65 spare tire tub

[John C.]

Can someone clarify something for me. I just got my spare tire lock from Pete and upon investigating the tub, I discovered the lid won't close all the way due to the width of the spare tire, and yes the spare is incorrect. But here's my question: I noticed there are two different length tire bolt lock sets. One is about 7-1/4" long and the other is about 8" long, Tire Lock Bolt,spacer,bkt SET (#S8-13C)Red/Gold ARMOR HDMK
this is the longest bolt -
use for gold lines, red lines
or radial tires.
So, why is one bolt longer than the other? If a longer bolt is required, it would appear to me the tub wouldn't shut completely due to the wider tire thus requiring a longer bolt ????? It appeared to me there is one tub for all late 63's thru 67, regardless of the tire mounted on the car from GM.
Is there a different lid for the wider tire ? Or, same tub and lid for all tires from GM but different length bolts for narrower tires vs a wider tire and when the wider tire is stored and the longer bolt used, the lid just won't completely close ?
JC

[Don H.]

Re: 65 spare tire tub

You got it John,
the lid hangs lower with the longer bolts, and won't completely close with the wider tires.

[Russ S.]

Re: 65 spare tire tub

The longer bolt is for the 6 inch wide ko wheel while the shorter is for the 5-1/2 inch wide steel rim.

[John C.]

Re: 65 spare tire tub

HA, ok. That makes since. I looked up the OEM tire sizes trying to figure all this out. What I found was stock tire size was 7.75 x 15. Supposedly, this tire size is about the same as a 215/70x15. Correct ?
So what size tire came on the 5-1/2" steel wheel and what came on the 6" KO wheel ? I put a set of CA direct bolt KO's on the car, but I have a steel wheel in the tub. I'd like to put the right size tire on it so the tub will close completely.
JC

[Russ S.]

Re: 65 spare tire tub

Both used the same size tire but on a wider (KO) wheel the tire sidewalls are going to expand out farther. I don't know how close the 215/70x15 is to the 7.75X15 is but years ago I always heard that the 195/70x15 was the closest you could get. Of course these aren't available today. I do have a NOS set of 195/70 Michelons that I plan to mount some day. It will be interesting to see if they fit the tub.

HA, ok. That makes since. I looked up the OEM tire sizes trying to figure all this out. What I found was stock tire size was 7.75 x 15. Supposedly, this tire size is about the same as a 215/70x15. Correct ?
So what size tire came on the 5-1/2" steel wheel and what came on the 6" KO wheel ? I put a set of CA direct bolt KO's on the car, but I have a steel wheel in the tub. I'd like to put the right size tire on it so the tub will close completely.
JC

[John C.]

Re: 65 spare tire tub

That explains why there was only one size shown. Thank you sir !!!!!
JC