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Tires Choices for Big Healeys

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Patrick67BJ8

Patrick67BJ8

Obi Wan
Gold
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What are the choices today for tires for a BJ8?
I currently have Vredestine Sprint Classic 185 HR 15 91H
They are like new but I purchased them in 2014.
The tires are a little taller than the 165, but I like the clearance and my speedo is calibrated for them.
 
I have 185/70 15 Pirellis, but my BN4 is lowered a bit. They have a wear rating of 180 (IIRC) so I plan to wear them out instead of having them time out.
 
I agree with Michael. I am on my second set of Michelin XAS 180R-15 tires and love them. The asymmetric tread pattern really smooths out the ride.
 
I agree with Michael and Lin, I have about 15k miles on mine and they are the nicest, smoothest riding tires I've had on my Healey. The large diameter really helps with ground clearance as well as filling the wheel openings nicely. My only nit is that there is a very slight whine/hum from the treads on some smooth surfaces (however, it's not enough to discourage me from buying another set when the time comes).
 
Thanks for the inputs. It looks like the XAS is a favorite. If I buy them, I’m going to drive the heck out of my car! Best place recommendations to get them?
 
I bought my present set about a year ago from Longstone in the UK when they were not available domestically. They arrived within a week and cost a bit less than the US suppliers normally charged.

Don't forget the tubes.
 
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Michael Oritt said:
I bought my present set about a year ago from Longstone in the UK when they were not available domestically. They arrived within a week and cost a bit less than the US suppliers normally charged.

Don't forget the tubes.
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Thanks for the info. The tubes that are currently installed are racing tubes.
 
This is the price off of their website. I asked them if any tafiffs. Were included.
 

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Good and helpful information. Are there any rim width requirements for fitting the Michelin XAS 180R-15. For example, I have 4 1/2 inch width rims and would really like to fit the bigger tire.
 
Gonzo--

I have 60 spoke 15" x 4.5" wires on my car and the 180 XAS Michelins mount up fine.

What is your plan for having the tires mounted up and balanced, etc? Now is a good time to have your wheels inspected and trued if need be.
 
Thank you, Micheal. Currently I have Vredestine Sprint Classic 165 80 15s installed and they have excellent tread but a 2016 date code. Tires and tubes were mounted and balanced locally by Grand Prix Tires, Costa Mesa. They did a great job - no leaky pinched tubes and they offered to apply all weights on inside rim. I now have the 42mm balancing cones to expand local installation options. And then there's Dayton Wire Wheel Technical Bulletin indicating that their WW may not need special cones (attached). What's this about? Hendrix is the standard for truing, shaving balancing etc. and I've used them just recently to replace broken spokes. Just may use them again, budget permitting. Gonzo
 

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gonzo said:
Thank you, Micheal. Currently I have Vredestine Sprint Classic 165 80 15s installed and they have excellent tread but a 2016 date code. Tires and tubes were mounted and balanced locally by Grand Prix Tires, Costa Mesa. They did a great job - no leaky pinched tubes and they offered to apply all weights on inside rim. I now have the 42mm balancing cones to expand local installation options. And then there's Dayton Wire Wheel Technical Bulletin indicating that their WW may not need special cones (attached). What's this about? Hendrix is the standard for truing, shaving balancing etc. and I've used them just recently to replace broken spokes. Just may use them again, budget permitting. Gonzo
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If you use Hendrix you will be in good hands. I have shipped him wheels for "re-tiring" on several occasions.
 
Here is what I found out about the tariffs we can expect it not expect right now.
 

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Lin said:
I also purchased mine from Longstone and had Alan Hendrix of Hendrix Wire Wheel install them. He is the best.
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Alan Hendrix gets my vote. I bought wheels and tires from him, and they arrived promptly, shaved and balanced.
 
I recently, as in last month, purchased parts from a supplier in England. The import duties/tariffs were ~30% (ouch). I double checked and this is the correct amount based on current policies. They didn't make me aware of this before or when I ordered. The parts were here in the US setting in customs when I got a whopper of a bill from UPS. Beware...
 
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