Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Hi, I'm buying a 55 400 soon and the tires seem quite old. For obvious reasons I want to replace them ASAP. Question is, what tire sizes are acceptable. I'd rather not spend a grand on tires so I want to buy tires in the equivalent modern size, but I'm getting conflicting info on what size would be correct for a 8x15 tire.

tengtools: P225/75R15
Coker search engine: P225/75R15
Coker cross reference chart: P235/75R15 or P235/70R15
tirerack: P225/75R15
vintagecarconnection: P225/75R15 or P235/70R15
studebaker-info: P225/75R15 or P235/70R15 or P265/60R15
errolstyres: 235/60R15 or 225/70R15 or 215/80R15

Obviously the common denominator here is the P225/75R15 but I'm wondering if anything would be a better pick, or if there would really be any difference.

Right now, I'm thinking of going with P235/75R15 as I can get some easily for pretty cheap. Can't find any cheap, wide, whitewalls.

Spud.

I find them on line. Around 75 now

Wal mart had 235. For 65 bucks.

A year ago.

Those are white wall

Thanks, I'll check that out. Car currently has 235's.

Also what pressure do you use for yours?

While width is important for weight capacity, stability and looks I think the diameter is also important and needs to be taken into account. You may be willing to live with a few mph error and do mental calculations on the fly but if the tire is too small and you don't want the error then you will need to chase down a new speedometer gear to get it closer. Diamondback has a conversion chart showing average tire diameters and how number crosses changed over over the years.dbtires.com/conversion-chart/

One thing to be aware of if you decide to stay with 235s is the width is enough to be right at the point where there can be issues fitting them in the 55-6 rear wheelwells. No idea if that is prone to a particular brand or if there was that much of an issue with body construction and consistency during the Connor Ave days. Some report no problems while others have said it was a problem for them. Those with issues either scuffed up the whitewalls or to prevent that and in some cases even get them in had to resort to releasing pressure, doing what is needed with the body and axle so they can slide them past the edge of the well and then airing them up again after they are in approximate position. Hard to do that if you are changing a tire on the side of the road.

These are whitewalls, but not wide whitewalls. Work great on my 1953

carid.com/hankook-tires/optimo-h724-white-wall-p235-75r15-635263942.html

I put 36 in all around

The hanooks are wal mart still on rear.

Was having inside wearing problems.

Lower arm bushings.

The ones on car. I think I got on amazon. 70. Or 75 a tire.

The tires on front have smaller white wall.

Doesn't but me.

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H.

Yeah. Little tight on rear.

Really depends on how high the body is.

Diamond Back also has a series of radial tires in vintage car profile using the old size designations but no 8.00 X 15 as I believe your car should have. However, my 1953 Patrician had 8.20 X 15" tires and I have a set now on wire wheels, one of which I tried on my 1954 Patrician and no problem getting it into the wheel opening. Yes, it was snug but it went in and had no clearance issues with the skirts either.

I think putting big P235/75R15 radials on these cars requires a lot more steering force at low speeds than their power steering systems were ever designed to produce, or are capable of producing. I think it makes them much harder to steer. In fact, I'm considering selling my current radial tires so I can replace them with bias ply to fix my steering.