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Sat Oct 01, 2011 6:10 am

I have been looking for tires for my stock 4.5" rims and the 165 r 15 are not to be found unless you want to spend 120 at coker. I have seen that 185 65 15 and 195 65 15 can be run, is this true? My local tire shop says no. But if it is doable (and safe) I can mount them my self and then have them balanced.
Thanks

Sat Oct 01, 2011 6:24 am

185/65r15 is the widest tire I would use on A 4.5 wheel..

Sat Oct 01, 2011 7:08 am

185/65x15 are an inch shorter so car will be lower and speedo/odo affected. Kumho and NanHook still supply the 165/80x15 "original" size for reasonable cost. Even JC Whitney has them.

Nexen and Nankang are $73 and $74.

http://www.wheelsnext.com/tiressize-car-trucks-TIRESIZE-165%7C80%7C15.htm

Sat Oct 01, 2011 12:58 pm

yes they will but wouldnt go any wider. heres a picture of my new 185 65 15 in stock 4.5" wheels. I hate to say it but I was wanting the 165 15's originally but due to lack of local availibility i went with the 185's. kinda like the look of these better.

Sun Oct 02, 2011 6:34 am

Most of the time the.....employees at the newer cheapo tire stores have no clue as to what a 165/15 is. Without the aspect ratio they cant punch it into the computer to even look it up, so its easier to just say...."we cant get that size". Fact most any tire stores can get you those at a reasonable price. You have to ask for 165/80/15 tires.

Yes you can use a 185/65 or 195/65. The 195 is closer to stock height.
I have used a 205/65 as well but the buldge is pretty chunky, and to some may not be considered safe. I never had a problem, but that doesnt mean its right.

Sun Oct 02, 2011 9:09 am

VOLKSWAGNUT wrote: Most of the time the.....employees at the newer cheapo tire stores have no clue as to what a 165/15 is. Without the aspect ratio they cant punch it into the computer to even look it up, so its easier to just say...."we cant get that size". Fact most any tire stores can get you those at a reasonable price. You have to ask for 165/80/15 tires.

Yes you can use a 185/65 or 195/65. The 195 is closer to stock height.
I have used a 205/65 as well but the buldge is pretty chunky, and to some may not be considered safe. I never had a problem, but that doesnt mean its right.

Breath of fresh air :D

On the topic of wider tires. Remember that the wider or heavier the tire the larger the reciprocating mass, this means less HP. That's why I run 145's and can keep up with traffic :lol:

Sun Oct 02, 2011 10:26 am

doc1369>>>> What do you mean by breath of fresh air?

Do you seriuosly use 145's on the rear. Unless you have a gear change you must be stretching out 4th pretty tight on the top RPM's.

Sun Oct 02, 2011 10:43 am

You acknowledged that it was wrong. I do tons of stuff the wrong way, just take ownership of it. That's a rare thing on the interweb.

My trans isn't stock, early unknown donor. Not sure about anything but that it's from before 67. What ever the final gear ratio is the 145's actually helped. No tach but the revs are just right at about 65. Only put the 145's on because I got them brand new for 50 bucks off a guy. Plan is to replace them with lower profile 165's when they wear out.

Sun Oct 02, 2011 7:03 pm

Gotcha,
Right or wrong, if it works cant be too wrong.
Nothing better than experience and the willingness to try a few things... screw up and learn.
Mistakes are one of the best teachers in my opinion.
I also have a 205/70/15 mounted on a stock 66/67 rim. It has worked fine for me as a spare for towing junk cars home. Thats about the largest Id go on a stock rim and use it.

Mon Oct 03, 2011 10:32 am

VOLKSWAGNUT wrote:
Right or wrong, if it works cant be too wrong.
Nothing better than experience and the willingness to try a few things... screw up and learn.
Mistakes are one of the best teachers in my opinion.

i disagree. learn from other people's mistakes. no need to repeat them. tire shop workers are not idiots. they mount and balance all manner of tire and wheel sizes all day every day. listen to them. just because something "fits", doesn't mean its a good idea. mistakes at 65 mph in a flimsy antique car can have very serious consequences indeed.

Mon Oct 03, 2011 10:58 am

torsionbar wrote: VOLKSWAGNUT wrote:
Right or wrong, if it works cant be too wrong.
Nothing better than experience and the willingness to try a few things... screw up and learn.
Mistakes are one of the best teachers in my opinion.

i disagree. learn from other people's mistakes. no need to repeat them. tire shop workers are not idiots. they mount and balance all manner of tire and wheel sizes all day every day. listen to them. just because something "fits", doesn't mean its a good idea. mistakes at 65 mph in a flimsy antique car can have very serious consequences indeed. X2... I worked in A tire shop. I have put 135's on 7.5" wheels, just because it can be dun dont mean its safe! I would not put A wider tire then A 185 on A 4.5" wheel and call it safe,, 185 is the max as far as I'm cornered, and some tire guys wount even go that big..

Mon Oct 03, 2011 3:40 pm

I ran Federal Formoza tyres about that size on stock 4.5" on the front many moons ago, with no dramas.
I'll have to have a look they may even be 185/60 now I think about it but tyre shop said we'll fit them but its border line on too wide for the rim.
I ran them for years with lots of spirited driving with no issues.