What brand/size tires???

[tragic59]

I know this is a jack-ass question, but I forgot to take down the tire size info off of my tires before I had the tire shop take them off my wheels, so that I could have them powder coated.

Now, I'm ready to order some tires, and the rims are at the powder coaters, so I can't even measure them.

Anybody got any recommendations on what wide white wall radial tire I should run on my stock 51 Plymouth wheels? I'm looking for specific size to order, as well as recommendations and experiences with different brands and distributors.

Thanks.

[Normspeed]

Tragic, what look are you going for? Restored, mild custom, ? My manual says the 51 stock tire was one of two: 6.40 X 15 or 6.70 X 15.

My 53 called for 6.70 X 15. It came from the prior owner with slightly oversize G78-15 bias plies. I went with Michelin Symmetry P215 70R 15 radials (narrow whites). The look may not be what you are going for, but the handling is fantastic. I guess you'd call my car's look the mild custom/survivor/rustbucket look. Picture shows the Michelins.

[BobT-47P15]

There are the wide whitewall radials from Diamondback.

[greg g]

I am running 205 75R 15's on my 46 coupe. These are a little short, as the originals were 600 16's so my soeedo reads about 6 mph faster than my actual speed. 215 75's would have been a better choice. So I guess at 2500 miles a year, these 40,000 mile rated Uniroyals from Wally World should need to be replaced in 2026. Guess I'll let someone else woryy about it........

[Dennis Hemingway]

I am running P205 75R 15's on my 48 P-15.

Dennis:cool:

[BobT-47P15]

I had 205 x 15 radials on for a while. I think the 215 is a better size. The car sat just a smidge lower with the 205s.

[james curl]

I can hardly get the 205 radial into my spare tire well. It is real tight between the mounting plate and the opening to the wheel well, have to forcethe tire in and out. Tried 215 radial and could not force it into the well. I wanted the 215 R 70 15 radials as they are closer in diameter to the original tires but when I could not get the tire into the spare tire well went with the 205 R 75 15's. My speedometer reads 5 miles per hour faster than car is traveling.

[greg g]

Well its a spare, it round. black, and holds air, it's a 40 year old 6.70 15 firestone champion with a tube. I sure if I need it it would do its spare duty till the new tire could get fixed.

[tragic59]

Thanks for the input guys. This is exactly the type of discussion I was hoping for. I wanted to hear the pros and cons of various sizes, types and brands...

[Brendan D25]

I have P215-85-15 on my D25(p15). A friend of mine with a P15 coupe changed to radials of the same size and had a problem mounting the spare. I advised him to cut the frame of the tire holder and move it in a few inches and weld or bolt it back together. He did so and it works good. Brendan.

[Reg Evans]

Diamondback radials. 750-16 rear and 700-16 front. Next time it'll be 700-16 rear and 650-16 front.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v154/olddodges1/J%20Lo/MVC-021S.jpg

[steveplym]

I know this has probably been discussed before, but I assume everyone is running their original wheels. I have 205 75 R15's on my '47 Sedan with aftermarket wheels.

I'm having trouble with clearance problems with the wheels, but like the handling of the radials. I assume I can put my radials on my original wheels?

[greg g]

What are you running for wheels. You should be able to put on up to 7 in wide wims with the proper backspacing (not more than 3.5 inches) Is your clearence proble front or back????

[steveplym]

The clearance problems exist during hard turns on the left frt wheel. It rubs the inner part of the tire closest to the rim. Also having problems on the left rear tire rubbing the fender. Also I was wanting to change back to the original wheels if possible, because we had a slight accident with it last year and hit the curb. Did so damage to the left frt rim. Had vehicle aligned so that should not be the cause of my clearance problems. Also this was a problem before I hit the curb.

[greg g]

As noted before you can run 215 75 15 radials on stock rims either tubless or with radial tubes. If you go tubless, I would suggest you buy a set of screw on two piece valve stems especially if you have rims with oval holes for the valve stems. Make sure the bead area is nice and clean. What size tires are you currently running??

[steveplym]

I'm running 205 75 R15's. I had the large whitewall tires on the car when I bought it on the original wheels. I'm not sure what size they are as I put the wheels up in the attic a couple of years ago. Will have to get them down and see if I can mount the radials to the orig wheels. Thanks for the help.

[Dennis Hemingway]

I am running my P205 75R 15's on original 48 P-15 wheels with no clearance problems.

Dennis:cool:

[steveplym]

I am running my P205 75R 15's on original 48 P-15 wheels with no clearance problems.

Dennis:cool:

Cool, thanks. By the way where did you get the trim rings for your car, and what size are they?

[Dennis Hemingway]

I got my trim rings from Checker, Shucks & Kragen Auto Store, they are 15".

Dennis

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=CSM&MfrPartNumber=48889&CategoryCode=3214

[BobT-47P15]

Dennis's trim rim is from a later model of car....there is more of it, which looks kinda neat actually.

The older, more original style trim ring, was not as wide.

[steveplym]

I received my trim rings yesterday and had my tires switched over to the original wheels. I think they look really good.

The pic with the wheels I used to have is on my profile page.

They fit much better and the tires do not rub the upper control arms like they used too. I think the aftermarket wheels I bought were the wrong size as the back spacing was not enough. Thanks to all for your ideas!

[/img]

[Dennis Hemingway]

That looks good.

Dennis:cool:

[steveplym]

Dennis, did you have any problems with the trim rings being loose?

They seem a bit loose, but tight enough that the rings won't fall off the wheels.

[Norm's Coupe]

Dennis, did you have any problems with the trim rings being loose?

They seem a bit loose, but tight enough that the rings won't fall off the wheels.

If you feel the trim rings are loose, you can fix that. Just take them off and bend the little metal tabs out further that hold them on. That will tighten them up for you. Bend a little at a time and go all the way around the ring. Of course, this will also make them harder to put on too.

[steveplym]

If you feel the trim rings are loose' date=' you can fix that. Just take them off and bend the little metal tabs out further that hold them on. That will tighten them up for you. Bend a little at a time and go all the way around the ring. Of course, this will also make them harder to put on too.[/quote']

I'll try that. Thanks for the tip.