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Topic: Tire Size

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Tire Size (1/28)
 11/19/14 1:07pm
ratrayLifetime Member
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Erda, UT - USA

Vette(s):
1973 coupe. LS4, M-21, DARK SADDLE LEATHER, POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, POWER WINDOWS, A/C, AM/FM STEREO, YELLOW ( 952 ).


Joined: 8/1/2005
Posts: 197

Jeff asked about tires for his 80. I've asked about tire sizes before, and, I haven't seen anybody that is running 255/60/15 on older cars. I think that somebody said the were the stock tire in 82. In 73 the stock tire was a GR70/15. The replacement for this is a 225/70/15. I want to run a 255/60/15. The tire is a little over an inch wider, a little less than an inch shorter. I think the slightly wider tire looks good.  I have also seen at least once on this sight, and in the BF Goodrich reviews about the letters yellowing. The Cooper tires have a T speed rating, and the BF Goodrich have a S speed rating. This makes a big difference to me, because my car is so hot in the summer, my milkshake melts before I get home, unless I get home real fast.................I actually think both tires are good looking tires. Is anybody running the 255 on an older car? Have you had any rubbing issues?
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Re: Tire Size (2/28)
 11/19/14 2:50pm
manchestersharkLifetime Member
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Equinunk, PA - USA

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1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.


Joined: 10/31/2007
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 I believe one of our members is running that size on an 82'. No difficulties that I am aware of.

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Re: Tire Size (3/28)
 11/19/14 3:11pm
eboLifetime Member
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Holland Patent, NY - USA

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Your not considering going to a 16 or 17" ?
Evil Smileebo


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Re: Tire Size (4/28)
 11/19/14 5:32pm
Gunslinger
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Frederick, MD - USA

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P225/70R15 is the stock tire size for 1978-1982 Corvettes.  The only GM authorized alternate tire is P255/60R15.  You'll have no problem with them on your car since many came equipped that way from the factory.
Re: Tire Size (5/28)
 11/19/14 8:04pm
johnu
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Scottsdale, AZ - USA

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1981 Corvette Two-Tone Claret color, 4 spd, C7 Vert


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255-60-15's were OEM on my "81 with the aluminum wheels.
 
FYI.  Back in '78 to '79?  The Pace Car & Silver Anniversary models had the front fender lip trimmed on the front edge to allow for clearance of the 255-60's.  I believe that was fixed with the 1980 body.
 
If you surf around I believe you will find a 245-60-15 on the front, will clear on an earlier Shark.  The 255-60 is good on the back. 


|UPDATED|11/19/2014 5:04:43 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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Re: Tire Size (6/28)
 11/20/14 12:46am
F4GaryGold Member
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Grapevine, TX - USA

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ratray said: Jeff asked about tires for his 80. I've asked about tire sizes before, and, I haven't seen anybody that is running 255/60/15 on older cars. I think that somebody said the were the stock tire in 82. In 73 the stock tire was a GR70/15. The replacement for this is a 225/70/15. I want to run a 255/60/15. The tire is a little over an inch wider, a little less than an inch shorter. I think the slightly wider tire looks good.  I have also seen at least once on this sight, and in the BF Goodrich reviews about the letters yellowing. The Cooper tires have a T speed rating, and the BF Goodrich have a S speed rating. This makes a big difference to me, because my car is so hot in the summer, my milkshake melts before I get home, unless I get home real fast.................I actually think both tires are good looking tires. Is anybody running the 255 on an older car? Have you had any rubbing issues?


In '78, to get the 255's to fit the front, they trimmed a little off the fiberglass wheelwells down at the bottom.  That's why I went with 235's on my '72.  See if a tire store will let you pre-fit a 255 on your front to see if it will clear.


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Re: Tire Size (7/28)
 11/20/14 12:34pm
CCasey
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New Albany, OH - USA

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I ordered the optional 255/60R15 Goodyear Eagle GT's on my '80 and have the 255/60R15 Goodyear Eagle GT II's on it now.  No problem with the fit.

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Re: Tire Size (8/28)
 11/20/14 1:32pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

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Fender edges were trimmed slightly starting in '73, with the change to radial tires. It's not much, but it is enough to keep the original tires(GR70-15) from grinding on the fender lip. The '78-'79 cars with the optional tires had even more trimming done.
The '80-up cars had different fender lips(or lack of lips, actually) to start with, since the use of wider tires was the plan from the beginning. You would still need to do some mods to fit larger than factory spec tires on them, either with a different wheel, or a grinder on the fender lips.

as a side note....this is all assuming the suspension is still at the "normal" height. If the car sits a lil higher than "normal", you might not have any problems at all with a wider/taller tire. If it is sagging, then even the factory sized tire will usually grind a bit....

|UPDATED|11/20/2014 10:32:41 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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Re: Tire Size (9/28)
 11/20/14 1:56pm
ratrayLifetime Member
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Erda, UT - USA

Vette(s):
1973 coupe. LS4, M-21, DARK SADDLE LEATHER, POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, POWER WINDOWS, A/C, AM/FM STEREO, YELLOW ( 952 ).


Joined: 8/1/2005
Posts: 197

I don't want to trim the wheel wells. I don't want a taller tire either. The 235 is 27.91 tall where the 225 is 27.36 tall. I'm thinking that a good fit can be had with 245/60 which is 26.54 tall 9.5 wide 7.99 tread width. A little wider, but, I don't think it will be a rubbing problem. What do you guys think? And, as far as a larger rim, I do want a totally stock appearance. It is after all the best looking car ever made. I like the stock rims and rings and center caps better than the aluminum rims. Just my preference.  
Re: Tire Size (10/28)
 11/21/14 3:49pm
persico
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Long Valley, NJ - USA

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When I purchased my 72 the PO had BF Goodrich Radial TA 255/60R15s all around.  When doing front suspension work I noticed some rub marks from the tires on the front frame so when I replaced them I went with 235/60R15s in front and the 255/60R15s in rear.

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Re: Tire Size (11/28)
 11/22/14 3:35pm
LastBigBlock
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Lenexa, KS - USA

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My car has run the Goodyear 255-60R15 on factory rally wheels for several years with no problems......but then again, I never take it off-road....:).
Re: Tire Size (12/28)
 11/28/14 1:03pm
75stgryLifetime Member
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Las Cruces, NM - USA

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1975 Stingray Coupe - Yellow/White


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I tried 255/60/15 on my 75 had clearance issues on the front so switched to 235/60/15 on front and keep the 255/60/15 on the back. It seems like the best fit. good luck

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Re: Tire Size (13/28)
 11/30/14 7:12pm
73shark
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Overland Park, KS - USA

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1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day.


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I have run both BF Goodrich TA and Goodyear Eagle GT, size: 255/60-15. While I had no rubbing with the factory stock wheels, I did have to trim a little bit down by the forward end of the rocker panel when I switched to the American Racing Vector 8 1/2" wheels.


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Re: Tire Size (14/28)
 12/2/14 6:29pm
Hunter
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1968 Conv. L-79, 4 speed. corvette bronze


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I'm running BF Goodrich 255/60's on my 68 vet without any problems.

Hunter

Re: Tire Size (15/28)
 12/5/14 12:58pm
JMB
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Cohasset, MA - USA

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1968 coupe bought in 1999, 2nd owner, 427 custom built, 4 speed (M20), 3:36 posi rear end, Recaro seats, Intro wheels, Nitto tires, Flowmasters, etc. Painted nite race metallic blue.


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I had 255/60 R-15 in my '68 a while back. In the rear they were perfect. In the front I had problems on sharp turns. Therefore, I would recommend either 235 or 245 for the front. I currently run 18 inch rims with 245/40 in front and 275/40 in the rear and they work great. Good luck with your decision.

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Re: Tire Size (16/28)
 12/5/14 10:20pm
73shark
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Overland Park, KS - USA

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1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day.


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JMB said: I had 255/60 R-15 in my '68 a while back. In the rear they were perfect. In the front I had problems on sharp turns. Therefore, I would recommend either 235 or 245 for the front. I currently run 18 inch rims with 245/40 in front and 275/40 in the rear and they work great. Good luck with your decision.


Did you have to relocate the parking brake cable mounts on the trailing arms in order to clear the 275s?


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Re: Tire Size (17/28)
 12/6/14 12:44am
bcousins
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Jacksonville, FL - USA

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I believe the clearance may have more to do with wheel type than wheel wells. I am running 255/60s on my 79 with rally wheels and they are fine on the back but rub the front sway bar when I turn too much. I am using longer lugs and 3/8 spacers on the front. Without those I think 235/60 is max. I am going to leave the 255/60s on the back and go to 235/60s on the front and remove the spacers.

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Re: Tire Size (18/28)
 12/6/14 1:18pm
JMB
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Cohasset, MA - USA

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1968 coupe bought in 1999, 2nd owner, 427 custom built, 4 speed (M20), 3:36 posi rear end, Recaro seats, Intro wheels, Nitto tires, Flowmasters, etc. Painted nite race metallic blue.


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73shark said:
JMB said: I had 255/60 R-15 in my '68 a while back. In the rear they were perfect. In the front I had problems on sharp turns. Therefore, I would recommend either 235 or 245 for the front. I currently run 18 inch rims with 245/40 in front and 275/40 in the rear and they work great. Good luck with your decision.


Did you have to relocate the parking brake cable mounts on the trailing arms in order to clear the 275s?



No, I did not have to change anything.

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Re: Tire Size (19/28)
 12/6/14 3:04pm
73shark
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Overland Park, KS - USA

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1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day.


Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 864

I forgot that you didn't have stock wheels. Your wheels must have had a little bit more negative offset so that they could clear the parking brake cable bracket on the trailing arm.


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Re: Tire Size (20/28)
 12/14/14 1:30am
alohajohn
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I'm running 235/60x15 Goodrich TA's on my '72 on standard rims. I like the lower wider profile and have had no clearance problems other than being careful I don't bottom out..

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Re: Tire Size (21/28)
 12/15/14 7:57am
vettejackLifetime Member
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Titusville, FL - USA

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I run 255/60's on my '82 and NEVER had issues with the yellowing of letters (currently running the GY Eagle GTII).  Now, I have seen cars that run either the BFG's or GY's with raised white and found some to be "browning" or a darker shade of "yellowing" and discovered that the tires/lettering are simply dirty. I have never had any raised whites' yellow on me...and I've had both brands on my '82. I use regular car soap when washing the car and when I get to the tires to clean up the letters I use a bit of Comet cleanser (powder) on a stiff brisk brush...and this washing of the lettering will render those letters bright white for months. The only time the tire lettering 'darkens' is when I use the car a bit too long and the letters start seeing road grime. 

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Re: Tire Size (22/28)
 12/15/14 11:42am
Koosh79Vette
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Elgin, SC - USA

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1979 L-48 Chevy Corvette


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I have a 79 corvette with 255 60 15 and I haven't had any trouble with rubbing. When I first purchased the car it had 255 80 15, it didn't rub with the added height, but I changed to the 60-series, my speed-o was showing 10 mph slower than actual speed

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Re: Tire Size (23/28)
 12/15/14 10:56pm
73shark
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Overland Park, KS - USA

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1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day.


Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 864

I've had good luck w/ Bleche White or SOS pads cleaning white letters.  And white walls back in the day for that matter.

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1973 L-82 4 spd

Re: Tire Size (24/28)
 12/16/14 1:28pm
F4GaryGold Member
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Grapevine, TX - USA

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vettejack said: I run 255/60's on my '82 and NEVER had issues with the yellowing of letters (currently running the GY Eagle GTII).  Now, I have seen cars that run either the BFG's or GY's with raised white and found some to be "browning" or a darker shade of "yellowing" and discovered that the tires/lettering are simply dirty. I have never had any raised whites' yellow on me...and I've had both brands on my '82. I use regular car soap when washing the car and when I get to the tires to clean up the letters I use a bit of Comet cleanser (powder) on a stiff brisk brush...and this washing of the lettering will render those letters bright white for months. The only time the tire lettering 'darkens' is when I use the car a bit too long and the letters start seeing road grime. 


How old are your Goodyear's?


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Re: Tire Size (25/28)
 12/19/14 12:52pm
vettejackLifetime Member
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Titusville, FL - USA

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My GY tires date back to '09...less than 5K miles on them. No rot or loss of plyability.

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Re: Tire Size (26/28)
 2/12/15 4:54pm
73 MRVETTE
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255-60x15 here as well.

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Re: Tire Size (27/28)
 2/12/15 8:51pm
daveo76
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Vancouver, WA - USA

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1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.


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I'm running the Cooper 245's on my '76, no problems at all and they look proportionally correct, to me at least.

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Re: Tire Size (28/28)
 2/13/15 5:15pm
danascar
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Germansville, PA - USA

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Many brands of tire shine discolor white letters too unless you wipe off while wet.

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DanT

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