[Healeys] 'New' 185R15 tire choice available...

[Douglas Lyon]

Original tires on all big Healeys were 5.90/90-15, with a diameter of 
25.62". *   If you translate that original size into the metric lingo of 
current tire sizing that would be 150/90-15.

                        Diameter
185/80-15   =   26.65"
175/80-15   =   26.02"
5.90/90-15  =   25.62"
165/80-15   =   25.39"
155/80-15   =   24.76"

So, as far as tire diameter goes, the 165/80-15 would be the closest fit to 
the original, albeit just a hair smaller.
As for tread width, the 165/80-15 will more closely resemble the original 
tires than will anything wider (while still being 15mm wider than the 
originals).
The 155/80-15 is definately getting too short.

Douglas Lyon
Claremont, CA

'59 BN7


* Courtesy of an old Moss Motors, British Motoring article.



---- Original Message ----- 
From: "Greg Lemon" <glemon at neb.rr.com>
To: "Healey List" <healeys at autox.team.net>; "John Soderling" 
<bighealey at astound.net>
Sent: Wednesday, July 08, 2009 4:31 PM
Subject: Re: [Healeys] 'New' 185R15 tire choice available...


> Actually 80 profile is pretty close to "standard" a 165/80 as we have had
> available is pretty close in dimension to the original equipment bias plys
> fitted to early cars, I would think the 185/80 would certainly fill the
> wheel wells up much better than the 185/70 that has been popular (though 
> now
> is hard to find) on big Healeys.  I think a "standard"" aspect ratio may 
> be
> more like 82%, but at 80 you are certainly pretty close.
>
>
> Greg Lemon