Champ Tires

[GTCruiser]

Am about to buy tires for a '63 Champ 8E7, manual steering. Looks like 205 75R15 is what to get. Anyone have thoughts or recommendations, please. Thanks

[53k]

quote:Originally posted by GTCruiser

Am about to buy tires for a '63 Champ 8E7, manual steering. Looks like 205 75R15 is what to get. Anyone have thoughts or recommendations, please. Thanks

I know 205x75s are generally recommended as a replacement for the original 6.70x15 bias ply tires that came on 1/2-ton Champs, but I have found that 215s are almost exactly the same height as 6.70s. Champs have six-inch rims so the extra width is no problem for them (Lark 4 1/2-inch rims are too narrow). You could also very likely use 225x75x15s too.
This picture shows from the right a 195x75x15, a 205x75x15, a 215x75x15 and a NOS 6.70x15 bias ply:




Paul Johnson, Wild and Wonderful West Virginia. '64 Daytona Wagonaire, '64 Daytona convertible, '53 Commander Starliner, Museum R-4 engine, '62 Gravely Model L, '72 Gravely Model 430

[jclary]

Most important! Make sure to check the "Date Code" of whatever tires you purchase. Make sure they are "NEW" and have not been sitting for years in a warehouse. Tires will lose some of their suppleness and flexibility over time even if they have not been mounted on rims. I once bought a "NEW" set of tires only to discover (later) that they were actually 5 years old when I bought them.

John Clary
Greer, SC

Life... is what happens as you are making plans.
SDC member since 1975

[2R5]

I think the Champ rims are 5 in not 6
Cars were 4.5 in

[IMG]

Home of the Fried Green Tomato
"IF YOU WANT THE SMILES YOU NEED TO DO THE MILES "

1960 Champ
1964 Daytona HT
1966 Daytona

[GTCruiser]

quote:Originally posted by 53k

quote:Originally posted by GTCruiser

Am about to buy tires for a '63 Champ 8E7, manual steering. Looks like 205 75R15 is what to get. Anyone have thoughts or recommendations, please. Thanks

I know 205x75s are generally recommended as a replacement for the original 6.70x15 bias ply tires that came on 1/2-ton Champs, but I have found that 215s are almost exactly the same height as 6.70s. Champs have six-inch rims so the extra width is no problem for them (Lark 4 1/2-inch rims are too narrow). You could also very likely use 225x75x15s too.
This picture shows from the right a 195x75x15, a 205x75x15, a 215x75x15 and a NOS 6.70x15 bias ply:




Paul Johnson, Wild and Wonderful West Virginia. '64 Daytona Wagonaire, '64 Daytona convertible, '53 Commander Starliner, Museum R-4 engine, '62 Gravely Model L, '72 Gravely Model 430

[GTCruiser]

How did you get the photo of the four tires so fast? That really helped. The rims are supposed by be 5" per the book, will see when a tire is dismounted. Will check date code. Thanks

[wolfie]

I have 225/75's on mine and they fit and clear really well. 235's would be OK also and are much easier to find. Steve

STOLEN Studebaker!Ventura County ad says contact
Barry @ 805-218-3658

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/1544229962.html

[53 Commander]

My 62 Champ 7E7 has P235/75 R15 on the stock rims.

Steve


53 Commander Hardtop
55 Commander Conestoga
60 Lark Convertible
62 Champ 7E7
49 2R15 Stakebed

[StudeRich]

I think one of the reasons that all these posters are say they are running larger than P205X75R15 Radials with no problem is backed up by the fact that, although the 6.70X15 was the STANDARD tire, most 1/2 Ton and all 3/4 ton actually came with (were ordered with) the optional larger tires, on a 1/2 ton, that would be 7.10X15.

My Dad's original, bought new '60 Champ 5E6-122 1/2 Ton with Commander 245 Big 6, was ordered with 7.10X15 Firestone Tires and the next and only replacement tires were and are Winston/Delta 7.00X15 6 Ply rated Bias ply Truck Tires, which are like the LT 85 Series modern truck tires, quite tall. [^]

Remember the small tires turn faster, wear faster, give higher RPM's on the road and give lower MPG and more engine wear and noise than larger tires. Effectively lowering the axle ratio (higher numerically), not a lot but enough to notice.

StudeRich

[62champ]

quote:Originally posted by StudeRich

I think one of the reasons that all these posters are say they are running larger than P205X75R15 Radials with no problem is backed up by the fact that, although the 6.70X15 was the STANDARD tire, most 1/2 Ton and all 3/4 ton actually came with (were ordered with) the optional larger tires, on a 1/2 ton, that would be 7.10X15.

My Dad's original, bought new '60 Champ 5E6-122 1/2 Ton with Commander 245 Big 6, was ordered with 7.10X15 Firestone Tires and the next and only replacement tires were and are Winston/Delta 7.00X15 6 Ply rated Bias ply Truck Tires, which are like the LT 85 Series modern truck tires, quite tall. [^]

StudeRich

On the '60 1/2 ton Champ, wasn't the standard tire still the 6.00X16?

According to the PO ordered for my '62, it came from the factory with the 6.70s. With the price of those tires today, it will take some time to save the money to get enough for a set for my truck. Then I will not have to "muscle" her around parking lots any longer...


<center>60S-W4 - 7E7-122
</center>

[53k]

quote:Originally posted by GTCruiser

How did you get the photo of the four tires so fast? That really helped. The rims are supposed by be 5" per the book, will see when a tire is dismounted. Will check date code. Thanks

Had the picture from a thread some time back. I am probably wrong about the six inch- CRS any more.



Paul Johnson, Wild and Wonderful West Virginia. '64 Daytona Wagonaire, '64 Daytona convertible, '53 Commander Starliner, Museum R-4 engine, '62 Gravely Model L, '72 Gravely Model 430

[Lenny R2]

On my 62 Champ i have 205x75x15 mounted on Chevy van wheels.They say if you go
with to wide a tire its going to harder to turn the steering wheel.

Lenny
Atlanta Ga.

[rockne10]

Harder to turn the wheel and not nearly as good in the snow as a narrow tread. That's important to people who [u]drive</u> Studebakers.[}][)]

[StudeRich]

quote:Originally posted by 62champ

On the '60 1/2 ton Champ, wasn't the standard tire still the 6.00X16?

No, the 1/2 Tons would rarely be special ordered with 16 in. wheels in 1960, but 3/4 Tons all came with them on 8 lug wheels, not 5.

And the book sez...[u]527539 Wheel 15X6.00</u> used on 3E, 4E, & 5E ('57-'60) Models: 1,2,3,5,6,& 7 (all 6 & 8 Cyl. 1/2 Tons.

[u]1690461 Wheel 16X4.50</u> Available, same models.

Looks like Paul was correct, the 5 in. if used, must be on older trucks.

StudeRich

[GTCruiser]

Have ordered Cooper Trendsetter SE 215 75R15's. Truck now has (bought it in December) 205 front and 215 rear. If it is much harder to turn the steering wheel I'll be in trouble! Thanks for all the help.