Tyre Sizes

[sirrom]

Can anyone advise what the best tyre sizes for a standard 4" rim and a 4.5" rim are.

[bmcecosse]

The standard wheel is just 3.5" J section - and ideally a 135 X 14 tyre would be correct. Nearest available is 145 X 14, and many use 155 X 14 - inflate them to at least 30 psi. The wider 4.5" J wheel is ideal for the 155 tyre - and some do fit 165X70X14 tyres.

[andygill]

Hi

Is the 165 the width, 70 the profile and 14 the tyre size.

I've been told to get 155r 14 80s for my traveller

Thanks
Andy

[andygill]

Just so I know what to order for my traveller. The following appear to be available on various websites.

135 80 13 or 15
135 70 13 or 15

145 80 13 or 14 or 15
145 70 13 or 17

155 70 13 or 14
155 80 13 or 14 or 15

Thanks for your help.

Andy

[youngcamper]

well whatever width tyre you get it need to be on 14 inches unless you are prepared to fit A30/35 13 inch wheels.

for standard wheels 145 or 155 will be fine, mine has 155 on it and my dads convertible has 145s I can confirm that there is no noticeable difference between the too. the second number denotes the sidewall profile, a smaller number means a shallower side wall I would go for 80 side walls personally.

Hope that makes sense.

this might also help to explain what I'm on about : http://www.driverstechnology.co.uk/Tyre-size-coding.htm

[sirrom]

Thanks for your help on this. Not all these sizes seem to be available here in NZ or if they are I cant locate them
Looks like I will fit 165/70R14 to my 4.5" rims

[andygill]

It turns out my tyre is OK. The problem seems to be re inside of the wheel. The garage says it needs some sort of painting or sealing (can't quite remember what the meant).

Does anyone know what it is ?

Thanks
Andy

[bmcecosse]

Just fit tubes - many older rims leak slightly at the rivets. Or at the rims if they are rusty - obviously wise to wire brush/emery away any rust and apply a coat of protective paint.

[andygill]

Just fit tubes - many older rims leak slightly at the rivets. Or at the rims if they are rusty - obviously wise to wire brush/emery away any rust and apply a coat of protective paint.

Should the tyre fitters be able to fit a tube with my existing crossply ?

Thanks

[bmcecosse]

I think crossply tyres always had tubes in them!

[andygill]

I think crossply tyres always had tubes in them!

Mine don't !!!

It does say tubeless on the side.

[bmcecosse]

What size are they ?

[andygill]

What size are they ?

520-14 crossply

[ASL642]

Thought only people with Concours cars used crossplys these days.

[bmcecosse]

Well - they will give dreadful handling - but each to their own. It's a long time since I had crossplies - although Avon Wide Safety crossplie tyre were GREAT on my rally Mini. If they won't hold air - then tubes are the answer. I used 5:90 x 14 crossplies on my Minor. Thought they were great at the time - but then Michelin had only just invented the X radial at that time....

[SeamusHaggis]

I like the standard wheels in Old English White for my 1966 Traveller with 1275 engine, disk brakes & 5 speed. However, I can't get my wheels to be perfectly round and thus, perfectly balanced. So I bought four new Minilite replica 8 spoke alloy wheels, size 5.5 X 14. I need to buy tyres to fit these wheels and to not rub on anything. I want good dry (and wet) performance but not competition levels. I want a reasonably soft ride, positive steering response, and minimal road noise. Long wear would be good but I don't expect to put a lot of miles on each year so this factor isn't very important.

I have been advised that 175X65X14 would be appropriate. Bull Motif sells a Minilite replica/tyre package including 185X60X14 tyres. Large tyres should be good but too big will cause problems with suspension and wing clearance and small diameter will affect speedometer accuracy and revs at speed.

I am thinking about Michelin Harmony tyres, size 175X70X14 as being a good compromize, These are only .3" smaller in diameter than the standard 155R14 tyre.

Is this a good choice? Any negatives? Are there any other sizes or brands that would be better? Any comments or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

I need to purchase the Michelins if I choose them, by the end of the day (CDT in USA) on 13 July in order to qualify for a $70 USD rebate so I don't have much time to decide. Sorry for the short notice.

Thanks for your help.

Jim "Seamus Haggis" Harris

[bmcecosse]

Yes - I would go with the 70 section tyre at 175. 60 section is far too low.

[SeamusHaggis]

The Michelin Harmony 175X70X14 tyres are on the way. I'll post some comments when they are in use. Thanks much for the help.

[Fingolfin]

Central time? Where are you, Seamus? I'm in southwest Missouri.

I've go "175/70R14" splashed across the sides of my tires, and they sure look like they fit right. Not balloony or anything. Not understanding tire codes, I hope this is the same as 175 x 70 x 14 as you all were saying. Only trouble is, I need to modify the boot to fit the dang things in the spare bay!

[mike.perry]

You need to check the offset of the wheel and the clearance between the tyre and swivel pin