I would like to replace the 185/65/15 tires of my BN2 with 185HR15 because they look much more authentic than the low-profile tires I am using now. Does anybody have any experiences whether 185HR15 tires (with 5,5x15 wire-wheels) have enough space to the body or do I have to take 185/70HR15?? Thank you for your help!!!
Wolfgang

I used pirell P6 195 front, 205 rear on my BN1, although its got the narrow drums, researched the diameter of the original 6.5/6.95 tyres and used that as a starting point, nothing fouls, although I think the BN1 has a greater cut out profile on the front guard also, and my springs and coils had been reset to original specs

Wolfgang,

I'd recommend 165/80/15
I think they are close to the original specs, and easier on the steering.

John

I just purchased 165x80R 15 for my BN-2. The brand is Kuhmo. I have not mounted as of yet. They were reasonably priced.
Kip N

Thank you for your advise. My car wears 185/65 15 in the moment which do not look very nice especially with the BN2 wheelarches. I like the Vredestein Sprint Classic tires very much because of their classic-style-lookS and their driveability. Unfortunately they are not available in 165 15. A classic car tire specialist over here told me that he is not sure that 185 15 will fit and I should better try 185/70 15, which however look a bit strange with the lower profile.... Wolfgang

I have just fitted 185/VR/15 to a BN4 with 5.5 wire wheels and they look superb,fill the wheel arch well without any fouling,used Vredestein tyres and customer is very pleased with the look and the extra ground clearance,steering light and positive.Not sure if there is a difference between BN2 andBN4 arches.

hi mike,
this sounds great! could you be so kind and send me a few photos of your healey with the new tires. I would be very happy!!!!!!
wolfgang
(mail: wgeislergmx.de )

The BN1 actually has about 1.5" smaller/lower cutout on the front arches than the BN2 & later cars.
D

there seem to be enough space for the standard 185/15 in my opinion. what do you think?
wolfgang

Unfortunately I am not skilled enough to upload the photo in a correct way. I`ll try again.

175-80R/15 Michelins rubbed a bit on my BN2 front wheel arches when turning. The front is lowered about 1.5 inches though. 185's maybe ok with stock height on a BN2? Possibly rub on a BN1.

The only way you will know for sure is to try it.
D

Hi Dave, by the way: the car I am asking the "tire-question" for is the former car of bill emerson who has restored it in the 80`s. It later went to Australia and then to the UK. Of course I am desperately searching for some history about the car. Just in case you know anything about the car.......
thank you, wolfgang

I'm sure that it's not a question of skill because even I have done it! I think that it's a question of a bad URL that you're using. Check the URL where the pic is posted.

thank you. I ll try again..... Wolfgang

To add a pic, this works for me if the pic is on your hard disk. I believe the pic must be in jpg format & less than 250K in size. png format files may also be accepted though I haven't tried it.

1- At the bottom of the message box "switch to Full Screen Reply"
2- At the bottom, click on "File Manager"
3- Click on "Browse". The files on your hard disk should be displayed.
4- Scroll to the pic you wish to attach & select it.
5- Click on "Open"
6- The file manager should now show the title of your pic below the "File" box.
7- Click on "Add File"
8- The named pic will now be shown above the box.
9- Select more pic up to five, in the same way, or click on "Done Adding Files"
10- "File Manager", below the box, will now show a "File Total"
11- Click on "Submit"
You are done!

If your pic is not less than 250K you will need to resize it & or decrease the resolution to 72 dpi. There are lots of pic resizing & file type changing programs available.

If the pic is under some, minimum size, don't know the size, it will display directly in line. There are ways to make larger sizes display in line also, but I don't bother with it.

Good luck,
D

a new attempt......

Hi Dave,
finally I was successful based on your explanations..... Thank you!!!!
Wolfgang

Thanks for that Dave Russell I wasnt sure which way they went!
While going out to check the overall dimension of what I thought was an old 5.50x15 tyre on a rim still inflated to assist 356roadster I discovered it to be a 5.5x16! B F Goodrich Silvertown!
The rim is definately off an austin, and now makes me wonder if my BMHT cert showing my BN1 was imported into Oz with 16" wheels was not a typo, since I have found an old fourintune article mentioning that the 100S prototypes trialled same

Hi Wolfgang,
Glad to help.
Very nice car, I'm glad you got it posted.
D

Hi again,sorry wolfgang but the car went out of the shop, last weekend ,I will try and get the owner to e-mail me some fotos,must remember to take fotos of the cars we get through the workshop.The owner was looking at 185/70/15and I suggested the 185/80/15,they have a diameter of 640mm and 677mm respectiveley,when fitted left a nice gap between the tyre and arch.

From memory I had problems,(ie a tight squeeze) getting the 185 into the spare tyre slot, ended up using a 175 for the spare

I saw a BN2 of a friend of mine today. The car has standard height and 185/80HR15 Avonīs fit very nicely into the wheelarches. In the end I really have to try and hope to be lucky.....

My new car will come from the UK next week. I am really looking forward having it in my garage. I had two 100īs 15 years ago and could not resist buying one again because I like the shape so much.... As I wrote in my former post it is Bill Emersonīs first healey which later went to Australia and then back together with NOJ392 to the UK. Unfortunately I do not know too much about the carīs history (especially in Australia). If there should be anybody out there who knows the car, I would be delighted to receive some information.

thank you, wolfgang

Finally I have taken a new set of Vredestein Sprint Classic in 185 HR 15. The tires fit very nicely and I could mount them with out any changes on fenders or body. Attached pls find some pics for your information. Thank you again for your advise!!!

Wolfgang,

A very nice looking car you have !



Ed

Hello 356roadster.

Nice looking car, there's nothing quite like high profile tyres on a Healey to make it "look right".

You might want to get in touch with The Healey Factory in OZ as they may be able to help. Send them details of your car i.e engine/chassis # and or body #.

There were very few Healeys that made their way to OZ since the early 80's that didn't go through them so you may get lucky.

Regards,

bundyrum.

Hi Ed, thank you for your compliments. I am really enjoying my new baby.

Hi Bundyrum,
I have been in touch with the healey factory and they have sent me very nice informations concerning my car, which - you are totally right - went through their hands to the UK.

Wolfgang

Wolfgang,
Good to see they gave you some history on your car