TR2/3/3A Question for TR3 owners

[fad64b]

What size is your spare tire. I am a new TR3 owner and just had a new set of tires installed when I found out that it is hard to get a spare tire that fits in the spare compartment..

Thanks
Frank

 

[angelfj1]

Many of us run with a different spare because of this problem. You might consider doing this. I'm running Coker Michelins , 165R15

 

[DougF]

I am also running Michelin 165SR15's. They fight a little in and out.

 

[White79MGB]

If you want to use the tire you already have, you can deflate it enough to fit and carry an air pump in your trunk. This is what I did because I'm too cheap to buy a new tire for a spare! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazyeyes.gif

 

[PeterK]

5.60x15 from a VW Beetle will fit if you can find one.

 

[Don Elliott]

The earlier TR sidescreen cars had smaller openings and nesting places for the spare. As I understand it, the TR3As after TS 60000 had higher spaces to accept a wider tire. I have a Michelin 165SR15 as my spare in my early TR3A. I can get it in by rotating it a bit once it starts to bind. Getting it out is the same. If you have wire wheels, forget it.

 

[Geo Hahn]

I too keep the spare underinflated and carry a 12VDC pump (pre 60xxx TR3A).

Another trick is to run a length of nylon webbing thru the center of the wheel and around the tire. Tie it or buckle it into a loop and you will have something to pull on (on your back, feet against the bumperettes in my case -- that sucker is tight).

I also sprinkle some baby powder on both sides of the tire to make it slide better... no more problem with TR diaper rash either.

 

[JFS]

I carry a 155 R15 Michelin mounted on a 48 spoke wheel in my 58 TR3A. The other four tires a 165 R15 mounated on knock off alloys.

 

[MGTF1250Dave]

I have 165R15 tires mounted on 60 spoke wire wheels on the car. I use a 48 spoke wheel for the spare with a 125R15 tire mounted on it. I have an early TR3A (comm # 28418)and it slides in easily to the compartment. I could probably use a wider tire 145 or perhaps 155. I have only used the spare once so far and I treat it as "emergency use only".

 

[martx-5]

I don't have too much of a problem stuffing in a 165-15 on a 60-spoke wire into the compartment. Getting it out, is another story. It's takes a lot of wiggling and cajoling to remove it. Maybe the talcum powder or corn starch is the answer. I used to us that to get into my wet suit before the days when they were lined. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

 

[habaneronut]

I'm a new owner, also, and my spare is in there to stay, baby (wire wheels). How do I get it out so I can underinflate or get a different one. I've considered putting the jack in there and gently trying to raise the top enough to muscle it out, or baring that, just puncturing the tire with an ice pick. I've tried everything to get a rope or something around behind it to pull it out with no success, tried griping it with a crow bar on the side, pounding it with a mallett to move it from side to side - it's stuck tight.

Fred

 

[Deleted member 451]

An ice pick will let the air out. It's far cheaper to fix the tire afterwards than to fix the bodywork when you take that extra turn on the jack.

 

[prb51]

5.60x15 Michelin. The 165/80x15s I run won't fir in the well so I have a dedicated spare.

 

[YankeeTR]

Here's a "3" with TR250 wheels and 195/70's...and no, they don't rub!

 

[Guest]

Looking at that pic I wondered - did anyone ever turn it into a roadster. I think it would look pretty neat without all the roof stuff.