Wheels / Tires: Wheel ID and tire dating

[BShaw]

I finally got around to putting the new tires and wheels on the Hawk. I'd like to get some info on my old tires and wheels if possible. The wheels are 15 x 6. Can one tell by this photo if they are Ford or Mopar?



As for the old tires, they are Goodyear polysteel radials. Is this the date code?



...or is it this number?



Here's what my new Cooper radials and rallye wheels look like.



Thanks.

[Swifster]

The second picture of the tire is what you're looking for. They were made the 5th week of 1998. I'm not sure about the wheels.

[BShaw]

They were made the 5th week of 1998.

Thanks! They still hold air have good tread and all but, like me, are getting pretty long in the tooth to be trustworthy for any distance driving.

[41 Frank]

Some of those OEM rims had either a Mopar Pentastar or have Fomoco stamped into them.

[BShaw]

Some of those OEM rims had either a Mopar Pentastar or have Fomoco stamped into them.

I looked them over but didn't see any markings. would the stamping be on the outside of the rim or inside? I still have the tires on 'em.

[41 Frank]

It would be on the front side of the rim Bob. On some I have seen them between the holes for the studs.

[StudeRich]

I see the end of the word "Polyester" Cord, that may make them even older than that. I believe that is a Tire Serial Number: 720058 before they were dated. The PDUL is the Factory code.

If it IS the Date Code, it could also be the 5th Week of 1988!

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=11&

The New Wheels look Great, but the Tires not so much, those sidewalls on the New Coopers are really stretched out and bulging like a more than 5 1/2 inch wheel will do with a P205X75R15 Tire, are the wheels more than 6 inches?

UPDATE: Looking at that now knowing your tire and wheel size, I can see what I would do if I had to use a wheel that wide, I would use P215X70R15, it should only be a 2 tenths of an inch (+) or (-) in height but wide enough to handle the wheel with STRAIGHT sidewalls like they should be.

But I understand it is done, looks good and will probably work fine, it's not MY money and Car!

[BShaw]

I see the end of the word "Polyester" Cord, that may make them even older than that. I believe that is a Tire Serial Number: 720058 before they were dated. The PDUL is the Factory code.

If it IS the Date Code, it could also be the 5th Week of 1988!

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=11&

The New Wheels look Great, but the Tires not so much, those sidewalls on the New Coopers are really stretched out and bulging like a more than 5 1/2 inch wheel will do with a P205X75R15 Tire, are the wheels more than 6 inches?

The wheels are 6 inch. Tires are 205s

If the old tires are from 1988 the certainly wouldn't be trustworthy regardless of how good the appearance. Someone will want/need the wheels anyway.

[BShaw]

It would be on the front side of the rim Bob. On some I have seen them between the holes for the studs.

I'll look again tomorrow. I may have to scrape some paint off.

[studegary]

I don't see why either (tire or wheel ) matters. The tires are WAY too old to use. The wheel is damaged and shouldn't be used. They both could be used to support a yard car or to move a car around the garage, but that is about it.

[StudeRich]

The Wheels are Ford Bob, the 15X6 is stamped inside the wheel.
Usually between the studs like 41 Frank said, you can see the "Ford" Oval unless they are aftermarket.

[BShaw]

The wheel is damaged and shouldn't be used.

I'll look more closely tomorrow but I "think" that the damage you are seeing (ovaled hole?) is just an optical illusion. I could be wrong, though, of course.

[BShaw]

UPDATE: Looking at that now knowing your tire and wheel size, I can see what I would do if I had to use a wheel that wide, I would use P215X70R15, it should only be a 2 tenths of an inch (+) or (-) in height but wide enough to handle the wheel with STRAIGHT sidewalls like they should be.

Now that they are mounted I do not disagree that 215's might have been a better choice for these wheels. I chose 205's because that's what was on there before; most tire charts show the wheel width range for 205's to be 5.5" to 7.5" so I figured 6" should look fine; and many others, including some on this forum, are running 205's on 6" rims. Maybe tire brand makes a visual difference...don't know...not gonna worry about it until the tread wears out.

[BShaw]

Just to follow up on a couple things...

Thanks for the tips on ID stamp location. The wheels are indeed Ford. Stamped K2 9.

Gary: My photo was out of perspective. None of the wheels show any damage or elongated holes.

[jimmijim8]

Too small tires. Need 215's. jimmijim