[Red Box Rebel]

I have just purchased a set of 15x7 Rally IIs with a 4” back space.
I want to know if the Diamond Back Red Lines are a decent tire for handling and long distance driving.
Will the 225/70R15 tires fit in the front and rear wheel wells of a ‘68 GTO with a disc drum setup.
Is it better to go with the 215/70R15 tires?

[dhcarguy]

I bought Diamond Back tires years ago. (14") They took new "Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 " tires. they removed any numbers and letters off the Back side of the tires and then vulcanized the red line on them. I only have about 10,000 miles on them, but they have been great, nice handling and ride feel.
Not sure if that's the way they still make them. Give them a call and if so, you can get what ever tire you want.

Dave

['ol Pinion head]

225/7015's, my experience won't clear in the front on a '68. Several factors, a '68 ordered with ride & handling pkg is going to set up higher, by nearly an 1", when compared to standard ride height same model.

[John Milner]

Agree with Roger. I tried 225/70/15's on 15x7 Rally 2's on the front of my 69 GTO once with stock replacement springs and stock disc brakes and the tire would rub the lower portion of the fender when turning. If running 15's, would recommend going with 215/70's.

[Red Box Rebel]

Thanks Guys. Better to know now before investing $265+ per tire.

[oldman66gto]

Originally Posted by John Milner

Agree with Roger. I tried 225/70/15's on 15x7 Rally 2's on the front of my 69 GTO once with stock replacement springs and stock disc brakes and the tire would rub the lower portion of the fender when turning. If running 15's, would recommend going with 215/70's.

Hi,
I have a set of 215/70R 15's BFG Radial T/A's RWL on American Torque Thrust Wheels, & they rub the edge of the fender when turning. These are on my new to me '66 GTO.
Other than buying a new set of smaller tires, is there a recommedation?

Note, had the tires & wheels swapped from the '66 Rally wheels & red line tires to these tires & wheels, which were on a '67 GTO. Why, because that's what I had as a 20 year old with the same car. Now reliving my youth, through my old age!

Thanks for any help & recommendations! and you can tease if you want to, as I'm too old to care anymore! Have a great day!
Allan

[The Champ]

oldman

I think your problem with the Torque Thrust wheels is the backspacing. I'm guessing, but I think you have 15x7's that only have 3.75" BS on those rims.

Back in the day, the 7.75x14 OE tires were much skinnier and 3.75" BS would work. Today, the wider radial tires need more like 4.00 - 4.25" BS for a 7" wide wheel.

Why they didn't rub on the '67? There could be many reasons. Your front springs may not provide the same ride height as the one's in that '67 - a fraction of an inch could make all the difference.

You could try putting a spacer under your front coils to gain a little ride height if you want to run those rims and those tires on your car.

I have run 3 different tire sizes on my '64 - 205/75/14's, 235/60/15's and 215/55/17's. I can't remember the BS on the 14" factory 6" rims, but my 15x7's were 4.25" and the 17's are 4.625" BS.

No teasing from me, I'm an old guy too! I've owned my GTO for 33 years and still running poverty caps on black steel wheels - same poverty caps fit on the 14's, 15's and 17's...

[oldman66gto]

Originally Posted by The Champ

oldman

I think your problem with the Torque Thrust wheels is the backspacing. I'm guessing, but I think you have 15x7's that only have 3.75" BS on those rims.

Back in the day, the 7.75x14 OE tires were much skinnier and 3.75" BS would work. Today, the wider radial tires need more like 4.00 - 4.25" BS for a 7" wide wheel.

Why they didn't rub on the '67? There could be many reasons. Your front springs may not provide the same ride height as the one's in that '67 - a fraction of an inch could make all the difference.

You could try putting a spacer under your front coils to gain a little ride height if you want to run those rims and those tires on your car.

I have run 3 different tire sizes on my '64 - 205/75/14's, 235/60/15's and 215/55/17's. I can't remember the BS on the 14" factory 6" rims, but my 15x7's were 4.25" and the 17's are 4.625" BS.

No teasing from me, I'm an old guy too! I've owned my GTO for 33 years and still running poverty caps on black steel wheels - same poverty caps fit on the 14's, 15's and 17's...

Hi, & Thanks,
Not to sound stupid, but I haven't fooled with classic cars in about 30 years and times do change, so I have a couple of questions.

1) Due to the backspacing measurment, will I need to change wheels?

2) I'm guessing I would need to change tire size (tires are essentially new), and if so, do you have a recommendation?

3) Will I wind up having to change both tires and wheels??

4) Any other recommendations?

Man, I love those tires/wheels on that car....... But I guess ya gotta do what ya gotta do!

Thanks for any insight, recommendations, or changes!

Geez, this little investment is gonna get expensive fast!

[The Champ]

oldman

If you really like those wheels, I'd change out the front tires to a pair of 215/65/15 BFG's. Those would be about 1" shorter in diameter and give you an extra half inch of clearance.

The 215/70/15's are 26.9", the 215/65/15's are 26".

I forgot that my first set of redline tires were 215/65/15's on my '64...

215/70/15's in almost new condition should be fairly easy to sell.