jframe Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 Been doing first one little thing to another to my 65, trying to make a nice car even better. One thing I did was to replace the 32 year old spare tire with a new, American Classic whitewall in 215/75-15. I am wondering whether I should use this size for my other four on the car, or go to the 225/75-15. I put the 215 for the spare mainly because I have read here that a 225 size is damned hard to get on the shelf under the package tray; apparently, it's a tight fit. I will most likely never use the spare; my Vette doesn't have one at all. I have towing insurance if worst comes to worst. I think the 225 tire would fit the Riv better, but I am really hunting opinions. Should I go to the 225 or stay with a 215/75-15? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seafoam65 Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 (edited) The 225 is the exact same diameter as the original 845-15 tires it came with when new. That's what I have on my car and they fit great and look right. You are right about the spare......my 225-75-15 spare will only fit on the shelf when deflated, so I carry an air pump with me when I go out of town in the car. Edited February 20, 2018 by Seafoam65 (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 The 91 - 96 Buick Roadmasters, Caprice Classics, and Oldsmobiles have a 5 on 5 bolt circle and run a 225/75R15 tire as stock. See if one of thair space saver tires won't fit on your shelf easier. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jframe Posted February 20, 2018 Author Share Posted February 20, 2018 Well, I was also wondering IF I had to use the 215 spare with the 225 tires actually on the car, if it would make a huge difference in driving if ONLY for short distance until I could get the 225 tire fixed or replaced? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 No. The front wheels are separate from one another and the spider gears in the rear end will compensate for the rear wheels. Think of it as driving with low pressure in one tire. You might want to keep the spare inflated to it's maximum pressure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1965rivgs Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 2 hours ago, jframe said: Well, I was also wondering IF I had to use the 215 spare with the 225 tires actually on the car, if it would make a huge difference in driving if ONLY for short distance until I could get the 225 tire fixed or replaced? Do you have a positraction differential? Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jframe Posted February 20, 2018 Author Share Posted February 20, 2018 14 minutes ago, 1965rivgs said: Do you have a positraction differential? Tom Nope, open, I believe 3.07 ratio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
telriv Posted February 21, 2018 Share Posted February 21, 2018 YOU DON'T want to rum odd size tires with a Posi diff. I've been using 225/70's for yrs. with NO problems. Same size spare. Tight fit, but does fit. Tom T. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted February 21, 2018 Share Posted February 21, 2018 When I was a kid in the tire shop we would get a pair of tires and one would be a little taller that the other. I would tell the customer to put the taller one on the passenger side of the car to compensate for the crown in the road. They would agree the road had to drain. So if you spare is a little shorter you are OK if the driver side tire goes flat. If a passenger side tire goes flat, first take the driver side tire off and replace the flat one. You can then put the spare on the driver side and compensate for the crown in the road. Simple! If you do that could you, please, video the roadside change? When I first read this topic, I immediately thought of those TV guys modifying the trunk floor to make the tire fit. Bernie 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now