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I have a chance of buying some Bias Belted Coker Firestone Wide White Wall at a heck of a price. Yes I would prefer radials, but the price is outstanding. The only issue is that they are 14 x 7.50, instead of the suggested 14 x 8.00. Any thoughts?
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If you don't mind seeing a lot of the wheel wells then the 7.50 X 14 tires will look just fine. The bigger issue is how much are you going to drive the car. Driving with bias ply tires certainly takes some getting used to compared to radials. The smaller size is going to make it even more challenging. I normally save my wide white wall bias tires for shows and put on an inexpensive set of radials for normal driving.
JohnJohn Pizzi - Squarebirds Administrator
Thunderbird Registry #36223
jopizz@squarebirds.org 856-779-9695
https://www.squarebirds.org/picture_gallery/TechnicalResourceLibrary/trl.htm -
Jopizz that sounds like the way to do it.
Can you recommend any cheap 14" radials?
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You might want a whole new set of rims and tires just for every day use. Used rims and tires can be had for next to nothing at junk yards.
It would be a whole lot less trouble to swap out rims with tires already on, then changing out tires on the 14" rims.
If you go this route be careful of the rim design. I have 15" rims right now and the lug nuts do not go all the way on to the wheel studs. There is a raised portion on the rims that make the studs too short.Comment
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14" radial tires are common and plentiful, everywhere. Shop the tire stores.
I totally agree with John in that bias ply tires are downright dangerous. They weren't so bad when everyone else had them too but that's not the case any more.
It's the same story with drum brakes, seat belts and many improvements that ALL modern cars have today. The other guy has no idea how much more room your classic car needs.
Bias ply tires squirm terribly which makes them wear out much faster but more importantly, they don't hold the road as well, especially around bends and while braking.
When these classic cars were new, we were very lucky to get 20,000 miles from a set of even the best tires because radials were not around yet. I will never go back to bias ply tires or drum brakes. - DaveMember, Sons of the American Revolution
CLICK HERE to see my custom hydraulic roller 390 FE build.
"We've got to pause and ask ourselves: How much clean air do we need?"
--Lee Iacocca
From: Royal Oak, MichiganComment
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Steven you have been given very sound advice on your tire purchase. Definitely radials on these old gals
Dano Calgary,Alberta Canada
Thunderbird Registry
58HT #33317
60 HT (Sold )Comment
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Well, thinking it's a difference of about .6 inches. If you can live with that slightly over 1/2 inch difference. The idea of a different set for highway and road trips is the best solution in my opinion. The bias-ply wide whites cannot be outdone when you are looking at original. I'd guess you'll take a hit at the shows for the size difference.AustinComment
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I got these for around $200 for the set.
59-430-HTComment
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An option is Cooper. The trendsetter has a narrow whitewall & is avai in 215-75-14 which is very close.
I have em on mine (mine are 225-75-14 - No longer avai in that size.
But they are smooth, quiet & wear well. They have a good warranty also.
$140 ea (aprox)Last edited by byersmtrco; October 11, 2017, 04:33 PM.Comment
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I also use 225/75/14, but mine are Cokers 2 1/2" Whitewalls.
They look good for the size of the car, & I get a good ride.
Chris.....From OZ.Comment
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You can get these at Walmart for less than $54. It says WW even though the picture shows the blackwall side.
JohnJohn Pizzi - Squarebirds Administrator
Thunderbird Registry #36223
jopizz@squarebirds.org 856-779-9695
https://www.squarebirds.org/picture_gallery/TechnicalResourceLibrary/trl.htmComment
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I put the 15 X 6 wire rims on my car with 225X75X15 Classic whitewalls. I measured everything out as my main concern was the clearance of the fender skirts on the rear. I had plenty of room, so I figured I was good to go. Took the car around the block and smelled a faint burning rubber. I checked the front end and found that the inside of the tire was rubbing against the upper ball joint. Big disappointment. I ended up putting a 5/16" spacer between the drum and rim and this solved that problem. The next hurdle was to find lug nuts long enough to use the spacers. Finally got that solved too after buying a lot of new lugs and many hours on the computer. Again, this is something to check if you want to run 225 tires.
NylesComment
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Thanks for the recommendations and those Hankook H724 radials have a 70,000 miles warranty? Maybe not such a cheap tire after all?
Here is the 14" version. UTQG 500-A-B, S Speed Rating.
https://www.amazon.com/Hankook-Optim...7FSHQ3ECNTFQMH
$50-$55 each is the going price.
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Yep, 15" X 6" rims work very nicely with proper back spacing. That's the key. By adding spacers, you simply increased your wheel's back spacing. 3.5" back spacing works well on 6" X 14" rims for a Squarebird. The next concern is, will it clear calipers? Just about all modern rims will because all modern cars have disk brakes. OEM rims will not.
Look in the catalogs, like summitracing.com. They always include back spacing as part of their wheel dimensions. - Dave
CLICK HERE to see my custom hydraulic roller 390 FE build.
"We've got to pause and ask ourselves: How much clean air do we need?"
--Lee Iacocca
From: Royal Oak, MichiganComment
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Thanks!
Thanks for all the replies. I have decided to NOT purchase the Bias Wide Whites even though they were a heck of a deal. I picked up at set of original rims from Eric, the Pres. of the Saginaw Valley Thunderbird Club (Michigan). I will be putting a set of Coker Wide White Radials between now and the spring. I am also now on the hunt for some "Sunray" style 1959-1960 Thunderbird Wheel Covers if anyone has a cheap lead on one or a full set.
Thanks again for the input,
StevieBComment
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