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dancrim

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I know this subject has been beat to death, BUT, I am ready to buy new tires for my 65 BJ8. The old ones are "OLD" and I used them durring my restoration. Need input as to recommended size and brand. Don't want to spend a fortune.
Thanks guys.....
 
If you're price sensitive, make sure you check eBay! That's where I got mine... a set of five Federal SS657, size 165/80R15. I read somewhere that this was the closest modern size to the original size. Many put wider tires on, but I was specifically looking for narrow, like the originals, as I really like the look on these cars. But anyway... I got the Federals just a few months ago for $50 a piece! They are really nice tires, and I picked them specifically because 1) Federal is a good name and doesn't sound like I'm putting Japanese tires on my classic British car (even though they are in fact Taiwanese), and 2) I liked the way the sidewalls look.

If you're thinking the same size, you'll find a few choices still around on eBay, from reputable sellers, for around the $50-$60 range.

I had the tires shipped straight from the seller to Hendrix Wire Wheel, while simultaneously shipping my four original wheels. The guys at Hendrix trued my wheels, installed new tubes, mounted, balanced and shaved the tires... plus I bought a fifth brand new wire wheel through them from Dayton. For all the service they did, plus the new wheel, plus the tires... I was extremely happy with the money I spent. Excellent value per dollar!

Hendrix did a really fantastic job as well. I can't believe how smooth the car drives, even at high freeway speeds.

~Robert
 

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Bob, actually, Allen did at Hendrix Wire Wheel. He checked it immediately upon receipt to let me know. They were just shy of 2 years old. His opinion was that they still had a good 8 years of life in them, and told me I did good with the deal I got. Even if I get 5 years out of them... at $50 a piece I'm very happy. Plus, Federal apparently quit making this tire size, so this was the only way I could get them (I really like their overall appearance and tread... too bad the stopped making them!). I would recommend though that anyone buying tires from eBay, or from any wholesaler, should ask for date codes prior to purchase!

~Robert
 
Thanks. There's always the chance a 'good deal' on eBay is someone offloading crap. Sounds like you did good.

The usable 'age' of a tire is arguable, IMO. Some people say throw them away after 5 years, but I think it depends on how they were stored before being installed and how they're preserved afterward. I don't think 8-10 years is pushing it (if you don't park your car outside in Death Valley). Also, quality varies; I've had 'name' brand tires delaminate after only a few years, and 'off' brands give many years of service. Like everything else, 'it depends.' I usually wear my tires out on the outside of the tread before they get too old.

BTW, I think 165/80 is a slightly lower profile than the original tires. Your speedometer might be off a bit.
 
Bob_Spidell said:
Thanks. There's always the chance a 'good deal' on eBay is someone offloading crap. Sounds like you did good.

The usable 'age' of a tire is arguable, IMO. Some people say throw them away after 5 years, but I think it depends on how they were stored before being installed and how they're preserved afterward. I don't think 8-10 years is pushing it (if you don't park your car outside in Death Valley). Also, quality varies; I've had 'name' brand tires delaminate after only a few years, and 'off' brands give many years of service. Like everything else, 'it depends.' I usually wear my tires out on the outside of the tread before they get too old.

BTW, I think 165/80 is a slightly lower profile than the original tires. Your speedometer might be off a bit.
Click to expand...

Bob, I agree with the usable age debate. My British mechanic said basically the same thing. Out of the sun, correct tire pressure and how hard or not you drive them. (Not racing or doing donuts in the parking lot.)

I use Aerospace 303 on my tires. Manufacturer says it's like SPF for your tires. It does seem to penetrate into the rubber.

Not trying to start a debate on this topic. Not on this post anyway.
Cheers,
r
 
Robert560 said:
If you're price sensitive, make sure you check eBay! That's where I got mine... a set of five Federal SS657, size 165/80R15. I read somewhere that this was the closest modern size to the original size. Many put wider tires on, but I was specifically looking for narrow, like the originals, as I really like the look on these cars. But anyway... I got the Federals just a few months ago for $50 a piece! They are really nice tires, and I picked them specifically because 1) Federal is a good name and doesn't sound like I'm putting Japanese tires on my classic British car (even though they are in fact Taiwanese), and 2) I liked the way the sidewalls look.

If you're thinking the same size, you'll find a few choices still around on eBay, from reputable sellers, for around the $50-$60 range.

I had the tires shipped straight from the seller to Hendrix Wire Wheel, while simultaneously shipping my four original wheels. The guys at Hendrix trued my wheels, installed new tubes, mounted, balanced and shaved the tires... plus I bought a fifth brand new wire wheel through them from Dayton. For all the service they did, plus the new wheel, plus the tires... I was extremely happy with the money I spent. Excellent value per dollar!

Hendrix did a really fantastic job as well. I can't believe how smooth the car drives, even at high freeway speeds.

~Robert
Click to expand...

Robert,
Congrats!
Those look great. I agree. I like the thinner tire look, like original.
My set up was also from Hendrix. I hear he's the best in the business.
You did good Robert. Great price, good looking period tire, mounted by the best and a beautiful Healey.
Cheers,
r
 
The closest to original size are supposed to be the Michelins XAS 180hr15 but these are very expensive.
The 175's seemed to of been discontinued by most manufacturers, so the usual option for the original sized wheels is the 165hr or sr15's.
I have decided to get rid of my chromes and old tyres and replace with original spec MWS painted 60 spoke wheels (4.5j 60 spoke on a bj8) and the best tyre option (i'm in the uk) seems to be the Vredstein sprint classic 165hr15's for the money.
A good tyre check for sizing is Longstone tyres:

https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/Austin-Healey.php

heres my new ones: (spare seems to fit fine in boot - may have problems with 175's?)
 

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The literal translation of the original 5.90-15 tire size to modern tires would be something like 163/78R15 (figuring section width is larger than the 5.90" tread width). So for ratio, either 75 or 80 are the closest numbers, and for width, 165 would be the closest choice.

Coker Tire says that the 5.90-15 overall diameter is 25.38". I've also seen some say up to 25.86" in overall diameter. In either case...

For modern tires then:

165/85R15 is 26.04" overall diameter.

165/80R15 is 25.39" overall diameter.

165/75R15 is 24.74" overall diameter.

So what I've got would seem to be the closest thing possible to original, unless you wanted to actually go taller than original with an 85 ratio... unless I've messed up some calculations somewhere (I've been known to make bigger mistakes).

At any rate, they seem to look "correct" on the car, and the speedo is very accurate. There has conveniently been one of those "YOUR SPEED" cameras that the Police put out right up the street from me, so I've been able to check my speed at numerous readings. And with the amount of driving I plan on doing, I'll be lucky if they even make 4 years or so before they simply need replaced from wear).

If you want to go wider, some good sizes around the same height would be:

175/75R15 (calculates to 25.33" diameter)

185/70R15 (calculates to 25.20" diameter)

205/65R15 (calculates to 25.49" diameter)

Hope that helps. Anyone please correct me if I've made an errors here.

~Robert Boyer
 
polished them twice after they came out of the wrappers!

most uk vendors dont recommend or guarantee after 6 years, how would your insurance hold up with 8 year old tyres, and a blow out writes your car off?
 

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It is not the sun that causes the problem (although it does shorten the life)but that they start to harden form the date of manufacturing. As the tread gets harder there is less traction and ability to flex on turns. There is an issue with tread sepuration. I argued with Coker over my Michs cause they were two years old when they sent them. Their attitude was "send them back cause they have a waiting list for them". That was six years ago and they look like new but...not safe after 8 years. I'll change them this summer.
 
When I bought the '68 Camaro I had before the Healey, the BFGs it had on it were I'm guessing maybe 15 years old. They were as hard as a rock! It was fun when you wanted to break them loose and make some noise (I could squeal tire in every gear), but yeah, not very safe, and like ice skates in the rain. I got them off as quickly as I could.

As a general rule, the softer the compound, the quicker they "dry out", so standard passenger tires often last a lot longer than performance tires (even taking treadwear out of the equation). I personally would start getting nervous with any tires I had on a car for more than 5 years or so... but I do a lot of freeway driving, so I might be a bit more cautious than really necessary.

~Robert
 
Great info on tires! I am thinking to go wider and possibly taller for that powerful look. Any advice out there? I have a stock 65 BJ8 and I want to keep the stock wheels.
 
The stock wheels will be the biggest limiting factor... that, and potential tire rub. I'm not sure what all can or can't work, but I can tell you... my 5" width wire wheels had 205/65R15 on them when I bought the car, and to me it looked really silly. The tires were bulging so far beyond the rim that it didn't even look safe to me. I'll bet you can do 175 or 185 easily on a 5" wheel, less if your wheel is narrower. Watch going taller though. You'll introduce speedometer error, and the potential for tire rub will increase even more.

~Robert
 
Counterpoint: I have 20 year old Michelin X 175 R 15 tires on my car with about 5,000 miles on them. I keep the car in the garage and drive it gently around the neighborhood. They look and perform like new. I'll let you know when they disintegrate, which many of you have said the would have happened long ago. I like the way they fill the wheel wells and they are no longer available. You're probably tired of my posting this picture, but here it is again.
IMG_1505-1.jpg
 
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