[Healeys] (no subject)

Tue May 6 12:41:26 MDT 2025

So the right size, based on the standard 165/80-15, would be 185/70-15. Some go lower on the aspect ratio, only to shorten their gearing and wind up with tires that don’t properly fill the wheel wells. Which is just what the former owner of my BN7 did—one of many corrections I had to make …

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On Tuesday, May 6, 2025, 2:35 PM, JSARCH via Healeys <healeys at autox.team.net> wrote:

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Mitchell,

Coker Tire states on their website a rim width of 5” to 6.5” for the Michelin XAS 180HR15 89H. Great tire, I just installed them for a second time last May.

https://cokertire.com/tires/michelin-xas-180hr15-89h.html

’62 BT7

John

From: Healeys <healeys-bounces at autox.team.net> On Behalf Of Harold Manifold
Sent: Tuesday, May 6, 2025 8:53 AM
To: gradea1 at charter.net
Cc: healeys at autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [Healeys] (no subject)

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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