Conestoga Forum

i've been look'n for some 15" wheels and a buddy of my dad just gave me a set of stock wheels off his 56 hawk. they look kind'a deep but i hope they fit with the skirts on.

so anyway... just would like to know what size of tires you are all run'n.

I've got 205/70x15 in the front. They're kinda tall. With the disc brake install and the Halibrand (copy) wheel, it puts the tire/wheel kinda close to the fender lip. I may try a 205/60 and see what that looks like. I've got a set on my 2dr wagon 60 Lark.

The rear's got 235/70x15 on a Halibrand (alum. copy) wheel. I was going to go to the 255/70 but chickened out. Now I see that there "is" room for a 29"dia, 11" cross section tire though, like the 255/70. The 235 is 28"tall with a 7 3/4" tread, about 10" cross section. The wheel is 8 1/2" wide.
I picked up a real (magnesium) pair of Halibrands to mount a set of Cokers old (looking) slicks.

I've cheated a little though. You can't put that tire inside that fender with the stock leaf spring in place. I've put a Winters Quick Change axle with coilover shocks. That opened up the whole stock wheel tub for tire.

A lot of trial and error but now that it's bout done, I'm glad I did it.

Well, just started it after 6 mo. or so of rear end swap time. Let it run a while to help break (?) in all the gears and bed in at least the rear brake pads. And yes, the gears are noisy!
Cool.....

thanks, mike!
i was dig'n in dad's barn and found the original wheels and hubcaps! think i'm going to put those on for a while with some fresh rubber. 205/70x15 & 235/70x15 sound good. IF they fit with the skirts....

i dropped her off today at the glass shop. i'll be clean'n up the cap & wheels in the meantime.

mike! send me yo photo and info for the registry page!

webmaster@conestoga.brizbomb.com

thanks

I read that the old '54 wheels will begin cracking in the centers, using radial rubber, as these rims were not as strong as later Ford type 5 1/2" wheels (Avanti style).

You may want to be careful cornering as the radials are stickier and have a lower slip angle than the original equipment bias belted tires. Also later rims were made of thicker metal.

This problem is exasperated by the use of wild eng/trans combos, sway bars, and higher speeds.

This should not be a problem for those who have original cars with original eng/trans and bias belted tires.

Good luck...

so i found the original wheels and caps in dads barn and this week i mount & balanced new tires. Pirelli P215/70R-15 in back and P185/65R-15 in front. man... drives great now! kinda small i know but the skirts fit! more on skirts later with photo....

thanks for your guys help!