Old 15x6 Cragars, Tire Size?

[matthon]

So I'm going to get tires, hopefully tomorrow, on four 15x6 old school Cragars.
$40 off coupon expires soon!

Trying to figure the best size to get, and whether or not to get small and big, front and rear.

Leaning towards same size all around.

62 Dart, terrible pic below. It came with 215/70R15 all around on cop wheels, which I think are 15x7.

Cragar ad states 7.00 or larger tires, which I guess means width.

I like how the 215/70s fill out the wheel wells, although I wouldn't have thought it would, but just my ignorance.

Called a few tire places, one guy seemed to know his cars and tires, looked up a few sizes and was leaning towards 225 or 215 70s.

Is 225/70R15 too big for a 6" wheel?

Anyone recommend another size?
Or big and small on the same size wheel?

 

[matthon]

Tire Size Calculator

 

[Mattax]

Nice tires. I still have those Indy 500s on my car! (except 215/70r14)

For widths, I'd go with the tire manufacture's recommendations.
for example looking up on tire rack, 6" the minimum rim width for that tire.

 

[K.O. SWINGER]

225 will be fine.

 

[matthon]

Yeah, my Indy 500s are brand new, still have the nubs on them, but decades old and the treads are full of cracks.

I checked tire rack, helpful, but I was surprised that with tax, free shipping, and the best local shop to install that had a reasonable price, I'm looking at about a $24 savings.
I happen to have a $40 coupon to the local place as well, so it's a wash.

Still, I thought tire rack was a deal, but everytime I look at specific tires it's barely worth it.

 

[Mattax]

They're good for info and when I was using a service station that that was affiliated, it was convenient.
Next set of Firestone A/T for my wagoneer, I'm just going to Firestone.

My Indy 500s still look pretty good. I get concerned about cracks on the main surface, but not so on the raised ends of the treads. its definately a judgement call.

Anyways it looks like 225/70 on 6 is OK but the tire may be a little bulged. May get better contact patch and tire support with the 215/70 on the 6.

 

[LocuMob]

I have 235/70 on 15x6 Cragar G/T rims, they're fine. They were at the upper end of acceptable tires for a 6" rim.

 

[barbee6043]

People tend to put wider tires on wheels than what they are designed for.

 

[matthon]

I'm going 215/70.
Found a post on fbbo, guy put 225s on a 7" wheel with 4.25 bs on a 62 Dodge and the tire is close to the leading fender edge.

My wheels are 6" with a 3.75 bs.
The cop wheels fit with 215s, and I'm sure those are 7".

A real rough estimate, measuring from the front of the cop wheel, where the lug nut sits (wheels on another car now) it's 3" to the edge of the wheel.
Same measurement on the Cragars is 2.5".

So, the Cragar won't stick out as far as the cop rim, so the same size tire should clear the fender.

 

[33IMP]

I've got 235/75s on the front of my 62, (seven inch rim) but the splash panel has been trimmed quite a bit. And I also have 235/60 on six inch steelies, on a different car.
For you, same size all around? I'd get 225/70x15s.

 

[matthon]

235/70 seems big.
The 215s in my 7" cop wheels look big.

235 v 215

 

[matthon]

225 v 215

For my purposes, I don't think a gain in height of .5 is needed just to get .4 in width.
I like the look of wider, but I'm limited with 6" wheels and front fender clearance.

 

[matthon]

On another note, not all shops have 'touchless' tire mounting machines.
That matters big time with old school wheels.
I know from experience with Cragars, the top of the center can crack off, leaving half of the center cap mounting edge.