kane

i have a 1969 olds ninety eight, car has been painted before i got it, there is no stickers to tell me the proper tire size of this car, i have no owners manual either, want to buy new tires and rims, on the car now is L-78/15, car seems to sit low in the back and it also has the rear wheel skirts, it seems to be hard to find the proper size for these older cars, if someone can help it would be great, want to know if 225/70/15 mickey thompson's would be o.k, they are an inch smaller in height then whats on there now, the closet to the L-78/15 would be 225/75/15 or 235/75/15 but don't know the clearance, and also its hard to find a nice tire at that size for a car, lots for trucks and suvs, thanks in advance..

jaunty75

Go here:

http://clubs.hemmings.com/clubsites/...conversion.htm

My guess is that you will want P235/75R15.

oldcutlass

The L78-15 has an overall diameter of 29.3 inches It was a bias ply. so a P235-75R-15 or a P255-70R15 would work!! All the tire manufacturers have these sizes readily available. If your looking for the vintage look then Coker or any of the the specialty tire places can help you.

jaunty75

I happen to have P235/75R15 tires on my '73 Custom Cruiser. I bought them new last summer. They are Mastercraft A/S IV WS 105 tires. Here's a photo of one of them on the car. They have the thin white sidewall, and I think they look very period correct on the car.

MDchanic

But remember, Kane, Jaunty's car is an A-body and yours is a B-body, so you will probably want a larger tire.

This chart may also be helpful.

Other tires I've found in whitewall in our size range are Hankook H725 and Kumho Solus KR21.

- Eric

jaunty75

What? A '73 Custom Cruiser is an A-body? I don't think so. It's built off of the 98 platform. I think those were C-bodies.

kane

want to put an alloy rim with a sporty look, sugested to put a 15x7 with a mickey thompson 225/70/15, but it's 1" shorter then the old 78's would that be a problem, i know it would change spedometer, would like to put 235/75/15 but not sure on clearance with the rear skirts, does anyone have a ninety eight with 235's on..

MDchanic

Ooops. I thought you had one of them Vista Cruisers. Wasn't paying attention.

And, yes, I'll be in the market for 235/75x15's or 235/70x15's myself soon for my Delta.

- Eric

ps: What do you think of those Mastercrafts? I've been leaning toward the Kumho Solus, but it costs more, and I'm open to suggestions.
Also, do you have any strong feelings on 75 vs 70 series? I've preferred 70's since the '70's, but maybe it just doesn't matter...

jaunty75

I've been very happy with the Mastercrafts. The car rides and drives just fine, and it's not like I'm looking for great mileage out of them. The car will be driven maybe 1000 to 2000 miles per year. At that rate, it'll take at least 20 years to reach 40,000 miles. They'll need to be replaced due to dry rot long before they would ever reach the mileage they're guaranteed for.

1969w3155

You should have no problem with that tire, the skirt won't interfere.

kane

which one the 235/75/15 or the 225/70/15,

1969w3155

The 235/75/15.

liquidpower

yeah i have a 1970 98 with 235/75/15 most tires you find in that size are truck tires so look before you buy