Who's replaced their wheels...

[blueskies]

... what size radials are you guys running on your aftermarket wheels?

I want to stick with wide whites, so I'm looking at three different brands:

Coker Classic $176(215) / $172(205) each

BFG Silvertown Radial $184(215) / $179(205) each.

Diamondback $169(215) / $168 (205) each.

The Diamondbacks are the least expensive, and have the widest white @ 3". The Cokers and BFG's whites are 1/2" smaller. I may be able to get the Cokers for less than the Diamondbacks though, by becoming a $50 HAMB Alliance member. Or, may be able to get the BFG's for about the same price with the HAMB discount. Diamondback is not a HAMB Alliance vendor like Coker. Damned expensive, but if you want the wide whites, you gotta pay the price...

I'm looking at two tire sizes:

P205/75R15 and P215/75R15

My current bias ply tires are G78-15's, and they 9/16" taller, 1/16" narrower at the cross section, and have the same tread width as the 205's.

The G78's are are 1/16" taller, 9/16" narrower at the cross section, and have a 7/16" narrower tread than the 215's.

I think I like the size of the 215's best, but wondering if there would be clearance issues with the extra cross section width, assuming the backspace of the new wheel is the same as the old. These would be 9/32" wider toward the inside of the wheel, and 13/16" wider on the outside (1/2" wider wheel than stock). Getting the rear wheels off as they are can be a pain, they just fit under the low cut fender.

I have not gotten under the car to check it out yet. I don't want to deal with rubbing.

All this may be moot, unless I put all this on a credit card and pay it off later... I don't have the Ca$h for this big expense before Tulsa. I need to buy five wheels, four WWW tires, and one cheap radial for the fifth wheel spare. That's about $1200 plus shipping and mount/balance. ugh.

I may be lovin my bias plys for another 3,000+ miles (at least).

[Don Coatney]

...I don't have the Ca$h for this big expense before Tulsa. I need to buy five wheels, four WWW tires, and one cheap radial for the fifth wheel spare. That's about $1200 plus shipping and mount/balance. ugh.

I may be lovin my bias plys for another 3,000+ miles (at least).

Pete;

Wont matter much. Nobody spends much time looking at the second (actually last) place car in the BIG RACE. You might investigate porterwalls as a cost reduction:D

[Plymouthy Adams]

It is a shame the cost of tires just to have the WWW's..if this is any consulation to you when purchasing your next tire..go to a show where cars running WWWs will be present. Walk around..look at the amount of weight and system of balance for each type tire...I did this one time just for the heck of it and found that the BFG's to be the only tire with less weight affixed for balance. This will speak volumes in the tire's manufacturering process. The 54 came with WWW's when I bought it...they will go away in the not so distance future..never to return...personal choice..same as type of balance..I still mount and balance my own tires...I am fortunate enough to own this equipment...brand name tools...not that HF stuff...which is ok if you are working on a lawn tractor.

[blueskies]

Pete;

Nobody spends much time looking at the second (actually last) place car in the BIG RACE.

Remember now, that can cut two ways... LOL

Pete

[anthonyb]

Pete,

I just put a set of Diamondbacks on my 41 P11. They're 215/75R15 on 5.5" rims. Not sure what year the rims came from but they have the guide stud hole.

I've only taken a brief test drive due to the 4 1/2" of snow we just had but there didn't seem to be any clearance issues. I could take some measurements/pictures for you if you'd like. I even have the full size wheel covers on them with no indication that they'll leave the wheel on their own.

Total cost was $753 for four tires and shipping with another $12 for dynamic balancing. What the heck. It's only money. You'd just spend it on something useless like rent, food, clothes, gas.....

[Normspeed]

My wheel covers are staying on pretty good with the radials and stock rims Pete.

[58prostreet]

I have a 52 dodge with the oval valve stem holes....I have bfg silvertown 670x15 tubeless.....I found a site called Patchboy who sells an oval valve stem. I think the part # is 17501OV...u can measure the hole, length and width and call them to verify the part #...anyway, they have been on the stock rims for about 6 months now and have not lost any air...I'm running dog dish caps so I can't speak to the wheel cover part, but th stem should fit thru the cap hole...

Good luck

[jimwheeldon]

I would like to find some cheap-stock looking wheels. Do any of you know what fits -that would be easy to find and inexpensive? It's been a tight year but I'd like to at least have all the same size on her! The seller bragged that my car was "complete " down to the spare. In my giddiness I didn't realize until I got home That the spare and both front wheels are the wrong ones.

only the back two match. One front is a truck wheel and the other is a

14"...not like it would have mattered, I fell in love with the old bucket when I saw it, I was takin' her home -hell or high water!

[Normspeed]

Jim, what part of the country are you located in? I have 3 stock 50 coupe rims in my parts pile. 15" with hubcap clips.

[Brad Lustig]

I have a 52 dodge with the oval valve stem holes....I have bfg silvertown 670x15 tubeless.....I found a site called Patchboy who sells an oval valve stem. I think the part # is 17501OV...u can measure the hole, length and width and call them to verify the part #...anyway, they have been on the stock rims for about 6 months now and have not lost any air...I'm running dog dish caps so I can't speak to the wheel cover part, but th stem should fit thru the cap hole...

Good luck

Apparently diesel trucks still use the oval stems. I brought my oval rim to one shop that happened to work on trucks (after having no luck at about 5 other places) I told the guy I've had trouble finding a stem for it. He gave me a funny look like I must not have really tried looking. He had a stem and tire on that rim in about 5 minutes.

[jimwheeldon]

I'd love to have wheels...but you live in sunny Calif. while I shiver away (8" of snow yesterday!!!!) in anything but balmy South Dakota. I have a feeling the shipping costs would be dear. Thanks -I'll check and see what it would cost to send them up here. I appreciate the help!