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Tips
Tips

New Tires for a BJ8

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pkmh

pkmh

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I notice how my tires have developed dry rot so now is the time to purchase new tires.

The current type and size I have, ver batim, is: 165 SR15 86S (Firestone) and one odd ball JTL noted as, M+S 165 R15 86S.

I would very much like to keep the 165 size or close to it as possible. Universal Tire on the internet does indicate a Vredestein and in the size of 165HR15.

I have tried using the site, Tire Rack, but so far, they indicate to me no tires are available for my car.

Am I incorrectly indicating the tire size spec's? I have searched the history here on the forum site as well about sizes in question and would like to know if the above spec's are good enough for ordering new. I also need to purchase new tubes and flaps which I hope these tire companies provide.

Any opinions or direction??

Thanks as always.

Paul
 
:iagree: You're probably going to do a lot more running around with mixed results and in the long run wished you went to Hendrix in the first place. Here's the website: https://www.hendrixwirewheel.com/ Ship your wheels to Alan and he'll be able to tell you if they're still good, need replacing or truing and do that for you. He can sell you the tires, rim liner and tubes, mount and balance and even shave them for roundness. Once your wheels get the "full-Hendrix" your Healey should go down the road like buttah. And if you have that annoying scuttle shake at 50-60 mph, might as well send your rear brake drums to him as well for balancing.
 
I purchased 165/80R15 Vredestein Sport Classics at EuroTire in NJ three months ago after researching a number of tires including 165/80, 185/70&/80, and 195/65. I chose the 165/80s because the size was consistent with past fitments and the Vredestein Sport Classic because it was the tire available locally that met my requirements. I looked for recently manufactured Nexens, Kumhos, and Nankangs and found that only Nankang tires were available with a reasonably recent manufacture (at the time, the last shippment of Kumhos were manufactured 4 years ago and a representative from Nexen indicated that the last shipment of Nexens came to the US almost 2 years prior).

As far as the few on-line suppliers who had tires in stock, the prices were good but shipping charges to NJ, for a set of 4, ranged from as low as $60 to as high as $119. Additionally, mounting and balancing would be an added cost and an activity I would have to deal with. My last concern with an on-line purcase was the possibility of the extra cost and inconvenience of deal with any issue(ie. defective tire, error shipment, etc.).

Before purchasing, I suggest you check the manufacture date of the tires and also add the cost of other components (tube/wheel band) and services (shipping, installation, balancing) before you decide. Also, if you are lucky enough to find a local wire-wheel-knowledgeable dealer, remember to include the value of having easier access to problem resolution and the cost and inconvenience of shipping a tire back.

Unless you are racing, I would expect most of the tires mentioned would be OK.

All the best,
Ray (64BJ8P1)
 
Hey all,

Thanks for the great tips. I never knew about considering manufacturing dates for tires. I naturally assumed all tires were relativily new and fresh off the shelf. Guess I'm mistaken. I have a lot more to learn about tires, obviously.

Someone local to me who also has a Healey informed me there is a place not too far that can put new tires on my existing rims. Then another place very close to me that can do the balancing. For now, and as much as I would enjoy having a place like Hendrix do it, I have to proceed with getting the car to a point I can complete, albeit on a basic level. Then go back and do it right down the road. Besides, if I go the right way, then I should consider scrapping my 48 spokes for 60's, don't you agree? I know not all will agree with me on this.

I have read up on tips about truing and balancing. As a simple test, I ran a pencil around the spokes and all sounded the same (but not flat in pitch) with the exception of one, which I am well aware of.

I also know of one way to determine if the wheels are out of true (I hope I am using the correct terminology), but I better keep this personal at the moment for I already received comments about the effectiveness of my method. Sorry, don't mean to keep that one in the dark.

I have to admit, I only drove the Healey up to a speed of about 50, but experienced no rattling so far. But she is not ready for the highway anyway and may not be for months to come (right now, the radiator is out as well as the fan blades for refurbishment, plus some parts on order).

Thanks for the leads, though, and I will consider everything.

Very much appreciated!!!!

Paul

PS. RAC68, I would be very interested in learning where the Euro Tire is in NJ, as you indicated. Would I be able to visit them in person?? Thanks!
 
Paul,

Euro-Tire can be found on the web at www.eurotire.com . They are located on the east bound side of Rt 46 in Fairfield just west of the Rt23 intersection and the Willowbrook Mall. They are very knowledgeable and have the correct equipment to mount and balance wire wheels.

By the way, the Positive Earth Drivers Club will have its annual car show at Ocean Grove on September 14th. It is a great show and a great location. You can get more information at www.pedc.org. Hope you can make it.

Good luck,
Ray (64BJ8P1)
 
The pencil will only tell you tightness or looseness of a spoke but not the roundness and side to side wobble of the wheel. The 48's take a lot of side to side stress. If you figure the life of tires to be seven years then it is something not done again for a long time and worth the cost. You might check the hub and wheel splines and decide if it is time to go to the 60 spoke wheels.
TH
 
The rear wheel splines wear. Worn hubs will have sharp points at the end of the splines. New hubs have a flat surface at the top of the splines. Always replace old rear hubs when getting new wheels or they will quickly wear the new wheel splines.
 
Thanks Tahoe and I have been told about that before. At some point, I would like to invest in new 72 spoke wheels or the very least, the 60's. Considering everything else that is needed to be done, I'd better go "slow" (no punn intended) for now.

TimK, I will check the splines although I do not recall anything feeling or looking sharp but maybe I need to understand the [literal] meaning of the word, sharp. One of the very first things I did when I acquired the car was to clean and regrease the splines (this was before I realized all of my brake and clutch hydraulics went kapoot, among other things). But she is coming along and not bad either. Making progress, slowly, but surely.

Thanks!

Paul

PS Thanks for that great info Ray (Rac68). I will definitely go there, maybe today. I feel it would be better to visually see and pick and it is nice to know they will do the balancing and mounting all in one place. Thanks so much for that lead!
 
Regarding sharp, think of the worn spline as a triangle. A new spline will have the tip of the top cut off so you have in effect a trapezoid instead of a triangle.
By the way I went with 72 spoke Dayton chrome rims with stainless spokes.
IMG_1505-1.jpg
 
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