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New rubber for my vintage 14x6 Appliance mesh wheels
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Author:  SurferD [ Sun Aug 31, 2014 8:06 pm ]
Post subject:  New rubber for my vintage 14x6 Appliance mesh wheels
I finally broke down and ordered new tires after over a year of procrastinating.
I got the wheels for free and had the corrosion/dirt bead blasted.
I painted the inner rough cast mesh areas black because I hate cleaning complicated wheels.
The inner part and bead areas I painted silver but left the faces with the bare blast finish.
They were originally highly polished but I like the blasted look and I can always polish them out if I get sick of it.
I clear coated all surfaces and got 90 degree valve stems and now I'm set for tires.

I was really on the fence about sizing.
The stock size as you all know is 175R14. The crappy tires I have now are 185/75.
The slightly lower profile stock size is 195/70.
I definitely wanted wider for looks and handling.
There aren't too many manufacturers still making 14" tires.
In fact the only one I could find was BFGoodrich, T/A Radial.

I had planned on getting 215/60 but they're not quite right.
I used this calculator http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
I came up with 225/60 as the most exact circumference 60 series tire.
According to the specs it will fit from a 6-8" width rim so I 'm within limits.
The 215's are $10 more per tire so as long as the 225's work that's better.
What's 10mm between friends anyway?
Plus Aug-Sept 2104 you get a $50 gift card rebate from BFG.
I just hope they're not too big looking.
Author:  Frank T [ Sun Aug 31, 2014 8:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New rubber for my vintage 14x6 Appliance mesh wheels
["There aren't too many manufacturers still making 14" tires"]. Quite right.

I had the same problem. Ended up with BFGs in 205/70 R14. They work well for me and don't rub anywhere. Speedo is accurate enough for government work.
Author:  SurferD [ Wed Sep 03, 2014 9:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New rubber for my vintage 14x6 Appliance mesh wheels
With that size you're speedo's reading 2.2% slow.
I dropped off the wheels/tires today to be mounted at Over The Edge automotive in Orange, CT.
Jim the owner is a huge Chrysler product junkie.
He specializes in collecting old police cars.
I saw the 72 Road Runner 440 he just got today and it's sweet.
Anyway he has one of the only balancing machines around that does road force.
I highly recommend the shop for all types of work if you can't do it yourself.
So unfortunately the new shocks won't be in the Z for the show but the shoes will be new.
Author:  SurferD [ Fri Sep 05, 2014 9:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New rubber for my vintage 14x6 Appliance mesh wheels
Got them on the Z and they look sweet.
Gives the car an classy aggressive look.
I think they're just the right size without being too big.
I still need to find two more "A" centercaps.
In the last picture you can see the skinny tires I had on the stock wheels.
Image
Image
Image
Author:  FM6 [ Fri Sep 05, 2014 11:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New rubber for my vintage 14x6 Appliance mesh wheels
Those tires look great . . . definitely not too big . . . did they improve the ride some ? ?
Author:  SurferD [ Sat Sep 06, 2014 6:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: New rubber for my vintage 14x6 Appliance mesh wheels
FM6 wrote:
Those tires look great . . . definitely not too big . . . did they improve the ride some ? ?

For sure, while my shocks damping powers are non existant the tires totally tightened up the ride.
When I get the shocks in it will be a different car.
Author:  Frank T [ Sat Sep 06, 2014 9:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: New rubber for my vintage 14x6 Appliance mesh wheels
I like the new stance.
You're rebuilding this car from the ground, up, the way it should be done. :thumbs_up:

I do hope you bring it to the show exactly as it is now. Don't remove any pine needles or leaves or spiderwebs. You'll get LOT of admiration for it ~ trust me.
Author:  SurferD [ Sat Sep 06, 2014 9:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: New rubber for my vintage 14x6 Appliance mesh wheels
Frank T wrote:
I like the new stance.
You're rebuilding this car from the ground, up, the way it should be done. :thumbs_up:

I do hope you bring it to the show exactly as it is now. Don't remove any pine needles or leaves or spiderwebs. You'll get LOT of admiration for it ~ trust me.

It's in the booth now getting fresh paint.
Oh wait that was in my dreams.
Nah it's going as is.
Mechanicals first cosmetics later, way later.
Author:  porkbun [ Sat Sep 06, 2014 5:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New rubber for my vintage 14x6 Appliance mesh wheels
Dont know if your Zs going to see any moisture but any idea how the BFGs handle in the rain? My cooper cobras feel like im driving on ice if it rains. Low speed drifting everywhere :mrgreen:
Author:  SurferD [ Sat Sep 06, 2014 6:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New rubber for my vintage 14x6 Appliance mesh wheels
porkbun wrote:
Dont know if your Zs going to see any moisture but any idea how the BFGs handle in the rain? My cooper cobras feel like im driving on ice if it rains. Low speed drifting everywhere :mrgreen:

Most likely I won't drive if it's going to rain.
I only drove around the block to test them.
They're supposed to be all season but who knows.
Author:  Frank T [ Sat Sep 06, 2014 6:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New rubber for my vintage 14x6 Appliance mesh wheels
My BFGs handle well in the wet, altho that is an UNPLANNED event when it happens. I no longer enjoy driving my 1970 Z in the rain, even tho I drove it thru all types of weather when I first owned it.
Of course, I have nearly 15 times more invested in it today than I had back in the '70s and '80s.

Let's park our Zs together tmrw?
Author:  SurferD [ Sat Sep 06, 2014 7:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New rubber for my vintage 14x6 Appliance mesh wheels
Frank T wrote:
My BFGs handle well in the wet, altho that is an UNPLANNED event when it happens. I no longer enjoy driving my 1970 Z in the rain, even tho I drove it thru all types of weather when I first owned it.
Of course, I have nearly 15 times more invested in it today than I had back in the '70s and '80s.

Let's park our Zs together tmrw?

Yea I would definitely have a wet rear passenger seat area in the rain.
I assume it was your daily driver back in the day so you really didn't have a choice about the weather.
I'll try to park where you are depending on when I get there.
I'm planning on leaving Orange around 08:15.
Author:  Frank T [ Sat Sep 06, 2014 7:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New rubber for my vintage 14x6 Appliance mesh wheels
[".....I assume it was your daily driver..."]

Yup, it was my sole transportation for nearly 13 years, 365 days a year.
Author:  porkbun [ Sun Sep 07, 2014 5:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New rubber for my vintage 14x6 Appliance mesh wheels
Frank T wrote:
[".....I assume it was your daily driver..."]

Yup, it was my sole transportation for nearly 13 years, 365 days a year.

Daphnes been doing the same for about a year now. Ill feel a lot better about it when I take off all the old undercoating and get the epoxy primer underneath the car. Not sure if its because my tires are so wide or if its just because its not a great tire but it was a little sketchy the first time the rear snapped back and the first time I felt the steering get very light going into a turn :shock: Ill probably end up with the BFG's
Author:  Frank T [ Sun Sep 07, 2014 6:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New rubber for my vintage 14x6 Appliance mesh wheels
BFGs are not a horribly expensive tire, but they do OK. Good grip in wet or dry and they don't wear quickly (like the really tacky tires do. I've had a set of Goodyar Eagles simply disappear in less than a full year on another car).

I have no experience with Hankook, but I hear a lot about them and racecourses name their bridges and corners after them.

They're popular for some reason ~ you might want to explore why before making a decision.
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