Welp, it's about that time where I'm going to have to replace the tires on my Cutlass, the only problem is they don't make the same size anymore.

I've been searching around and it seems BF Goodrich discontinued the 235/70/R14's a few years ago. It looks like my closet option is going to be 225/70's, and I just don't really want to lose the width. I know it isn't a lot, but it can only hurt going from a 235 to a 225. I'm not really interested in going to 15" rally wheels, as 15's are getting hard to come by too.

I haven't been too impressed with the T/A's anyway since I've had them, and was wondering what other people have been using. It'd like to stick with raised white letters, and I know Cooper has one, as does M/T, and Goodyear has the nascar branded tires, but I think those look a little tacky. The mastercraft avengers have terrible reviews.

What are you guys running? Likes/dislikes? Just looking for some imput from a variety of people. Thanks!

 

I've been using BFG T/A's and pretty soon 14's will probably go away. Many choices in 15's though and they will be around for a while.

 

What year Cutlass?

I switched my '68 Cutlass S Convertible to 15" a couple of years ago, I think it looks much better. I have BFG Radial T/A RWL right now on both the '68 and the '87 and they run great on my cars, but when I get new tires for the '68 I am thinking of going to redlines. I think that would look nice. If your car is a '73 or newer, I don't think anything but RWL will look good. I'd suggest a move to 15" wheels though no matter what year.

 

I went with MT Sportsman tires. I also switched to 15" wheels at the same time. My car is also a 68, 255/60 on the rear and 245/60 on the front. Excellent tire and so glad I dumped the 14" wheels.


See my signature.

 

It's a 72 Cutlass. I'm trying to keep all four tires the same size so that I can rotate them.

I really don't have the desire to switch to 15" wheels. I found the correct 14" wheels a couple of years ago, re-did them all and painted 5 to match. I don't want to try and find a set of them in 15" now, and have to go through everything again. Finding nice trim/beauty rings gets tedius/expensive.

 

I don't think anyone sells a 235-70-14 anymore, your going to have to go to a 225-70.

 

Sorry, but I think you are S.O.L. 225/70-14 is going to be your only option. The BFG 235/60 and 245/60 14" tires are much smaller in diameter and in my opinion there's just too much daylight between the tire and the wheel opening with these tires.

 

I agree the 235/60 or 234/60 look small, but wouldn't they be better for cornering/driving because they are wider?

 

That is the exact reason I used them for the last 25 years - short sidewall for better handling and wider tread for better traction. An added performance plus is the short tire makes for a lower overall effective gear ratio for better acceleration. I don't like the 70 series tires as they are way, way too skinny to provide any traction, plus they look funny when viewed from behind in those huge wheel wells.

I went through the same thing back in the early '90s with restoring the original 14" SSII wheels, but I wanted to move to 15" wheels so I kept my eyes open and finally stumbled across a full set of 15" SSIIIs with all the trim in good condition. I just completed stripping them, repainting body color, and installing new 245-60s and no one has even noticed that the car has 15s on it now.

 

the 245/60/14 are 8 inch wide tread and 25.60 tall $158each
the 225/70/14 are 7.5 wide tread 26.50 tall $138each
from summit racing in bf goodrich flavor
not many 14 inch tires to choose from these days

I ditched my 14 inch wheels and now run 255/60/15 mickey thompsons on all 4 corners on 2 of my cars
i found sets of 5 15 inch rallys for $40 (eight bucks each) on local craigslist

 

The BFG info I have seen online doesn't show tread width, but my BFG 245-60-14s measure 8.75"tread width.

 

Hey JPC

There is a set of 15" ss3s on nh cl w trim rings, and Ctr caps and rims$250. If the MTs or BFGs aren't for you try any of the local tire stores they usually have a house brand and may be able to get 14s for you

 

Product Line: BFGoodrich Radial T/A Tires
Summit Racing Part Number: BFG-96965


Tire Size: 245/60-14
Wheel Diameter: 14 in.
Sidewall Style: Solid white letters
Tire Construction: Radial
Tire Diameter: 25.60 in.
Section Width: 9.80 in.
Tread Width: 8.00 in.
Minimum Recommended Wheel Width: 7.00 in.
Maximum Recommended Wheel Width: 8.50 in.
Directional: No
Speed Rating: S
Load Range: 98
Asymmetrical Tread Pattern: No
UTQG Tread Wear Rating: 400
Traction Rating: A
Temperature Rating: B
Tread Depth: 11/32 in.
DOT-Approved: Yes
Tube Required: No

 

Five 15x7 and one 14x7
$75 takes all


http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/an...539374847.html

 

So all the 15" Rally wheels (SSIII) are snap/twist on center caps?

Thanks for the posted links guys.

 

No. They are not. In 1974 the 15" SS 111 utilized a bolt on cap.

 

I recently bought new BFG 225/70-14 for my 71 SX, and while they look good from the side, I was disappointed to find out they were 3/4 of an inch narrower than the same size in my old GY Eagles STs, not too happy about that. You would think a size is a size, but not so. I will be ordering tires for my 71 442 and was wondering about the 245/60 14s. From what is indicated above, the 60s are slightly smaller in overall diameter than the 70s. For anyone with the 60s, do you find the smaller diameter is much of a noticeable issue for looks when viewing from the side? The wider tread must look "beefier". For several reasons, I wouldn't consider 15s with the SS11/111 wheels.
Joe, you for one think the 60s are too small looking. Others?

 

Here are a few pics of my car with 245-60-14s:





P2250121.jpg

AllOldsCarShow2004.jpg

71Cutlass4.jpg




This was right before I put the new 15" wheels and tires on. The rear tires are nearly bald (how'd that happen? ) but you can see how wide they are. As I posted above, I measured them a couple nights ago and the dirty part of the tread (where it contacted the road) measured about 8.75 inches. Also note the even tread wear, indicating that this width tire works fine on a 7" wheel.

IMG_1047_zps0f4a4e7e.jpg

 

Thanks for the pictures. Your car looks great. I've got some time as the 442 just went to the body shop. I'm really torn on which way to go. As with alot of things, there are comprises to consider.

 

Hey Brian
the tires in these pics are 245/60/14
if you car sits low they look ok and work well
on my car with new springs that sits higher they just did not look right
way too much daylight in the wheel opening

 

That's a good point about the springs. I have a bit shorter springs on my car - Moog 5536 up front and 5409 in back - effectively FE2 suspension springs. According to the specs they have 1" shorter ride height than the typical Cutlass and 'vert springs. The front of my car sat the same height with the new springs as it did with the 40+ year old saggy original springs, so with "correct" springs it would sit a bit higher and the gap would be larger.

 

i may have to take the springs out of my convert that the PST people sold me
thanks for posting the moog spring numbers

my car sits WAY to high and even with 255/60/15 tires ain't right

 

Those springs are a higher rate and shorter height than the regular Cutlass/vert springs, so it may affect the ride quality. I found it much firmer than my 40+ year old springs (duh) but I was trying for better handling. I think I achieved that, and the ride is still good - firm without being harsh, so it still feels comfortable.

Below are some front spring specs I was comparing when looking for springs. i have rear spring info in a spreadsheet somewhere. If you're interested I can look for it.

> 5390 small block - no AC
> wire diameter = 0.650"
> load height = 11.000"
> load = 1952 pounds
> rate per inch = 336 pounds
> free height = 16.808"
>
> 5382 big block - no AC, small block - AC
> wire diameter = 0.660"
> load height = 11.000"
> load = 2066 pounds
> rate per inch = 360 pounds
> free height = 16.724"
>
> 5400 big block - AC
> wire diameter = 0.660"
> load height = 11.000"
> load = 2167 pounds
> rate per inch = 360 pounds
> free height = 17.004"
>
> 5536 442 small block - AC - heavy duty, 442 big block - no AC - heavy duty
> wire diameter = 0.690"
> load height = 11.000"
> load = 1984 pounds
> rate per inch = 488 pounds
> free height = 15.063"
>
> 5450 small block - AC - heavy duty, big block - no AC - heavy duty, -442 big block - AC - heavy duty
> wire diameter = 0.690"
> load height = 12.000"
> load = 1642 pounds
> rate per inch = 454 pounds
> free height = 15.616"

 

Well then those are what I would want. So now I'm looking for a 2 year only wheel, or sticking with 14" wheels.

 

The 15" SSII/III wheels with bolt in centers were offered in both the 1973 and 1974 model years (and 1969 if you count the 1969 H/O).

 

What did the car leave the factory with?.
Of course wider lower profile tires give improved roadholding, handling and dry road grip, but normally at the expense of ride quality.
Is grip or looks that important for you?, I have no quarrel with the many who prefer wider lower profile tires with fancy wheels. Well ok, donks I find a turn off.
But I like the soft ride my American cars give me, and it keeps the car original. I don't have any ambition to throw them round corners either, plenty of home grown cars will run rings round Americas Finest when the going gets twisty.


Roger.

 

Mine with 225/70R14 BFGs:

http://cutlass.onderka.com/bilder.php

To me they also look a tad taller in their natural surrounding than the 245/60s...

 

Do you have any pictures straight on of the side?


I feel like this is the only picture in which the back tires look a little "small" for the openings. The other pictures looked great. I just can't tell if it's the uneven gravel or what. I'll have to climb under my car and check my springs and so forth tomorrow, and compare what they are to the list provided above.




But the difference between to 225/70 and the 245 60 is probably 1/2 of an inch on each tire. How much difference is the 60 series tires going to make? An inch front and back could make a difference.


I would guess not a lot. I mean I have all the factory sway bars and etc, and the car will only navigate a on ramp about 50ish. Anymore and It's wanting to 'drift', and with a stock rebuilt 72 350, there's not enough juice behind it to kick the as* end out and keep them spinning around the ramp.

It'd rather have a slightly stiffer ride, if it meant that the car would handle better, I just don't know that it actually would. The car has factory-ish replacement suspension, I'm guessing for a standard Cutlass "s, but will check, and it's a soft ride, especially by todays standards.


I mean I'm not expecting a 40 year old car with ancient tech to keep up with my Genesis Coupe in the twisties, but if a small, but noticeable difference can be had from moving from the 225/70's to the 245/60's well then the old girl can use all the help she can get.

 

This thread is great, I'm just at the point of putting tires on my 70 cutlass convertible, was thinking of running 245/60/14 on back and 225/65/14 on front. Any feedback on this?

 

I am running 245/60/14's on rear and 235/60/14's on front of my 72 Vista, fills the wheelwells nice, and has just a little stagger....good luck choosing.

 

Go to a judged show and notice how enormous G70-14s look on a '70-'72 Cutlass/442. Those really fill the wheelwell. G70 was standard on the '68 Hurst Olds while the 442 had F70. The 225-70/14 is a trifle shorter than a G70 but its all you can get. The 245-60 15 is almost as tall as a G70 but not quite.