proper tire size to replace 5.90-15?

[britlover]

Guys- I think I ordered the wrong Vredesteen tire for my 100. Original Dunlops are 5.90-15, I got these 155-15 Tires mounted today without standing one up next to the car... they are about 1.5 inches smaller in overall diameter. Should I send them back and go for 165-15? I don't recall how I came up with 155, but I'm sure I saw it on a site somewhere... Darn it! What size do you guys use on your 100?

 

[Bobbydsport]

Brit, I put 165-15 Vredesteens on my '67 BJ8 & they look fine but I kind of wish I had went with the next size up which I think is 175-15.The BJ8 sits a little higher than the 100's but I think the 165-15 would be fine on your 100.

Bobbyd

 

[britlover]

I found a site that lists modern tire size equivalents for the old tires... says 165-15 is the one. Just ordered them, will send these back after swapping... expensive mistake.

 

[steveg]

Longstone Tyres recommends 180 x 15
https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/

This is the closest to the original radial equivalent of 175 x 15, which evidently is no longer available.

IMHO 165 x 15 might be smaller than normal and extra-low to the ground.

I just ordered the 180s from GB and they came to California free shipping in about a week.

Was formerly running the 185/70 x 15 Vredesteins and they are great tires but the higher profile Longstone Michelins will give a better ride and ground clearance.

 

[Michael Oritt]

Steve--

See my topic posted yesterday regarding my just having put Michelin 180-15 XAS's on my 100. BTW I got them from Coker.

 

[britlover]

180 section width is much wider than the original 5.90-15. OD does get closer though.

 

[GregW]

The original Road Speeds were very close to 26" in diameter.

 

[RAC68]

There are a number of calculators on the web that will give you the diameter of a tire in the size you prefer. However, since every manufacturer seems to vary a bit from what is considered standard size, it is necessary to look at the manufacturer’s specification to get the dimensions they planned for their product and compare it to the very close to 26” Dunlop Road Speed size GregW has presented.

In general, common available models of modern radial tires seem to follow a pattern of the wider the tire the shorter the sidewall. In a 165 size, I have found that the 165R15 which used to translate to 165/85 R15 now sometimes is more like a 165/80 R15. Even when 2 manufacturers present a 165/85 R15 as their designation, I have found that there was as much as ½” difference in total diameter between then.

When my 64BJ8P1 was new, my original Dunlops lasted a little more then 6 months of city daily driving and weekends of 4 wheel drifting around PA mountain turns. My replacements, recommended by Healey and BMC, were Pirelli Cinturatos in 165R15 size. Although they held the road extremely well and matched the diameter, they were not as much fun.

As Steve and others have commented, you have a broad choice of tires that will fit but few that will come close to matching the actual diameter of the original Dunlop RS 590. The closest size matches, are for the most part, uncommon sizes and usually very expensive. I have chosen the Vredestein Classics in the 165 size and find them to be tall enough for my Phase 1 BJ8 (with the same frame and suspension as prior models and the added encumbrance of a transverse resonator) to clear all obstacles on a rough road… so far.

Good luck on your choice,
Ray (64BJ8P1)

 

[steveg]

Just got back from having my Longstone Michelin 180's mounted:

 

[TimK]

This is a similar photo of my now 24 year old 175 x 15 Michelins. Looks like the 180's are a good replacement for mine.
The 175's are about 27" in diameter. 165's are only about 25". That's a big difference.

 

[stretchit2]

Steve - Tires look great, what do you think of the ride?

Jeff

 

[britlover]

Well, I decided I'm sticking with the 155R15. Moss lists them as one of the proper replacement sizes for AH 100 on 4" 48 spoke wheels. OD is 25.4 I can't justify the expense of shipping them back, dismounting, remount/ balance for an extra .6 inches in OD. The width is actually closer to the 5.90-15 tire than the 165-15.

 

[RAC68]

Hi guys,

I love the look of both and the clearance. What is the diameter of the 180s and the cost of both? I am planning on replacing my 165s … probably around 10 years from now and hope to be still driving my Healey at age 82. Although, I can always win the lottery and accelerate that plan and a number of others.

Ray (64BJ8P1)

 

[healeyblue]

Britlover, The 155's don't look bad at all. In fact I think they may be a better choice anyways seeing as yours is a BN1 and your front wheel opening is smaller, it should ensure you not rub while turning like a taller tire could. Car looks great too! Always looking for a good 100 project too, as I just love the looks of the car with the windshield folded.
Jim

 

[steveg]

Steve - Tires look great, what do you think of the ride?

Jeff

It's definitely better than my 185/70s.

 

[steveg]

Mine were just under $1200 plus $80 for mounting and balancing. That should be about $10000 in 10 years.

 

[HEALEYJAG]

Brit it looks good......165 on my 100...