Tires

[why]

Time for new tires on '65 3000, saw post recommending Nexen SB802, 165 80 15 about $60. Use is very light duty puttering around 500-750 mi/year. Any other choices, how about profiles and rubbing etc. thanks

 

[Keoke]

Nexen IMOP is too small causes about a 1% lower reading in your speedo.

 

[RAC68]

If your use is light and are not into aggressive driving, as was my profile, the primary characteristic I looked for in a tire was longevity and diameter (for clearing my Phase 1 resonators). Since it has often been stated that the rule of thumb for a tire's safety-longevity (before dry rot takes over) is 10 years, I decided to get the tire with the most recent manufacturing date, even if it costs a little more.

When I was looking for new tires, Kumho 165s were highly recommended and very reasonably priced at around $55 plus shipping, mounting, and balancing. However, the only available Kumho tires, in the size I wanted, were manufactured between 3 and 4 years prior. I opted for Vredesteins at a price of $112 (everything included) that just entered the country and were manufactured at around a month prior.

Although I like the look and performance of the Vredestein Classics, I still believe the Kumho's would have performed just as well for me.

Good luck,
Ray (64BJ8P1)

 

[Keoke]

Kumho is a very good tire. However, the 165 will lower your ground clearance.
Additionally, RAC68, the aftermarket exhaust mufflers are usually round which further reduces the ground clearance.

 

[RAC68]

Hi Keoke,

Although I do agree that the Kumho's do have a smaller diameter, my calculation indicates we are talking no more than 1/2". As it turns out the Phase I BJ8 is the only Healey where a 1/2" is that important since it has the earlier Healey rear frame configuration and suspension but includes the transverse resonator. The BJ8 P2 should have no difficulty with resonator clearance and Healey models from BJ7 and earlier have pipes out the left side with no transverse resonator.

IMO the Kumhos should be good for all but BJ8P1s like mine.

Ray (64BJ8P1)

 

[British_Recovery]

Kumhos in 165/15 are no longer available, but Nexens are. $60. at Walmart. Also with good reviews are the Firestone at Coker for about $80. I think. See article in Classic Motorsports.

 

[bighealeysource]

I've got the Nexen SB802's in 165/80 x 15 and very happy with them. Obviously price is great and if you read comments online about them most agree. I do not drive my Healey hard and rarely over 70 mph so can't address high speed performance but for this slow poke just fine ! Think I paid less than $45/tire from Walmart but had them mounted elsewhere.

 

[why]

thanks for all the help. The current tires are Michelin XZX 165 15. Car has Stebro side exhaust that fits in where the std. mufflers would be but the twin chrome pipes exit under front door so ground clearance is some concern. If I swap 165s for 165s is ground clearance lost because of a different aspect ratio? the old tires "90" and the new ones "80"? Again,really appreciate help, sort of hated to have bought and mounted to find that they scrape fender, tie rod etc. depending on answers will probably accept loss of 1/2 inch and go with Nexen, glovebox book says 20front and 25 rear, so can get a little back by upping pressures closer to 30 as described in recent post, by the way Haynes matches glovebox book.

 

[Jeffsbj8]

I use Nexen SB802, 165 80 15 on my BJ8 and they are amazing for the money. I would recommend them!!

 

[John Turney]

... to find that they scrape fender, tie rod etc. ....

I have 195/65 x 15s and the front end lowered slightly and have no problems with scraping. You'll be fine.