[gto*johnny]

For a late '78 T/A that will be running the 15x8 repro Snowflake wheels, can you get away using the 215-70-R15 tires (Goodrich TA's) or is that not enough tire for the width? I would appreciate any info.
From what I can see from factory and aftermarket sources, it appears the factory tire was a 225.
thanks

[Grand73Am]

According to the BFG tire specs for 215-70-15, the recommended rim width range for that tire size is 5.5" to 7". So, I don't think they'd work well on 8" wheels. Personally, I wouldn't even consider that size. Too narrow for my taste. Might as well go 225-70-15 instead, since that's the factory size.

And again according to specs, with the factory 225-70 size tire, it's even stretching the limit on an 8" wheel, so you definitely don't want to go smaller.

People often use even wider tires though. Probably the most common wider tire used is the 255-60-15, which is only about 1/4" shorter than original, but wider of course.

I just bought 4 new 15x8 Year One snowflakes today myself. I'm putting 245-60-15 BFG Radial TA's on them tomorrow. I've liked that size on my other cars for many years. They're wider, but not too big for my taste. They look good and the ride is smooth. So, I'll see how they look on my 79 TA tomorrow. According to specs, it's about 3/4" shorter than the original 225-70's. So, it lowers the car just a little.

If you like, I'll put up a pic of my of my car with the new wheels and tires sometime tomorrow evening, so you can see how it looks with that size.

[77 TRASHCAN]

I too would like to se picture...I traded for a set of those tires. Have not installed on my car yet...

[Grand73Am]

Okay, will do .

[muscle_collector]

I ran 265 50 15 bfg radial ta on my ta's with the 8" wheels. no rubbing and a lot of meat on the ground.

[TAKerry]

255/r60-152018-02-22_09-50-04 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr
2017-11-09_12-04-53 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

[77 TRASHCAN]

Look'n Good, Billy Ray!!!

I've seen a lot of folks run the 255-60R15's on snow flake wheels, could see why 265-50R15's would also work.

I've seen P225-70R15's on the 8" snowflake wheels, on a couple of T/A's, did not realize that was the factory tire size for that wheel.

In my mind I've always equated the 225-70R15's to be the same size the the GR70R15's that came on my car, that had t" rally II wheels...

It seemed like I remember the tires that came on 8" wheels were HR70R15's...??? am I wrong (again, LOL) Maybe ir was HR60R15 tires on 8" wheels, AND maybe it was Corvettes...

[Green Hornet]

As I recall....ALL 78-81 T/A's came with 225 70 15's....WS4 or WS6.

I replaced my OE 225 Polysteels on my 78....in 1980...with Eagle ST....255 60 x 15's.....

If your ride height is close to stock......they fit...and look GREAT......They fill up the wheel well just like the stock size....

[Grand73Am]

Originally Posted by 77 TRASHCAN

I too would like to se picture...I traded for a set of those tires. Have not installed on my car yet...

Here's the promised pic. I just installed the new snowflakes and tires on the car today and below is a pic that I took this afternoon on my maiden voyage around the neighborhood with the new tires and wheels. I stopped at the grocery store parking lot to take the pic. It's been an ugly day today with light rain, but the pic turned out okay. The tires are 245-60-15's, and still have the "bluing" on the letters. I haven't put the center caps on the wheels yet. I still have more work to do on this car, but I've rebuilt the mechanicals so it's dependable and I can have some fun driving it.

004 by grand73am, on Flickr

[Green Hornet]

I tried some 245/60 x 15's.......before I put the 255's on.....but couldn't live with the big gap in between the tire and wheelhouse edge....

The 245's also felt "twitchy"......on less than perfect pavement...at highway speed......although...they were an off brand...not Goodyear...or Goodrich...

I just prefer the 255's...because they looked stock......but were wider......and rode really nice.......on a 3 year old car....

[Grand73Am]

Yes, many like the 255-60's.

I haven't had the "twitchy" problem with many years of using 245-60's. They've been very steady, which is one of things I like about them.

If you look at the specs, there's really only 1/2" difference in height between the 255 and 245. I rebuilt the suspension on this car with new springs. I just started driving it today, so it may settle down a little over time.

[autobahn]

I put 255x35x18 Nittos on front and 285x35x18 on the rear, I hated when going around a corner feeling the side walls flex with the 255x60x15 .that I HAD on.

[77 TRASHCAN]

Originally Posted by Grand73Am

Here's the promised pic. I just installed the new snowflakes and tires on the car today and below is a pic that I took this afternoon on my maiden voyage around the neighborhood with the new tires and wheels. I stopped at the grocery store parking lot to take the pic. It's been an ugly day today with light rain, but the pic turned out okay. The tires are 245-60-15's, and still have the "bluing" on the letters. I haven't put the center caps on the wheels yet. I still have more work to do on this car, but I've rebuilt the mechanicals so it's dependable and I can have some fun driving it.

004 by grand73am, on Flickr

I just looked at your flicker pictures. You are definitely experienced in T/A restoring and repairing. Is this silver car the only one you currently own? ...if you wish to say...

[Grand73Am]

Originally Posted by 77 TRASHCAN

I just looked at your flicker pictures. You are definitely experienced in T/A restoring and repairing. Is this silver car the only one you currently own? ...if you wish to say...

No, I have more. I like to have extras. I collected and restored old Chevys for a long time, mainly 55-57's. But, I always liked TA's too, especially 79's. So, I finally decided to get one about 13 years ago, a gold 79 TA hardtop. Still have it. I also wanted a t-top car, so I found this silver one about 8 years ago. And since then, I bought 2 more. So now I have a total of 4 79 TA's. They're all project cars, so didn't cost much. I tend to collect project cars, since they're cheap and I can fix 'em up myself. I also have 5 other old cars, but I won't bore you with the list. Needless to say, I'm never lacking for something to do .

[Grand73Am]

Also, 77 TRASHCAN....I noticed in your signature that you bought your 77 new in 77 and still own it. That's quite an accomplishment! Congrats!

[77 TRASHCAN]

Originally Posted by Grand73Am

Also, 77 TRASHCAN....I noticed in your signature that you bought your 77 new in 77 and still own it. That's quite an accomplishment! Congrats!

Thanks!!!
It's not in the greatest shape, at the moment. It's never been wrecked, has minimal rust (the quarters need attention, I modified the the fenderwell lips with a hammer years ago for wider rear tires. It allowed moisture inside, AND I never removed the plugs in the lower rear corners of the quarters to clean them out and/drain them of moisture.

I do essentially all the work to my cars, myself, so that keeps some expenses down...My other 2 projects are Chevy C-10 pickups, 1-67, 1-68. Both long wide beds. The 68 is a Golden Anniversary edition (there was no special identification of these models, just gold paint and gold interior colors), however it's a little unusual it came with a 396, TH400, AC, PB, PS. 68 was first year for pickup big blocks, most were 3/4 tons, ordered for towing. I think of mine as a first year Hot Rod pickup, sort of. AC in 67's and 68's was also unusual.

My 67 has factory AC. It was a very plain jane pickup, 283/glide. Driver side arm rest and sun visor only on that side. Gauges were a step above standard. Only step option was the AC...weird...

[Grand73Am]

In 77, I bought a brand new, black Malibu Classic with Firethorn red interior, and Rally wheels with RWL BFG steel belted radials. It was sharp. I put 70K miles on it in 2 years and in 79, I spotted a sporty 77 Corvette, red with white leather, on the local Chevy used car lot, and decided I had to have it. So, I traded for the Vette, and it was fun. In the 70's, I'd get a new car every couple years. That's when they made cars I wanted to buy. But in the 80's, I stopped that. My last new car was an 80 Mustang. After that, I decided to just buy old cars that I like and drive them, which was cheaper and more fun. And I turned my hobby into a job, restoring 55-57 Chevys for a long time. The list of my drivers since 1981 is 55 Chevy, 76 Impala, 72 Impala, 57 Chevy, 77 El Camino, 67 Impala SS, 73 El Camino, 75 Lemans Sport Coupe, and 79 TA. I still have the last 4. I also have a 73 Grand Am with 455 that runs, but it hasn't been a driver.

That 68 truck sounds really nice. I have a friend that's into 60's and early 70's pickups. Myself, I have 73 El Camino for when I need to haul something.

Sorry for high-jacking gto-johnny's thread, but it doesn't look like he's coming back .

[77 TRASHCAN]

I think Johnny got more info than planned!

I've always wondered about dropping an Olds 455 in place of a 403. I'm sure it can be done, the shaker is the only "unknown". I see you have at least one 403 car. I've driven and ridden them. Nothing wrong with the Olds engine, to me.

[Grand73Am]

Yes, I've read of other people putting Olds 455's in them. I believe the 455 Olds has a taller deck, so it must need a custom dropped air cleaner for the shaker to fit.

Yep, all 4 of my 79's are 403 cars with automatic. In 79, all the 403 TA's were autos, which were the vast majority, about 95,000 of them. And there was a limited supply of the last 400's left over from 78(about 8300), and they only came with 4 speeds, and lasted till they ran out. By the way, if you didn't know, 79 was the highest production year by far for Trans Ams in history with over 117,000 built. Next highest was the 78 with 93,300 built.

But, only 2 of my 79's have running 403's. The engines run fine. The main drawback is they came with 2.41 rear ends, which hurts take-off. Cruises the interstate like overdrive though. My other 2 bodies are rollers with no engines. I'm going to put a 455 Pontiac in one of them.

[Aus78Formula]

225's if it's a stock and original display piece, 255 if you want to enjoy driving it. Most don't worry but you can always go a little narrower in the front if you don't like the wider stance there.