Powerhouse Posted February 23, 2011 Report Posted February 23, 2011 (edited) Hello all, Just wanted to know how to tell the difference between the E flange rims and the Safegaurd rims? I have 16" wheels all around including spare. I wanted to know if it is possible to put some radial tires on the wheels I have. My tires are worn out and need replacing. Since this is a daily driver...i would like it to handle better on Southern California freeways...a 200 mile round trip last weekend was really a pain with the bias plys. I currently run 6.50-16. My speedometer has never been accurate. I think I have a 3.9 rear(stamped on top of ham) and my speedo gear is an 18. I have read that 205/70-16 or 215/85-16 have been used with success. 205/70-16 : 8" footprint, 5.65 tall sidewalls and 27.3" tall (as per specs) 215/85-16 : 8.5" footprint, 7.2" sidewalls and 30.5" tall (as per specs) 6.50-16 : 6.25 footprint, 6" sidewalls and 29" tall (as per actual measure on car) Edited February 23, 2011 by Powerhouse Quote
greg g Posted February 23, 2011 Report Posted February 23, 2011 I would stay away from 70 series as they are shorter than stock and the lack of diameter will screw up your speedo. The safetygaurd rims would probably be a better choice as they are basically the same design as modern rims but tires should work on either. Most tire shops will probably warn you against mounting modern tires on these rims and most 70 and 75series of 205 and up width tires recommend 5 or 6 inch wide rims rather than these 4.5 inchers. I am running 225 75 15's but on a 5 inch wide after market rim. Some folks have mentioned tires sold for the rear of chevy duallys, I believe they are 195 95 16 or closeby. But they are 8 or 10 ply and pretty stiff. Quote
Young Ed Posted February 23, 2011 Report Posted February 23, 2011 I believe my old truck tires are the 215/85 r16. I have them on the stock 4.5in wide rims with no issues in 10+ years. The easiest way to tell on the rims is with the tire unmounted. There will be an additional lip inside the rim that the bead has to slip over. Quote
Powerhouse Posted February 23, 2011 Author Report Posted February 23, 2011 is there a way to tell which has the bead with tire still on? I have 5 wheels with smaller openings where the center meets the outer rim. I have one with a much larger opening. Anyone have exterior pics of rims with the bead hump in it? Maybe the outer space can help determine? With my luck - the smaller openings are the older style without the hump and then I am sunk. Quote
greg g Posted February 23, 2011 Report Posted February 23, 2011 I think the inner ridge is rolled in from the outside, so you might be able to see or feel it from the outside of the rim. Not 100% sure but worth a look. Quote
Powerhouse Posted February 23, 2011 Author Report Posted February 23, 2011 Ah..yes that makes sense! Thanks..i'll go try. Being that i work in a spun wheel manufacturing company ...i should have thought of that...hahaha. Too bad i can't get them to make me some wheels. Quote
Powerhouse Posted February 24, 2011 Author Report Posted February 24, 2011 OK...so i felt up my wheels... 2 are safety beads and 4 are not. I spoke to the founder of the company I work at about adding a bead..he said it can be done but we don't have the equipment. We can however try something...with the worst wheel I have we are going to try and add a bead of weld. We'll see what happens. We have machines that weld wheel halves together after they are spun...maybe we can get that to work. He said..."Don't worry it's just metal":eek: Quote
Young Ed Posted February 24, 2011 Report Posted February 24, 2011 Just to throw this in the mix. I traded wheels with someone on the truck side because the one didn't have the safety ridge visible from the outside. However there was still the lump of a safety rim on the inside. Quote
Powerhouse Posted February 24, 2011 Author Report Posted February 24, 2011 hah....back to the old drawing board:rolleyes: thanks. I hope for my sake they have the hidden safety ridge. Quote
maurice wade Posted February 25, 2011 Report Posted February 25, 2011 I have been running a set on my Plymouth for about 2 years now. I have them mounted on stock 16' rims. I did install steel valve stems. I never add any air to the tires. After putting the new tires on the car, The measured difference of ground height was little to none. The car handles perfect. No drift, and the ease of steering is much better than before. The ride is much smoother than the old bias tires. I do suggest putting the tires on with a manual tire machine. MW Quote
Powerhouse Posted February 25, 2011 Author Report Posted February 25, 2011 I am considering that size(205/70R16) and also 215/70r16. TIRE: HEIGHT, SIDEWALL, FOOTPRINT 205/70R16- 27.3, 5.75, 8 205/75R16- 28, 6, 8 215/70R16- 28, 6, 8.5 Quote
greg g Posted February 25, 2011 Report Posted February 25, 2011 Stuff I have read indicated the safety rim was introducen in Late 41. Should have been pretty much standard after that unless you have the hd split rims. Quote
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