VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Mechanical - Engine, Trans, etc TIRE SWITCH 670-15 to radial

am looking at tires for my 50 sedan delivery would like to keep the stock look by staying with black bias ply so am looking at G-78/15 or H-78/15 but no luck in finding a deal at the moment know this question asked before is it okay to run radials on the older stock rim and what size radials are guys running on their 50's cars thanks

I used radials on my 1951 for many years on original wheels. They were still on it when I sold it.

I run 205/75R15s on my 53. I got them at Walmart on sale. I use the stock wheels without problems. Be advised that size is common for trailer tires so make sure you're not buying trailer tires if you buy that size.

Tiny has offered good advice. A trailer tire will have the Letters "ST" as part of the tire size molded into the sidewall.

are 205's tires tall enough or should go up to 215 or 225

dont know much about radial tires are 215 or 225 higher then the 205 bought a sedan delivery so will be asking a lot of questions on our website i hope i didnt get in over my head on this purchase have had a coupe since high school but the S.D. IS ENTIRELY NEW TO ME

ps. cant type very good either

Almost exactly the same. The 6.70x15 tire diameter is 27.4". The 205/75 diameter is 27.1". Without power steering the wider the tire the harder it is to turn at slow speed.

so i take it the 2054 is the tire size to go with correct

Whatever you want to use is "correct". If you're interested in judging points buy 6.70 bias ply. If you're not interested in points and want the better handling, the 205 is closest to the 6.70 (the 205 is just over 1" wider) but a lot of folks use a 215 tire. It's just slightly taller and a larger footprint. I prefer the 205 because it's easier to turn at low speed. The fellow I bought my 53 off of put 235s on the front and 255s on the back. Those 255s were a bear to get off the car.

While the 215 or 225 will fit the wheel, there will be a lot more sidewall bulge and crowning of the tread. Plus there could be clearance problems due to the greater width and height.

Remember that the original tire had a section width of 6.70”. A 205 is about 8.1” wide.

I also agree with the steering effort concerns. Even if you could find the same width in a radial it will steer harder than a bias ply tire. That is one reason I will not even consider radials on my ‘37. It steers hard enough as is!

will keep looking for bias ply tires i think a f78 or a g78 would be the way to go if can find them have found 2- g78/15 no f 's so far thanks for your replies they have been very helpful

Another aspect to consider is if you change rims is to add the same width each side of centre as that affects the steering alignment and effort to turn as well.
Tony

If it were me, I would go with radials if I didn't want or expect that I would ever wan the car to be judged or that it would otherwise score well enough that the 16 points(?) off the top would'n matter that much. If I did want it to be judged and the points off would be devastating to my pride, etc, then I would get as close to the size as was available for the car as offered by the factory back when it was built. It would be as simple as that.

As to the harder steering owing to the tire's footprint, just practice turning the car while it is in motion rather than static. Generally he more the front wheels are moving/turning relative to change in steering the less the effort needed. Yeah, I know, that's a no brainer also.

I think Coker makes/handles several options in either bias ply or radials. The good stuff costs more just like it does for anything else. So bite the bullet, raid the misuses pocket book, sell a pig or two and do whatever you reasonably can to satisfy your mind so that afterwards you have no regrets. Remember: when it comes to pampering our old Chevrolets, money is just a detail and pride in it is everything Is too!

Best,

Charlie

BTW: As to 37/38's steering hard, well ... What, can I say. Maybe you should have test driven the car before buying it. I sure do feel your pain. Not really.

BTW2: Important: Put the money back in the missis's pocket book before she discovers her "mad money" is missing. Being nice to her for a change may extend the span of time before you screw up again and she decides to go shopping while experiencing the instant "hissy fit." You know.

BTW3: Do not show or mention BTW2 to the missus. Doing so will show your hand and you may regretfully experience life out there sleeping with "Rover" for quite some time. Generally, "Rover's don't like to be cuddled or sleep in the "spoon" position. Just saying. You've been warned.

When I went back to bias 670-15's I got them from Coker, Firestone branded. They have done very well and I like the low speed ease of turning. It did take a little time to get use to they way they feel on the road.

Dave