What's The Best Tire Size???

[Guest]

I was just thinking about changing the sizes of the tires on my 70 skylark and I was wondering what size everyone else think is the best to have. I have 14x7 rims and I live in Phx where there is very hot climate and very little snow so I was thinking 225-70R-14. What does everyone else think?

[Guest]

I have a '71 and am wanting better tires for it also. Jerk who replaced them last put on cheap Continental 215/75-R14. I was thinking Firestone S220 205/70-R14. But I'll wait to see what the Pros say here as that first number gets me. SoCal here btw.<P>I hope this becomes a nice size thread as I am sure many others also deem tire size and quality important.<P>my 2cents and then some.

[GSMAG]

The correct size is G 78 14. That translates to P235/70 14. Tough to find that size anymore. Go with 225/70 14. If you can locate some 15" wheels, P255/60 15 is the largest size you can fit without problems and is the correct fit for the optional G 60 15 tire size.

[Guest]

Thanks for the recommendation but I'd kind of like to keep the my original rallye rims.

[Guest 65sky]

buickgs65<BR> i just put a pair of p 255/60 15 on the rear of my 65 skylark gs on 15x7 buick road wheels and 205/ 70/ 14's on the front this thing looks WAY TO COOL.

[Guest]

I have a 65 Skylark and was planning on putting 255/60/15 (x8) wheels in the rear, and 215/60/15 (x6) in the front. Whould this combo fit without any problems? What back spacing would work best? Thanks.<BR>Dan<BR>BuickGS65@aol.com

[GSMAG]

The 15" wheels I was referring to are 15" Buick Rallye wheels. They are the identical style and were a factory option/upgrade.

[Guest]

So would 15x8 fit in the rear with 255/60/15 tires on a 65 Skylark/GS? And do the Buick rallye wheels come larger/wider than 15x7?<BR>Dan<BR>BuickGS65@aol.com

[GSMAG]

Dan, not sure what will fit a '65. I have experience only with 70-72 models. There is a company that reproduces the Rallye wheels and they do make a 15 X 8 size. I've seen ads in MUscle Car review, but don't see them in the issue I have right now. Ha! Just found it! Wheel Vintiques (559) 251-6957. No website listed in the ad.

[Guest 65sky]

Dan<BR> 15x8 rims should fit with the p 255/60/15 tires but to be on the safe side 15x7 will work and look just fine . cokertire.com sells the buick road wheels up to 10 in. wide good luck

[Guest]

Has anyone put 16" aftermarket wheels on a 64-67? I have a 64 skylark convertible, and when it's done want to put 16" on it all the way around, preferably with the same size tire all the way around.<P>------------------<BR>Drew Schofield<BR>83 Regal<BR>64 Skylark Convertible<BR>www.angelfire/tn/page4drew/regal.html<BR>droopie@midsouth.rr.com<BR>

[Guest]

Dan,<BR>Here are some 15x8's <A HREF="http://www.buick-parts.com/cgi-bin/checkitout" TARGET=_blank>http://www.buick-parts.com/cgi-bin/checkitout</A> <BR>/checkitout.cgi?somersetSTORE:CKIE rodGSW158-3+<p>[This message has been edited by rroblesII (edited 06-26-2000).]

[Guest]

65sky-<BR>How wide are your 14" Buick wheels on the front?<BR>Thanks<BR>Dan<BR>BuickGS65@aol.com

[Guest]

I just recently put new tires and rims on my 70 Skylark. In the rear I have 15X7 American Racing Torq-Thrust II's with <BR>245-60 BFGoodrich Radial TA's. The front has 15X6's and 235/60's. I have barely any space left in the rear with the 245's on. It looks pretty good too since the rear tires aren't extremely wide. <P>Lager

[NTX5467]

The desired tire size has nothing to do with snow capabilities or brand, but the physical size (i.e., sidewall width) of the tires in question.<P>The production sizes for the 70 Skylark could have ranged from an F78-14 on the less optioned vehicles to the now extinct H78-14 for some of the wagons. The previous sizes for these were F78-14 = 7.75-14, G78-14 = 8.25-14, H78-14 = 8.55-14.<P>Converting those into the first generation of radial sizes come up with F78-14 = 195R-14, G78-14 = 205R-14, H78-14 = 215R-14. In the current P-metric sizing, that equates to P205/75R-14, P215/75R-14, and P225/75R-14. If you decrease the aspect ratio from "75" to "70", then add "10" to the size number (i.e., P215/70R-14, P225/70R-14, P235/70R-14, respectively).<P>The key item is to remember that whatever tire you get should be of the same approximate diameter as what is on there now or what came on it when new. That will keep the ground clearance and speedometer accuracy issues under control.<P>Almost all of the current premium radial tires are of M+S ratings (with varying types of tread designs) so you just have to decide on the brand once you have the size under control. Check the Tire Rack's magazine ads or online listings for prices and other sources also.<P>I also have a 70 Skylark Custom V-8 with the factory 14" steel wheels. I plan on putting some factory 15x7 chrome wheels on it mainly for the flexibility of buying tires for it as the 14" sizes like we need seem to be decreasing each year. When I do that, the size will be either P215R/75-15 or P225/70R-15 in either whitewall or "Bill Board" white letters. <P>I don't have to have the widest wheels and tires under it, just something that works and looks "normal" to me without going overboard. If you have a rompin' stomping torque monster under the hood, it's one thing, but a somewhat normal 350 V-8 is another thing. If I was doing a GS clone, it would probably need the correct sized tires under it to go with the wheels, but I'm not and I don't suspect the original poster is either. To each his own.