[Healeys] (no subject)

[Harold Manifold]

Mitchell,

Tires are a somewhat contentious issue in the Healey world. I do have a
background in the automotive world and started with the basics to pick a
tire. Originally my car had 4" wide rims which limited the tire choice to a
165 HR 15. I upgraded to 4.5" wide rims which opens up a number of
possibilities. The second consideration is to match the sidewall height of
the original tires for a couple of reasons. The profile of the wheel well
on our Healey is basically the same for all models. The tires should have
an OD close to the original Roadspeed 5.90H15 to maintain the right look.
Another consideration is the tire is a part of the suspension system and
the sidewall of the tire influences the ride. A lower sidewall tends to
produce a stiffer and harsher ride.

I chose the Michelin XAS 180 HR 15 and am very happy with the look, ride
and performance. If your BJ8 is a phase 2 with the raised suspension in my
opinion the 165 HR 15 has too small a diameter and doesn't look at home
within the wheel well profile. For the same reason I think the 185/70HR15
profile tires look out of place as well.

For comparison this is the table I put together to help pick out tires. All
of these will fit a 4.5" - 5" wide rim. The wider tires could have
clearance issues but reports are they do fit.

Tire Size  Inflated Diameter   Inflated Width
Road Speed RS5 5.90H15                    26.0                  6.4
Michelin XAS  165 HR 15                    25.4                  6.6
Michelin XAS  180 HR 15                    26.8                  6.9
Vredestein Sprint Classic 165HR15                    25.4
6.6
Vredestein Sprint Classic 185HR15                    26.7
7.4
Vredestein Sprint Classic 185/70HR15                    25.2
7.4

Hope this helps. The list has been quiet for a while so maybe this post
will start a tire controversy!

Harold



On Mon, May 5, 2025 at 6:34 PM Hank Leach via Healeys <
healeys at autox.team.net> wrote:

> I use that tire on my BJ8 as it is closest to the original bias 590s. The
> 180 may affect your speedometer reading and could rub the sidelight wires
> but many use that size no matter. Anything bigger for sure will rub. Here
> is the look of the 165 with 60s in the the wheel well. Hank
> --------------------
>
> From: "Mitch Simmons" <simmonsmitch23 at gmail.com>
> To: <healeys at autox.team.net>
> Sent: May 5, 2025 at 4:50 PM PDT
> Subject: [Healeys] (no subject)
> Hello,
> anyone have recent experience with .....Michelin XZX 165SR15 tires? I am
> considering them on my 66 BJ8......LMK....I have Dayton 60 spoke
> rims......Also considering Michelin XAS 180HR15...BUT not sure they will
> work with 4.5 inch wide rims (any experience with those would be
> appreciated ..as well
>
> Thanks
> Mitchell
>
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