Wheels and Tires

[WinginEngineer]

I apologize in advance for beating a dead horse further to death. Poor thing's like pudding now . I just want some straight answers

On round 3 of me thinking this will be the time I bring my 62 back to life, I find myself back in a position I was in near the end of round 2. She needs tires. Discount, Big-O, and Tire Rack all only carry the 185/80r13's in trailer tires. Now obviously that's a bad idea, and I think we've even had that conversation. But where the conversation "ended" was the suggestion I move to 14" wheels and tires. That's a chunk of change, but I'll do what I have to.

The problem? I can't find any! The best resource I found came from this forum in the form of this link (I think Brad provided it in a very old post): http://autoxer.skiblack.com/tires.html

Here's the problem, when I go to tire rack for instance, all of the vehicles that article lists with the "same" lug pattern come back as nothing available or 4x100 instead of 4x114.3

So I actually emailed Tire Rack and they said they don't have wheels that will fit this car . They're full of crap, they just don't want the liability of a non-standard fitment. Shmucks. I can't find any sites that you can shop wheels by spec, only by vehicle and ours ain't there.

So help me out folks. Give me something I can work with here. A vehicle I can look it up under, a site I can go to to shop by spec, hell I'd even take a set of used wheels if ya got 'em . Help!

[azdave]

Why wouldn't you consider the Milestar P175/80R13 like many of us use with our stock rims. Not perfect but I use them and the price is right.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R ... 0&_sacat=0

How about Maxxis P185/80R13?
https://shop.maxxis.com/c/ma-1-grand-touring-tire

https://www.ebay.com/itm/4-New-Maxxis-M ... Swlq9d6atP

Unless you really want custom rims, I would choose these 13' tires over a new, larger rim choice.

[WinginEngineer]

I WANT to keep the 13" rims. I love my hub caps and I don't particularly like the look of custom rims on the early models.

In answer to why? Because I couldn't find those

Only Maxxis I could find were trailer tires.

So I have NO objections to the Milestar whatsoever. 175 vs 185 does not concern me. BUT, where do I get them installed if I order those on ebay?

[azdave]

Call around. Many tire places aren't bothered if you bring in your own tires and rims for mounting and balancing.

I use Bob's Tire Corral in Tempe. It's a little hole-in-the-wall place near the 101 and Apache Blvd but I've never had issues with their work.

[64powerglide]

https://simpletire.com/maxxis-p185-80r1 ... 0000-tires Free shipping here.

[WinginEngineer]

Who knew that places that ONLY specialize in tires (Discount, Tire Rack, and Big O) wouldn't carry ANY tires that fit the Corvair, but that WALMART would be the go-to. They carry the Maxxis, the Milestar, and another couple from Kendal and Atturo. Never heard of Atturo, but until today I've never heard of Milestar either. At roughly the same price as the Milestar but in 185/80r13, I'm thinking about it.

Regardless, I now have found a source for both ordering and installing. And almost completely by accident with a little guidance from ya'll.

Thank you!

[bbodie52]

P185/80R13 Maxxis MA-1 90S WW White Wall Tire
by Maxxis

https://www.amazon.com/P185-80R13-Maxxi ... 082&sr=8-1

P175/80R13 and 185/70R13 automobile tires are also listed on Amazon.com, but P185/80R13 (as sold by Maxxis) are the recommended size for the Corvair, to match the tire dimensions of the original Corvair factory tires. The size radial closest to a stock 6.50-13 bias ply is 185/80R13.

There are a number of 14" and 15" street tires that will fit Early Model Corvairs on custom 14 " or 15" rims, but those custom or used factory wheels must fit a 4-lug wheel hub. There are a number of 4-lug 14" or 15" used wheels that were originally on other brands...

Earlies have 4 lugs on a 4 1/2" (114.3mm) bolt circle. Other cars with that 4 on 4 1/2 pattern are:

Acura Legend '86 to '90
Chevy Nova, Chevy II '60 to '64
Chevy Sprint '85 to '87
Buick Special, Olds F-85 '61 to '63
Datsun/Nissan, most RWD models to '89
Dodge Colt '79 to '92
Ford Falcon, Mustang (6 cyl) '60 to '73
Ford Granada, Maverick '81 to '83
Hyundai all years
Infiniti G20 '91 - '96
Infiniti M30 '90 - '92
Mazda 323 '86 to '89
Mazda 626, RX7 '83 to '87
Mazda GLC '81 to '85
Mazda RX-7 GSL/SE '84 to '88
MGA, MGB, MGC all
Mitsubishi, most 4 lug all years
Nissan 240SX all 4 cyl
Nissan Altima '93 to '01
Olds - F-85 '61 to '63
Plymouth Arrow, Sapporo '79 to '88
Saab, all to '87
Toyota, most RWD except PU and MR2 up to '85
Triumph TR3 through TR6 all

http://autoxer.skiblack.com/tires.html

Some custom aftermarket wheels are also available, but at greater cost. Switching to 14" or 15" rims will make it possible to choose from a broad range of street tire offerings that incorporate more-modern tire technologies and design advances. The cost per 14" or 15" tire may also be somewhat cheaper than the limited production 13" Maxxis tires, which have become obsolete.

Maxxis P185/80R13: $106.97 - $118.26 per tire ($92.88 from WalMart) [OVERALL DIAM: 24.7"]



P205/60R13 $124.40 (SURPRISE! A 13" B.F. Goodrich Radial T/A RWL)

185/70R14 $61.91 - $178.02 (14 Tire Choices) [AVERAGE 24.3" Overall Diameter]

195/70R14 $60.99 - $196.38 (12 Tire Choices) [AVERAGE 24.8" Overall Diameter]

205/70R14 $76.98 - $257.50 (5 Tire Choices) (Includes B.F. Goodrich Radial T/A RWL) [AVERAGE 25.4" Overall Diameter]

205/55R15 $107.19 - $115.70 (2 Tire Choices) [AVERAGE 25.4" [AVERAGE 23.8" Overall Diameter]

195/60R15 $57.08 - $135.63 (58 Tire Choices) (Includes B.F. Goodrich Radial T/A RWL) [AVERAGE 24.3" Overall Diameter]

195/65R15 $60.17 - $309.29 (100 Tire Choices) [AVERAGE 25" Overall Diameter]

205/60R15 $63.27 - $143.21 (27 Tire Choices) (Includes B.F. Goodrich Radial T/A RWL) [AVERAGE 24.7" Overall Diameter]


RADIAL T/A - SIZE: P205/60R13
Style: Raised White Letters


BFG RADIAL T/A 13: RIM WIDTH RANGE: 5.5"-7.5" SECT. WIDTH: 8.2" TREAD WIDTH: 6.8" OVERALL DIAM: 22.7" REVS. PER MILE: 916
MAXXIS 185/80R13: RIM WIDTH RANGE: 5.0"-6.5" SECT. WIDTH: 7.4" TREAD WIDTH: 5.4" OVERALL DIAM: 24.7" REVS. PER MILE: N/A

[joelsplace]

Go with the Maxxis tires for sure. The height difference is significant and really throws the speedometer off as well as turning more RPM on the highway.

[bbodie52]

Many of the 14" and 15" alternate tires listed in my last post have an overall diameter that is very close or equal to the Maxxis 13" tire for the Corvair. Only the 13" BF Goodrich Radial T/A is significantly smaller in diameter at 22.7", as opposed to the Maxis 13" tire at 24.7".

The Maxxis 13" tire is a tall tire with an aspect ratio of 80. The other tires have a lower aspect ratio of 55, 60, 65, or 70, which gives them a lower profile (smaller sidewall height) which reduces the overall diameter in spite of the larger 14" or 15" wheels.

The overall diameter match establishes the Revs per Mile of each tire, which maintains speedometer accuracy. If you stay with a standard 13" wheel diameter for the Corvair, you have a choice of one tire — The Maxxis. Based on the listings on the Tire Rack website, moving to a 14" or 15" wheel gives you a choice of over 200 tire designs and features, with numerous brands, prices, performance specifications, wear characteristics, tread designs and safety features — often at a lower price per tire.

[joelsplace]

The Radial T/A in 205/60R13 has been around for a long time but they haven't imported them to the US until now. I was considering getting someone to bring me a set from Mexico since they were available there last time I checked.
I put a set of 205/60R13s on my Spyder last year and it changed from 3500RPM at 70mph to 4000RPM at 70.
I switched to 225/45R17s which are very close to the stock diameter.
The 205/60R13s do lower the car an inch and improve the handling significantly.

[64powerglide]

New price on Maxxis. Better get them now. https://simpletire.com/catalog/paid?wid ... gJcKvD_BwE

[bbodie52]

$97.96 each from Simple Tire w/free shipping. $92.88 each from Walmart w/ Free shipping.

https://simpletire.com/catalog/paid?wid ... gJcKvD_BwE

Maxxis MA-1, 185/80R-13, $391.84 ($97.96 per tire)
OVERALL DIAMETER: 24.7"
Free 2 day delivery is typical to your neighborhood
Items (4) $391.84
Shipping FREE!
Total $391.84


https://www.walmart.com/ip/Maxxis-MA-1- ... gL8mfD_BwE

Maxxis MA-1 185/80R13 89 S Tire
OVERALL DIAMETER: 24.7"
$92.88 each 4 for $371.52
current price $371.52 Congrats — you get free delivery!
Qty: 4




https://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSear ... iameter=17

YOKOHAMA
AVID TOURING-S
Standard Touring All-Season
Size: P195/70R14 90S
OVERALL DIAMETER: 24.8"
$87.93 Set of 4: $351.72

Free Road Hazard Protection
($34.08 value. Two-year coverage.)

GOODYEAR
ASSURANCE ALL-SEASON
Passenger All-Season
Size: 195/70R14 91T
OVERALL DIAMETER: 24.8"
$79.99
Set of 4: $319.96
Price After Mail-In Rebate: $294.96
Free Road Hazard Protection
($31.00 value. Two-year coverage.)


Ten additional brand choices and prices in this size.

[ricochavi@gmail.com]

hi,
has anyone had success in having steel stock rims on a 1964 widen so as to have a wider tire mounted?

Thanks
Richard from Manhattan Beach

[terribleted]

I have seen a few instances of widened wheels over the years on Corvairs. Old school auto crossers and racers mostly.

[joelsplace]

What tires would you put on wider wheels? Very little choice in 13" tire sizes. I looked at a 64 Spyder that was for sale in OK a few years ago that had widened stock wheels with 225/50R13s. Those tires haven't been available for many years. The transverse leaf had been removed from that car. I'm not sure if that was for wheel clearance.

[bbodie52]

P205/60R13 $124.40 (SURPRISE! A 13" B.F. Goodrich Radial T/A RWL)

185/70R14 $61.91 - $178.02 (14 Tire Choices) [AVERAGE 24.3" Overall Diameter]

195/70R14 $60.99 - $196.38 (12 Tire Choices) [AVERAGE 24.8" Overall Diameter]

205/70R14 $76.98 - $257.50 (5 Tire Choices) (Includes B.F. Goodrich Radial T/A RWL) [AVERAGE 25.4" Overall Diameter]

205/55R15 $107.19 - $115.70 (2 Tire Choices) [AVERAGE 25.4" [AVERAGE 23.8" Overall Diameter]

195/60R15 $57.08 - $135.63 (58 Tire Choices) (Includes B.F. Goodrich Radial T/A RWL) [AVERAGE 24.3" Overall Diameter]

195/65R15 $60.17 - $309.29 (100 Tire Choices) [AVERAGE 25" Overall Diameter]

205/60R15 $63.27 - $143.21 (27 Tire Choices) (Includes B.F. Goodrich Radial T/A RWL) [AVERAGE 24.7" Overall Diameter]


RADIAL T/A - SIZE: P205/60R13
Style: Raised White Letters
5.5-7.5" Rim Width
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.js ... mpare1=yes

BFG RADIAL T/A 13: RIM WIDTH RANGE: 5.5"-7.5" SECT. WIDTH: 8.2" TREAD WIDTH: 6.8" OVERALL DIAM: 22.7" REVS. PER MILE: 916
MAXXIS 185/80R13: RIM WIDTH RANGE: 5.0"-6.5" SECT. WIDTH: 7.4" TREAD WIDTH: 5.4" OVERALL DIAM: 24.7" REVS. PER MILE: N/A



SPRINT CLASSIC - SIZE: 205/60VR13

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.js ... mpare1=yes

Size: 205/60VR13
Style: Blackwall Alternate Design
Rim Width Range: 5.5-7.5"
OVERALL DIAM: 22.7" REVS. PER MILE: 919

Rim Width Range
Because tires have flexible sidewalls, a single tire size will fit on a variety of rim widths. A tire's rim width range identifies the narrowest to the widest rim widths upon which the tire is designed to be mounted during its tens-of-thousands of miles and years of service.

The width of the rim will influence the width of the tire. A tire mounted on a narrow rim would be "narrower" than if the same size tire was mounted on a wide rim.

Note: Because the overall diameter of a steel-belted radial is essentially determined by the steel belts, there is little, if any, change to the overall diameter of the tire due to differences in rim width.

The industry rule of thumb is that for every 1/2" change in rim width, the tire's section width will correspondingly change by approximately 2/10".

"A tire's rim width range identifies the narrowest to the widest rim widths upon which the tire is designed to be mounted during its tens-of-thousands of miles and years of service."