of supersecretville(tm).............. IN TIRE WORLD..........If triumphant endeavor in mans vision was suppose to be pictorially painless, then the corners ONE cuts for comfort could be called principal......That might work until the lens aims in its diagonal devil,and CLICKS the forensics of fallacy that become the glove that fit O.J............

    Of course you could pray that some editor with a "praise the lowered" tattoo airbrushes in some Firestone Bias Ply's just like they did to cover up Britney Spears pimple collection for the cover of vogue .........

    At least OZZY was in a wedding dress when he urinated on the Alamo....

    germ
     
  4. TexasHardcore
    Joined: May 30, 2003
    Posts: 5,030

    TexasHardcore
    Member
    from Austin-ish

    6.70-15

    fuck radials.
     

  5. I just run tires that are round, from 50 feet or at 50 MPH they all look pretty much the same.

    From Chevytalk.org I learned that most guys who run raidals on these run the 15-inch 205s, they're about as close as you can come to the size of the bias-plies they originally came with new. So that's probably where you want to go, especially if you're running an original drivetrain and don't want to mess up your speedometer's accuracy.
     
  6. 49ratfink
    Joined: Feb 8, 2004
    Posts: 18,828

    49ratfink
    Member
    from California

    I believe I had 215 70 15's on mine. 6 or 7" rims. they came with the car. I'd prolly put a 185 70 15 if I were going to replace them. I see no need for giant tall tires on a car you want to be low.

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    185 75 14's here

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  7. aceuh
    Joined: Apr 17, 2008
    Posts: 1,361

    aceuh
    Member

    We're running a 205/75-15 on my wifes 54. I don't know if I've got any shots of it while it's aired up or not though.

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    I didn't like the thin whites to begin with either....but they've grown on me considerably.

    According to the guys who were "there" pinner whites are actually more era correct for an early 60s build.....but who cares, run the wide ones if you can afford em and like the look.
     
  8. Lobucrod
    Joined: Mar 22, 2006
    Posts: 4,122

    Lobucrod
    Alliance Vendor
    from Texas

    205-75-15 is supposed to be the closest replacement for the original tire. i'm running the $60 Goodyears from Wally world cause its a Lobucrod.
     
  9. Lucky444
    Joined: May 14, 2006
    Posts: 1,151

    Lucky444
    Member

    I'm sure this thread'll fire up yet another Radial vs. Bias Ply debate!

    I think 205/75 R15's will fill up the wheel well just right. Mine are Goodyears from Lucas Classic Tires in Long Beach.
     

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    50 customcoupe likes this.
  10. Ned Ludd
    Joined: May 15, 2009
    Posts: 5,025

    Ned Ludd
    Member

    Radials have been around for a long time. The older designs won't have an aspect ratio in their size designation, which means they have the default ratio of 82%. So, a 185R15 is the same as a 185/82R15, and that works out to 26.9". Actual tyres will differ slightly.

    By the way, you can calculate a radial tyre's diameter (roughly) by the formula:

    overall diameter (inches) = width x aspect ratio / 1270 + rim diameter

    or:

    overall diameter (mm) = width x aspect ratio / 50 + 25.4 x rim diameter

    As it happens, you can get a 185R15, correct for mid-'60s, with either a V speed rating or a white sidewall, but not, as far as I know, both.
     
  11. 52HardTop
    Joined: Jun 21, 2007
    Posts: 1,078

    52HardTop
    Member

    Well thanks for the input fellows. The consensus seems to be the 205/75R15s. Hey Dane, those are 14s on the Fleetline? They look like 15s the way they fill the wheel well. Lucky444, your coupe looks real nice. The whites look like they may be 2 inches? I'd love a white just a little smaller then the common 2 1/4" I see on the 205s. Hey Germ, don't forget your medication..:) For the rest of you guys, no thanks, thanks, thanks , thanks, thanks and thanks again.
    Dom
     
  12. PurplePearl50
    Joined: Aug 1, 2007
    Posts: 816

    PurplePearl50
    Member
    from Sedalia,Mo

    Yeah they are 14s $190 bucks a piece from Kelsey Tire.They are radials but they have the orginal Goodyear Diamond Walls from 50's you cant tell they are radial.
     
  13. Lucky444
    Joined: May 14, 2006
    Posts: 1,151

    Lucky444
    Member

  14. happy hoppy
    Joined: Apr 23, 2001
    Posts: 2,327

    happy hoppy
    Member

    my bias are Firestone Deluxe Champion, 6.70-15 with a 3 3/4 white wall mounted on black 53-54 stock steel wheels.

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    my radials are Diamond Backs, P215/75R15 with a 2 1/2 white wall. mounted on red 49-52 stock steel wheels.


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  15. 54 belair rat
    Joined: Aug 4, 2009
    Posts: 17

    54 belair rat
    Member

    WOW happy Hoppy that stance is on point ! Id love to see full pics !!!
     
  16. happy hoppy
    Joined: Apr 23, 2001
    Posts: 2,327

    happy hoppy
    Member

    thanks 54 belair rat,
    its currently in-operable, it was due for a much needed face lift and mechanical repairs.

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  17. 54 belair rat
    Joined: Aug 4, 2009
    Posts: 17

    54 belair rat
    Member

    It is for sure one great looking car! Love the color/ sheen combo!Thanks for the picture it is for sure a laid out fine ride!
     
  18. slammed49
    Joined: Sep 22, 2006
    Posts: 283

    slammed49
    Member

    That car is BAD-ASS!....I run 205/75/15 on stock wheels on my 49,not quite that low (wish it was)
     
  19. 53sled
    Joined: Jul 5, 2005
    Posts: 5,817

    53sled
    Member
    from KCMO

    I had the same, I finally put in 2" blocks to make the drive nicer. Missouri roads are rough!
    I'm going to put on some taller tires on 15s for better hubcap choices, and to reduce freeway rpm too.
     
  20. 54 belair rat
    Joined: Aug 4, 2009
    Posts: 17

    54 belair rat
    Member

    ahhh you guys are killing me with these cars !! I wanna lower mine now!!! lol Ive only had mine 2 weeks But did alot in it replaced the tired 235 with a 61 235 40 over ( out of the first truck i ever owned when I was 13 I drove in a cow pasture (never swap a car with a truck motor )lol over all new brakes wheels tires gas tank and fixing nick nacks as the next week or so is for the new inside I have spred all over my spare bedroom to install and then she becomes a sled!!
     
  21. 52HardTop
    Joined: Jun 21, 2007
    Posts: 1,078

    52HardTop
    Member

    Man you guys, all your cars are so effin nice! Not to sound ghay :rolleyes: but the lines on all the 50s Chevies are almost sexual in a way. They're round, full and oh so smooth to the touch! It's like being a pre teen and seeing Playboy for the first time. I feel naughty just staring at them. :eek: Thanks,:D
    Dom
     
  22. Someone needs a cold shower!!
     
  23. PurplePearl50
    Joined: Aug 1, 2007
    Posts: 816

    PurplePearl50
    Member
    from Sedalia,Mo


    I can run down the highway at 80 at about 1800 rpms I have a 2.14:1 gear ration in the damn thing haha
     
  24. THE BRONSON
    Joined: Jan 14, 2008
    Posts: 338

    THE BRONSON
    Member

    Any of you guys ever run or heard of anyone running 7.10x15 WWW on 15 x7" wheels. I have a 53 210 and was wondering how this would look.
     
  25. bonez
    Joined: Jul 16, 2007
    Posts: 3,487

    bonez
    Member
    from Slow lane

    I was gonna start a new thread about tyre sizes and did a search just in case.
    Found this one, and think it could suit.
    Tyres i want are just like these on the chebby, radial pinner whites,
    49RF says theyre 185/75/14,
    i have 14" smoothie wheels 5 and 6 inchers and really wanted to find a lil
    smaller than 185, like 175 or 165, possibly a 60 series or 65.
    It seems like everywhere i look the smaller size available is 205???:eek::confused:
    Do you guys know who sell this kinda tyre? if anybody of course.
    I would do w/ the 185 only if it was the smaller option available,:(
    and i know there is a 65 series only aint sure about 60,
    which would be just perfect.
    Re cap, tyre sizes im looking for are the following:

    165/60/14, which would be the sweetest or
    175/60/14, which would still be nice or
    175/65/14, which would be just as the above
    of course w/ thin white band, either 1" or smaller.
    Any help will be greatly appreciated.
    Thanx a ton, Nick.
     
  26. Gambino_Kustoms
    Joined: Oct 14, 2005
    Posts: 6,561

    Gambino_Kustoms
    Alliance Vendor

    radials suck firestones or nothing!
     
  27. fraso
    Joined: May 26, 2006
    Posts: 162

    fraso
    Member

    I've had bias-plies on my 65 Barracuda (6.50-13s) when I first got it and hated them. Radial tires are a huge improvement if you like driving your car.

    Rather than looking up the cross-reference for your OE tires, you can always calculate the correct size by working backwards from the speedometer. The following page has sample calculations:

    Tire Upgrades
     
    Last edited: Jan 30, 2017
  28. onedge
    Joined: May 25, 2006
    Posts: 999

    onedge
    Member

    darn this thread makes me want a 49-54 chevy car more than I already did.
     
  29. Von Rigg Fink
    Joined: Jun 11, 2007
    Posts: 13,418

    Von Rigg Fink
    Member
    from Garage

    think mine has 205 75 r 15 front
    215 70r 15 rear..it might be a 65 aspect ratio on the rear ..i forget
     
  30. 49ratfink
    Joined: Feb 8, 2004
    Posts: 18,828

    49ratfink
    Member
    from California

    I've said it in a previous post and I'll say it again. the cars I own are made to drive. when tooling down the road no one will know what kind of tires I have. to me to put expensive shitty tires on my car to look cool (?) parked at a show is just plain goofy.

    talkin full bodied 40's or newer cars here.... a nice early 30's car with no fenders or hood with a cool vintage mill would be a different story since tires are out in the breeze.
     

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