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Tires...

Posted: 10/12/03 4:37pmMessage 1 of 11

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Gunslinger

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Frederick, MD - USA

Joined: 9/8/2003

Posts: 3398

Vette(s): 1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior

I want to buy new tires for my '69 that has F70-15 bias/belted tires on it. I want radials, but aren't sure what is the best size for the car. The P-metric cross reference for an F70-15 is P205/70R-15. I plan on staying with a 70-series.

I expect I can go to a P215/70R-15 with no problem, but will a P225/70R-15 fit with no clearance problems? If anyone has done this, I would like to know and hear if they had any problems with it.

Thanks in advance.

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Tires...

Posted: 10/12/03 6:53pmMessage 2 of 11

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Jimmy

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ZIEGLERVILLE, PA - USA

Joined: 11/29/2001

Posts: 66

Vette(s): 1968 Ralley Red Convertible 327 / 350 4 Speed

There was a lot of talk a few months ago about tire size and when I recently bought 4 new tires for my '68 I went with the popular choice ... Radial T/A 255-70-R-15. All the talk was about '72 and later models which have flared fender wells ... '68's and '69's don't. I didn't even get out of the parking lot when I found out the hard way that the 255's created a rub when I turned the steering wheel all the way left or right. The dealer was nice enough to install a set of 225-70-R-15's without any charge. In fact the 225's were $5 each cheaper than the 255's. I am very satisfied ... they fit and ride great. Also, the difference between the -70-R and the -60-R is that the -70 is about 1 inch taller. the cost for 4 tires with new valve stems and spin balancing was $364. Hope that info helps you out.

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Tires...

Posted: 10/13/03 6:06amMessage 3 of 11

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Gunslinger

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Frederick, MD - USA

Joined: 9/8/2003

Posts: 3398

Vette(s): 1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior

Thanks...you answered my question exactly! P225/70's are the way to go for me.

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Tires...

Posted: 10/13/03 11:31amMessage 4 of 11

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C3RVETTE

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Anacortes, WA - USA

Joined: 12/16/2002

Posts: 1293

Vette(s): 1979 Red #72 C3 Corvette,T-350,Black interior,air,tilt/tele,K&N.And a 1978 Olds Cutlass 350/350,auto,air,2-dr.,buckets

What if you went with 255-60-15's?How wide is safe with 60's? |headscratch|

Jon,-Majestic Glass Corvette Club-....Red #72,blk.interior,1979 C3 Corvette-TH350,Weiand,Holley,glass tops,Pioneer,3.55's,K&N,Dynomax,Flowmaster 40's,Energy Suspension,Spicer,VB&P(pics soon); 1978 Olds Cutlass Supreme 350/350,Dk. Blue 2-door Coupe-Hotchkis,PST,K&N,XM...'99 Mitsubishi Galant GTZ V6,black/grey leather,intake,strut bars,tint... |IMG|http://www.msnusers.com/cutlasscorvetteworkinprogress/shoebox.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=63|/IMG|

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Posted: 10/13/03 1:05pmMessage 5 of 11

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Gunslinger

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Frederick, MD - USA

Joined: 9/8/2003

Posts: 3398

Vette(s): 1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior

From what I understand, 60 series tires won't work on early Sharks. Their quarter panels don't have enough flare to let the wider tires clear. I'm not modifying the body on my '69, so I'll stay with 70 series rubber. When 60 series tires became optional, there was some criticism that the wider tires made the cars ride even rougher and tended to "nibble" at road imperfections even more. I don't need my teeth jarred even more when driving my car!

Thanks to all for your input and experiences.

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Posted: 10/13/03 1:25pmMessage 6 of 11

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blacksharkL82

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spring hill, FL - USA

Joined: 5/18/2002

Posts: 92

Vette(s): 92 coupe, full minor custom, in & out

I had 60 series on my 69-75 and now my 79. No rubs on 69/75 but the 79 rubs. you figure it. |bouncy|

michael Black Sheep Squadron |URL|http://www.rogerscorvette.com/free/lintini.htm|/URL| |URL|http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/blackvette|/URL|

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Tires...

Posted: 10/13/03 1:37pmMessage 7 of 11

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C3RVETTE

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Anacortes, WA - USA

Joined: 12/16/2002

Posts: 1293

Vette(s): 1979 Red #72 C3 Corvette,T-350,Black interior,air,tilt/tele,K&N.And a 1978 Olds Cutlass 350/350,auto,air,2-dr.,buckets

I've got the stock size now,____Slinger,and my Vette already tries to follow every rut.Hey Black____,what size do you have?My Vettes a '77,so anybody else with that year have any pointers,or examples?

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Posted: 10/13/03 2:11pmMessage 8 of 11

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Daytona69

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Fountain Valley, CA - USA

Joined: 9/11/2003

Posts: 407

Vette(s): 1969 Daytona Yellow Coupe - ZZ4/4 speed, Hurst shifter, Griffin aluminum radiator w/ Dual Spals, March Serpentine Pulley kit, Hookers with STS Racing Baffles, VB&P Suspension bits, 17" AR Hopsters, L-88 Hood

It also depends on the wheel size. 1968 was the only shark year to use 15 X 7 rims while 1969 and up went to 15 X 8. I've got 245/60/15's on my '70 and I know that 255/60/15 are also great fit on the 15 X 8 rims...they may be a little too wide for the 15 X 7 rims. |toungecool|