Anyone know anything about wheels/tires?

[pinkbeachbomb]

My 75 Mustang had a flat tire Friday night. Took it to the shop to get fixed and they said it was so old it was not fixable. They were all older 13 inchFirestone wheels not only discontinued, but Recalled!
The original specs were 195 70 13.
That size is impossible to find. Can I substitute 205 70 13? What damage will that do? Can I do 205 60 13?
What do all those numbers mean!
Bruce

[99octane]

Bruce, yes you should be able to substitue those P 205/70/13's just fine.
The only difference is the first number, your old ones were 195's, the new ones will be 205's.
That ten point difference refers to the width, in millimeters, of the tire from side to side when inflated.
P205/70/13
The 205 is the width in millimeters,
The 70 is the height ("Tallness") of the tire or how much tire sidewall you see from the rim's edge to the tread,
the 13 is the rim diameter in inches.

You could put wider 60 series tires on the car if they fit,
but it might sit a little low unless you compensate with larger tire.
The risk is rubbing against the frame, fender / wheel lip opening and especially the front
wheels rubbing when the steering wheel is turned left or right all the way.

I'm not explaining this well... try here:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=46

Also, if you take that car or it's specs at least to a local speed shop,
or anyplace that does high performance tires / wheels,
they will be able to tell you what that car can and can not take when stock.
Backspacing is important on where the part of the rim that bolts to the car is compared to
the part of the rim where the edge of the rim is in relationship to the car.
You can put a pretty fat rim and tire combon on most cars if you get the backspacing just right.

All that is overly complicated as an answer here,
but I all but guarantee that P205/70/13's will fit with NO problem on that car and cause no ill effects.

Greg

[pinkbeachbomb]

You know your stuff....
Thanks,
Bruce

[1Perry]

Sounds like you actually got lucky. The tires were certainly not roadworthy.

Greg did a fine job of answering your question. That car is so stock that I'd stay with the 70's.

[CUSHE63]

You could try Coker tires also for similar tires only better quality. And Greg did a great job with his explanation !!


Steve

[Beach bomb]

I was going to say the same thing Greg said.
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"try here: "
http://www.tirerack.com/t...h/techpage.jsp?techid=46



Tim

[Iamredliner]

Bruce.....
I have P215/60R13's on Front of my 75 Stang and P245/50R14's on the rear. You will find that the different heights work out well. First number..treadwidth, second number ratio of height to width. I used to have the 215's on the 13" wheels all the way around until I got the aftermarket wheels.

Remember Bruce.........when it comes to this car.......I've been there, done that. Don't hesitate to call me.

[CHEVY57]

Bruce don't forget to get a new spare as it is dry rotted too...............

[Iamredliner]

I learned this lesson the hard way. My daughter and I were driving my pickup down to Austin for her to play in a golf tournament last summer. I had the trucklooking nice. All polished up and such. Wet-Black on the tires even! I failed to realize those tires were 8 years old! I got to South Fort Worth and POW~!Right rear lost its' tread and slapped the $h@t out of my right rear quarter panel. Bent the ever-living he!! out of the fender! Lot's of force there!Still held air. I put the spare on and drove to Austin. Next day, went to get a tire and found out how old they were. The Tire place (same one where the oldlady throws the tire through the window) would not sell me "one" tire. In fact, if I drove off on those tires, they were going to make me sign awaiver. I replaced them all. the rubber gets old and hard. then it just breaks off. No fun at all at 65mph! Don't ever run tires older than 6 years. Tireplace says 4 to 6 is maximum age they will do a repair.

[sunburninaz]

Bruce,

Another thing to keep in mind is that, as you change the size of your tires, your speedometer reading will be off slightly. There are any numbers of sitesthat will help you determine just how much it will vary. Here's one:

Performance Probe

I also used this one to get a visual idea of the difference in tire size when I put the new tires on my Expedition:

Tire Size Calculator

Doug