Trie/clearance Question C2 - Duke

[Rob M.]

I just put a new tire on my 5.5 x 15 spare wheel. I went with a service replacement Firestone 205/75r/15 per the JG and cost. After getting it home and only briefly trying to get in the spare tire tub, I came to the conclusion that it's not going to fit. I'm no tire expert, but the tire seems too tall. What's the deal? I just read the thread below and Duke mentions 215/70 for tire size (max tire size) for a C2. What are the major differences between the 215/70 and the 205/75? Should I have bought the 205/70?

I would appreciate an education, thanks in advance.
Rob
39795

[John Thomas]

Re: Trie/clearance Question C2 - Duke

Rob
I have a 215/70 in the tire tub of my 67 coupe. The 225/70 will not fit.

[Jack W.]

Re: Trie/clearance Question C2 - Duke

not posting in place of Duke, but there are two ways a tire won't "fit" in a tub, either its diameter is such that it won't go into the tub (not curable) or the section width is such that you find you cannot get the tid/tray closed (fixable, with longer hanger bolts, sold in graduating lengths of standard, KO and Gold line lenth by LICS, among others).

As for diameter issues, from what I have seen/read, the original spare tire tub will not accomadate a 215/70R15, while a repro will - mine is a repro and my 215/70R15 Firestone 500 radial goldlines (DB) do fit, although had to use the longest hanger bolts up front and a medium length hanger/lock bolt in the rear . . . . .

hope this helps ., .

[Stephen L.]

Re: Trie/clearance Question C2 - Duke

The 75 series tire is taller than an equal 70 series.... I don't know how much difference there is when you also go from a 205 to a 215. However, if you look under Goodyear tires on Google you will find a chart that gives all the dimensions which should answer your questions

[Duke W.]

Re: Trie/clearance Question C2 - Duke

There are many issues with spare tire fitment in the tub, and I'm not sure if I understand them all, but the tub dimensions may have changed slightly over the years and repro tubs might be slightly different than originals.

The 205/75 and certainly the 215/70 are wider than the OE 6.70s and 7.75s, but they are about the same OD if not a little shorter, and I can recall that wrestling a 6.70-15 into the tub could be a chore.

There are a couple of paths you could follow. First, the new 205/75 probably has 11/32" tread depth, so if you have a place with a tire shaving machine shave it down to 3/32" you have reduced the OD about a half-inch. If it then seems to wide you can try the longer cover hanger bolts that were designed for KO wheels.

The other is to find a used 205/75 that is down to the wear bars or a little above, and if a thorough visual inspection doesn't indicate any serious flaws have it mounted.

You could also buy a "reproduction" OE size, but some of them are too big (OD) to fit, too.

Duke

[Rob M.]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts *NM*