replacing bias ply with radial

[Ron Fischer]

Looking for help ,over the years this topic has cause a lot of controversy. My 51 Champ has 6.40x15 bais ply Wide Whitewall tires. After 17 years they show very little wear and no sings of dry rot, but my gut says I sould no longer not bet my life on these tires at highway speeds.
It is time to move upto Radials. Widest white wall I can find is 2.75 wide if any body knows of a wider white wall please let me know.
Over the years the Studebaker magazine has articles with folks swearing that you can only use 195x70 others say you can go upto a 205x70 without a problem. Since 4 of these tires will cost almost $800, I sure don't want to make a mistake. Open to all opinions. thanks, Ron

[avantilover]

I suggest you try http://www.dbtires.com/, Diamond Back tires should be able to assist you, they make white walls and should be able to advise on the rim sizes, as those who know more than me say, make sure the tire clears the fender through its full range of motion, i. e. it doesn't rub anywhere and you'll be right.

John Clements
Avantilover, your South Australian Studebaker lover!!!
Lockleys South Australia

[whacker]

Use 205 75 on Ford rims and you'll be OK.

[rockne10]

Diamondback can supply the widest whitewalls. I just got a set of 3" www on Hancook radials.

[Lark Hunter]

quote:Originally posted by Ron Fischer

Looking for help ,over the years this topic has cause a lot of controversy. My 51 Champ has 6.40x15 bais ply Wide Whitewall tires. After 17 years they show very little wear and no sings of dry rot, but my gut says I sould no longer not bet my life on these tires at highway speeds.
It is time to move upto Radials. Widest white wall I can find is 2.75 wide if any body knows of a wider white wall please let me know.
Over the years the Studebaker magazine has articles with folks swearing that you can only use 195x70 others say you can go upto a 205x70 without a problem. Since 4 of these tires will cost almost $800, I sure don't want to make a mistake. Open to all opinions. thanks, Ron

The tires you have on your Bulletnose currently are the exact right size for the car. They really don't match up very close with any of the radials in production. 195/70R15 is mostly a British sports car size. They are about 3.5" shorter overall diameter, 1" wider tread, and 2" wider cross section. Other sizes i.e. P195/75R15 & 205 variant continue that trend. Wider tread, even wider cross section (measured from sidewall to sidewall at widest point), but still too short overall. Your current tires don't sound like they NEED mandatory replacement, unless they are rotting from the inside out. That said, maybe a fresh set of bias ply tires would fill the bill. My current Coker catalog has BF Goodrich Silvertowns listed @ $152 with a 3" whitewall. 3+ inch whitewalls would be correct for a 1951 vehicle. Hope this is of some assistance.

LH

[transtarken]

I have a 50 Champ and have watched this disscustion before about Ford 4 bolt rims on Studebakers. I can't remmber if someone said they would work or not. Thanks Ken

[Lark Hunter]

Hey Ron,

Got your email, but I can't seem to get any out from my computer. I understand your plight, and radials usually do offer better handling capabilities. Try to find the tallest ones possible, i.e. P195/75R15, or even better if you can find 'em P195/80R15. Those would be pretty close to the 83% aspect of your current tires. I will check out Diamond Backs' website. Hope to see you at Phoenix 2010. It's only a 100 mile trek for me! Best wishes...

LH