Looking to get 215/70/14 redline tires from diamond back for my 65 442. There are two options, DB I ($229), and DB III ($279). When I called they said the difference is the DB I is a manufacturer from the far east, and DB III are BF Goodrich TA's made in Mexico. Both have no markings on the side other than the redline (BF TA's also have the size stamped).

Both come with the same warranty. Apparently the tread is a little different.

Anyone have experience seeing both of these? Is the extra $200 for the BF TA's worth it?

DB I

dbtires.com/product/diamond-back-i/

DB III

dbtires.com/product/diamond-back-iii/

 

A friend of mine got the BFG versions for his car. He's very happy with them.

Having said that, why aren't you just getting the BFG Silvertown Redlines from Coker for $25 less per tire. Same BFG tread, no secondary manufacturing process to put the redline on it. And if these are going on an A-body, I'd recommend the 225/70-14s.

 

Hi Joe,

Thanks for the reply. I heard the Coker BFG's don't look so hot as they have the BF Goodrich lettering on the side. Maybe not a big deal, not sure but a few on other forums have stated to stay away from them.

As for Size, I currently have 215/70/14 Goodyears (20 years old). The stance is nice. The 225/70/14 are about 1/2 inch larger diameter, so it will raise the car a bit, and I don't like these cars when they sit too high. Plus I've heard from numerous people the 225's will rub in the front when the wheel is turned all the way. The extra width is nice, but it's only 6.4 to 6.7 inches.

More comments welcome.

 

Half an inch larger diameter will raise the car 1/4", and actually less than that due to sidewall flex. The lettering is the usual black molded script, You can barely see it.

As for 225/70-14s rubbing, the 1965 cars were available from the factory with 7.75 x 15 tires under RPO P27 and P28. That tire size was 27.24" in diameter with a section width of 7.65" when mounted on a 5.5" wide wheel.
The original tires on a 1965 442 were 7.75 x 14s which were 26.70" in diameter with a 7.75" section width.
225/70-14s are 26.4" in diameter with a section width of 8.86".
215/70-14s are 25.85" in diameter with a section width of 8.46".

Anecdotal information that a particular tire rubbed is meaningless unless you also know the wheel offset used and whether or not that car had a disc brake conversion that pushed the wheels outboard.

 

Thanks Joe,

The car does have Disc brakes in the front (GM), and has the 1971 SS1 wheels to fit the disc brakes. Not sure if this has an effect on the position of the tire in comparison with 65 stock brakes and wheels.

 

The disc brakes push the wheel mounting surface outboard by about 1/2" - 3/4". OEM 14x7 SSI wheels will have zero offset, which is good. Aftermarket wheels will be up to the vendor and may or may not match OEM. My point was that if you are basing your decision on someone else claiming they had rubbing, do you know what THAT car was using for wheel offset and width, was it lowered or not, etc, etc.

 

For three years now I have had Coker BFG Silvertown 215/70R14 Red Lines mounted on 14X7 steel rims and I like the stance of my car. Best ride I have had and I like the stance. Red Lines look great with my red vert. Many compliments.

Wayne

 

Thanks for the replies. I was thinking maybe going with 215/70/14 in front, and maybe 245/60/14 in rear to get more width in the rear. The 215's are just 1/4" in taller (25.9 vs 25.6), but the 245's are over an inch wider, (8.5 vs 9.6) and the sidewall heights are nearly the same (5.9 vs 5.8). So from the side they should look nearly the same, but from the rear the 245's will be more proportional with the wheel well.

 

craig442, did you go Diamond Back's? Which one? I'm deciding between those and Coker Silvertown's. Tough call. 225/70R14 redlines are the same price for DBIII's and the Silvertown's.

 

I actually decided to go with Coker Wide Oval redlines. Similar look to the original tires but wider and radials.

 

I talked to Bill at Diamond Back. He said that the Coker BFG Silvertown redlines are built under license by Specialty Tire at the former McCreary Tire factory in Indiana PA. I asked him about the balancing challenges I've seen on multiple web sites, and he said that their uniformity issues stem from using old equipment. That said, the rubber on Wayne's '66 looks sweet!

Bill recommended the DB SS (Street Steel) over the DBIII BFG Radial T/A, especially for a more 60's tread pattern. And I sure don't need an M&S rating. Starting tires for the SS's come from Singapore, and the T/A's from Mexico.