[Healeys] (no subject)

Tue May 6 16:14:31 MDT 2025

My personal opinion is the sidewall is too narrow and OD too small on a 65
or 70 series tires.

If you are not familiar with the calculation. The section height is the
height of the tire measured from the rim to the outer edge of the tire; the
section width is the width from sidewall to sidewall. A tire with the code
xxx/65 indicates that the section height of the tire is 65% of its width.
For example, for a tire with code 200/65, the section height is 200 × 65% =
130 mm. If no aspect ratio is stated then the default is usually 80.

The Michelin XAS 180 HR 15 calcultes to an 85 series tire and the original
Road Speed RS5 5.90H15 calcultes to an 86 series tire. Once the tire is
larger than 180 the lower aspect ratio is needed to prevent rubbing.

Not everyone agrees with me but I think Healeys look best with 80 series or
better tires.

Harold

On Tue, May 6, 2025 at 2:49 PM Stephen Hutchings <s.hutchings at rogers.com>
wrote:

> Harold, that chart is really useful.
> What I’m wondering, is if you opt for the 165 15 size- what height ratio
> works best?
> I mean, some of the brands like Continental have a specification like 165
> 65 15.
> I noticed that you said you find the Vredestein Classic 185/70 HR 15 look
> out of place…so you find the 70 height ratio too small?
> I don’t want any rubbing.
>
> Stephen BJ8
>
> On May 6, 2025, at 11:52 AM, Harold Manifold <manifold at telus.net> wrote:
>
> 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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