<div dir="ltr"><div>Hi Ron,</div><div><br></div><div>Yes, you do gain ground clearance with a tire that has higher sidewalls. Using the original 5.90-15 as the baseline, here is the approximate deviation in clearance for other sizes:</div><div><br></div><div> - 185/70R15: -0.4"</div><div> - 165/80R15: -0.3"</div><div> - 180/80R15: +0.15"</div><div><br></div><div>Please note that for an 80-series tire, widths greater than 180 may result in fitment issues.</div><div><br></div><div>Best regards,</div><div><br></div><div>Harold</div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Mon, Feb 2, 2026 at 11:22 AM Robert Markovich <<a href="mailto:rmarkovich@aol.com">rmarkovich@aol.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div>
As I’ve noted, 165/80 tires have always fitted the bill for height and clearance. I’d tried 185/70s, which looked good and are the correct plus size moving up from 165/80, but they fouled the inner air deflectors for the radiator. Nothing serious, but annoying. <br><br><br><div><a style="font-size:12px" href="https://aolapp.onelink.me/eG2g?pid=NativePlacement&c=US_Acquisition_YMktg_320_EmailSignature_AttributionDL&af_sub1=Acquisition&af_sub2=US_YMktg&af_sub3=&af_sub4=100002473&af_sub5=SentFromNewAOLApp__Interstitial_&af_ios_store_cpp=ce85ce34-ad0f-4811-a92b-a172743b064e&af_android_url=https%3A%2F%2Fplay.google.com%2Fstore%2Fapps%2Fdetails%3Fid%3Dcom.aol.mobile.aolapp%26listing%3Demail_signature_attribution" target="_blank">Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS</a><br></div><br><p style="font-size:15px;color:rgb(132,115,255);padding-top:15px;margin-top:0px">On Monday, February 2, 2026, 2:05 PM, Hank Leach via Healeys <<a href="mailto:healeys@autox.team.net" target="_blank">healeys@autox.team.net</a>> wrote:</p><blockquote><div id="m_-4116671367286917877yiv1478875542"><div>Here are a set of original 5.90-15 bias Dunlop Road Speed tires on my early 100 (with small fender opening)-a tight fit but no interference. Also attached is the Michelin X Radial 165-15 on the BJ8 which originally used Dunlop 590-15 Bias when new. As you mention, Harold, the look and ride height is important. I always wonder how 16" bias tires were fitted to the 100 as an option? Tires larger than 185 seem to raise havoc with the sidelight wiring and speedo readings and this early 100 has a wider rear bump stop that caused issues with tire rub on curves thus they narrowed the part soon after my car was produced. Hank<br>-------------------- <br><br>From: "Harold Manifold" <<a href="mailto:manifold@telus.net" target="_blank">manifold@telus.net</a>> <br>To: "Richard Collins" <<a href="mailto:gonnagitcha90@hotmail.com" target="_blank">gonnagitcha90@hotmail.com</a>> <br>Cc: "Healeys" <<a href="mailto:healeys@autox.team.net" target="_blank">healeys@autox.team.net</a>> <br>Sent: February 2, 2026 at 9:05 AM PST <br>Subject: Re: [Healeys] Tires </div>
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<div>Hi,</div>
<div> </div>
<div>I should have been clearer in my previous email. If a 5.90-15 tire were converted to modern radial measurements, it would be a 163/86 R15. While a 163/86 R15 tire does not actually exist, Coker does offer a few options for the original 5.90-15 size.</div>
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<div>One of the key features of the 5.90-15 is the outside diameter and the sidewall height. In my opinion, a Healey looks better with tires that have a tall sidewall rather than a lower-profile tire.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Best regards,</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Harold</div>
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<div>
<div>On Sun, Feb 1, 2026 at 2:53 PM Richard Collins <<a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" href="mailto:gonnagitcha90@hotmail.com" target="_blank">gonnagitcha90@hotmail.com</a>> wrote:</div>
<blockquote style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
<div>When I bought my BN7 back in 2004’ish in Los Altos riding with Gary Anderson (RIP) in his BN7, it was basically a barnfind whose owner had died several years previously. It had mismatched wires and Pirelli 165 x 15 Centurions with tubes in them. The tires were beyond shot so in the process of replacing them, only Vreds were readily available, plus I wanted to go to 185 from 165. I debated about tubes but looking at the inside of the spoked rims it made sense to keep tubes if they were available. Living here in Kentucky I found a local farm equipment repair shop who had a large quantity of 15” tubes for tractor tires so I bought four for $5 each. I’ve thought about going to splined Minilights but haven’t made the move. I find keeping them at 32psi, keeps scuttleshake to a minimum as I’ve never had them professionally balanced.
<div>
<div>Regards,
<div>Richard C</div>
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<div><br>
<blockquote>On Feb 1, 2026, at 14:28, Harold Manifold <<a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" href="mailto:manifold@telus.net" target="_blank">manifold@telus.net</a>> wrote:<br><br></blockquote>
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<blockquote>
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<div>
<div>Hi,</div>
<div> </div>
<div>To add to the controversy regarding tires, I believe selection should be based on size and wheel compatibility rather than brand.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>If we look at the original 5.90-15 Road Speed RS5 tires found on most Austin-Healeys, the modern equivalent would be a 163/86 R15—essentially a narrow tire with tall sidewalls. These original tires filled the wheel arches and defined the car's stance. While a 70-series tire offers more width, it comes at the expense of sidewall height. In my view, the modern tire that closest matches the original 5.90-15 specifications is the Michelin XAS 180/80R15.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>During COVID, I put together a presentation on tire and wheel options for Healeys. I have attached a page that compares the various sizes. When comparing two Healeys side by side, I find that the one fitted with Michelin XAS 180/80R15s has a much more pleasing stance.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Let the controversy begin.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Best regards,</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Harold</div>
</div>
<br>
<div>
<div>On Sun, Feb 1, 2026 at 10:05 AM Richard Collins via Healeys <<a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" href="mailto:healeys@autox.team.net" target="_blank">healeys@autox.team.net</a>> wrote:</div>
<blockquote style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
<div>I have Vreds on my BN7, running with tubes; Never an issue; Falken 660 on one PCar, Kuhmos on another, Generals on wife’s car, Goodyear on another, etc.
<div>I have run Toyo, Nitto, Pirelli, Yokos, Michelin, etc over the years on track, street, snow/ice (this week. :-) ) and find pro/con with all of them. But as I think Simon on this board has said: there are horses for courses. I tend to be particular on my track car, running 200 compound rubber for grip rather than slicks while </div>
<div>Minimal road noise and price are the basis for selection on my road cars. I have Track X’d the Healey with the Vreds and they performed well but it is a back country road car and they are aging (not wearing) out.<br id="m_-4116671367286917877yiv1478875542m_-5907421954800235242m_1652514425094531187lineBreakAtBeginningOfSignature">
<div>Regards,
<div>Richard C</div>
<div> </div>
</div>
<div><br>
<blockquote>On Feb 1, 2026, at 10:43, Bob Spidell via Healeys <<a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" href="mailto:healeys@autox.team.net" target="_blank">healeys@autox.team.net</a>> wrote:<br><br></blockquote>
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<div>List has been a bit moribund lately so I thought maybe I'd try to start some controversy.<br><br>I run Vredestein tires on both my Healeys; the BN2 from relatively recently to having gone through several sets for my BJ8 over the decades. I was somewhat surprised to see Vredestein mentioned favorably with some of the 'biggees,' as I'd always thought of them as a 'niche' supplier (but I had heard the GM for Vred in the US was a Healey fan and one of their brochures featured a BJ8 on the cover). I've always been happy with their performance and longevity, and they supplied tires in some of the less common sizes (185/70R-15 for the BJ8; 165s for the BN2).<br><br>The CR article cited is behind a paywall:<br><br><em>"The very top of the winter-snow table has Bridgestone, Michelin, Nokian, and Vredestein as the most satisfying brands to own, and those latter three brands dominate the summer tires category, too."</em><br><br><a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.jalopnik.com/2085748/tire-brand-with-worst-owner-satisfaction-consumer-reports/" target="_blank">https://www.jalopnik.com/2085748/tire-brand-with-worst-owner-satisfaction-consumer-reports/</a> _______________________________________________<br>Support Team.Net <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.team.net/donate.html" target="_blank"> http://www.team.net/donate.html</a><br>Suggested annual donation $12.75<br><br>Archive: <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.team.net/pipermail/healeys" target="_blank">http://www.team.net/pipermail/healeys</a> <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" href="http://autox.team.net/archive/healeys" target="_blank">http://autox.team.net/archive/healeys</a><br><br><a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" href="mailto:Healeys@autox.team.net" target="_blank">Healeys@autox.team.net</a><br><a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" href="http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/healeys" target="_blank">http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/healeys</a><br><br>Unsubscribe/Manage: <a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" href="http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/healeys/gonnagitcha90@hotmail.com" target="_blank"> http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/healeys/gonnagitcha90@hotmail.com</a><br><br></div>
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<div><AH Wheels and Tires.pdf></div>
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<div> </div></div>_______________________________________________<br>Support Team.Net <a href="http://www.team.net/donate.html" target="_blank">http://www.team.net/donate.html</a><br>Suggested annual donation $12.75<br><br>Archive: <a href="http://www.team.net/pipermail/healeys" target="_blank">http://www.team.net/pipermail/healeys</a> <a href="http://autox.team.net/archive/healeys" target="_blank">http://autox.team.net/archive/healeys</a><br><br><a href="mailto:Healeys@autox.team.net" target="_blank">Healeys@autox.team.net</a><br><a href="http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/healeys" target="_blank">http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/healeys</a><br><br>Unsubscribe/Manage: <a href="http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/healeys/rmarkovich@aol.com" target="_blank">http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/healeys/rmarkovich@aol.com</a><br><br><blockquote></blockquote></blockquote>
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