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New tires for the midget

Westemp

Freshman Member
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I purchased a set of minator wheels for my '80 Midget. The original tires are 145 sr/13s ,but I want wider tires to fit the 5.5 in. minator wheels. Can anyone help me....someone must have tried this? I'm thinking 165's...anything wider will probadly rub on the wheel wells or the springs in the rear.
 
The 165-70's will fit without any problem. You may be able to use 175's, but it will be close. I run 175's on my '65, but the rear fender lip has been rolled for clearance. My '72 & '74 both use 175's, but are RWA cars, so they're a whole differrent beast.
I see from your profile that you like vintage racing.
Are you doing anything with VARAC?
Jeff
 
Lemme move this over to the Spridget Forum so more guys into the "little cars" will see it.
 
""""""I purchased a set of minator wheels """""""

"""""""tires to fit the 5.5 in. minator wheels."""""

You might remeasure ..their 5" wide.

You might screw on the wheels with the suspension at ride height and do some tape measure work. The rear spacing on those wheels is 3.750" and a 165-60 or so tire ...even a 175 should clear everything.
 
Jeff.....
My concern is with the rear leaf springs are only 1 in. from the stock 145 tires at prsent. The minator wheels seem to measure the same offset as the stock wheels. To try a 175 tire, I will have to purchase the tire then if it isn't right I will be stuck with the tire. Are the leaf springs on a '65 as close as they are on my '80?
I have followed vintage racing for a number of years, but no I don't race. I have been attending the SVRA Vintage races at Watkins Glen in September for 15 yrs. Thanks for your help.
Tom
 
JerryB...
Thank you...yes they are 5 in. You seem to know the minator wheels. The issue is as I just replied to Jeff's post those leaf springs seem close to the tire sidewall.
Any help that you guys can give me would be great..thanks.
 
Tom, my '72 has the Minators' and 175's on it. I don't think there is any difference between the inner wheel housings or spring clearances on the two different models. I'll go out in the morning and take some measurements.
Jeff
 
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