P-15 Tires

[randroid]

Gents,

I know there's been discussion on which tire sizes do well on our cars but after searching under several headings I come up only with sizes for trucks.

Over the last several years I've been given a bunch of 195-60-R15 tires for my '84 SAAB by folks who bought new SAABs, which take a different size. Seems to me that they'd fit several of our cars, Pigiron included. The load range is correct but is a 60 series too wide for a P-15?

Thanks for any input.

-Randy

[Adam H P15 D30]

I have that size on the front of my 49 Dodge, it is lowered about 2" though. Too small for the rear.

Adam

[55 Fargo]

Randy, with a stock suspension, diff etc. The Tire size should be minimum P205 75 15, = 27.1 inch diameter, the 195 60 15 has a diameter of 24.2 inches.

You do the math, with a 3.90 or 4.11 diff, this car would be winding up so going over 50 mph would be a nightmare.

A lot of the guys with stock engine,drivetrain, and say 3.9 or 4.1 diffs, opt for even taller tires, like a P225 75 15, to lower the Revolutions per mile, which lowers engine RPM.

So unless you have a lowered car, anda higher geared rearend, I would say stay away from these tires, except for just rolling the car around the yard while your fixing her up.

[Oldguy48]

The P15 wheels are only 4.5 inches wide. I think even the 205/75R15 size that seem to be popular with our cars recommend a minimum of 5 inch wide wheels. I really don't know how much of an issue this is, but I'll be watching this thread, because I'll soon be in the market for new tires for mine. And I'm struggling trying to find the proper size to purchase.

[Powerhouse]

Here's the specs for a tire that size...

FORMULA: (Width mm) / 25.4 x (.ratio)

(Tread Width)/(ratio of sidewall to tread width)R(rim diameter)

195/60r15:

7.67” Footprint

24.2” Overall Height

4.6” Tall Sidewall

[randroid]

Gents,

As always, thanks for your informative input.

Fred,

I think you answered my question most succinctly in that the the last thing I want to make Pigiron resemble is a low rider. I like low riders but that's not what I have in mind for her.

-Randy

[BobT-47P15]

Randy, I use a 6.70 x 15 bias ply tire which is about the same height

as a P 215 x 15 radial. I think it sits about right with those.

I had some 205 x 15 radials once, made it sit an inch or so lower.

Just my two cents.