205 X 55s on 8" Wheels?

Mike O'Meara · Mike O'Meara's Garage

Of course, I'd like to go with 225 X 50s (RS Flares on a 72) but the tires are quite new and they don't come in 225 width, so I'd like to use the 205s until I really need new tires. Are 8"s to much wheel for 205s? The tires are Goodyear F1 Steel.

87coupe · 87coupe's Garage

Do they make any higher profile sizes to compensate for the amount of stretch a 205 on 8 combo has?

Mike O'Meara · Mike O'Meara's Garage

Nope, it's either run them on the 8"s or buy 4 new tires in a brand that offers 205/55 for the front and 225/50 for the rear. I'd rather not mix brands front to rear.

masraum · 09-06-2005, 08:55 PM

I think 8's are going to be too wide for those tires, let me check a couple of tire manuf web sites.

Are you talking about 15" wheels or 16"s. THat'll probably make a difference.

87coupe · 87coupe's Garage

Here's a pic of 205/40/16 on 8's (closest I could find), quite a bit of stretch if you ask me. Don't think you would want to run them that way on the track, or any agressive street driving.

masraum · 09-06-2005, 09:03 PM

I checked the dunlop website and the bridgestone website. Both list 7.5" as the max rim width for either a 205 55 16 or 205 55 15. You could probably get them on the rim, but I wouldn't.

masraum · 09-06-2005, 09:08 PM

Weird, actually for the 205 40 16 Bridgestone says you could use a 7-8" rim.

obrut · 09-06-2005, 11:30 PM

i used 205/55/15 on both 15x7 F and 15x8 R on my race car due to a classing issue. fitted great - car handled great.

PcarPhil · 09-07-2005, 03:58 AM

Look at my posts mid-way down the page in the following thread:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?threadid=233347

I'd say do it and post pics! If I keep my 8's I'm going to run 205/50/16's or 215/45/16's on all 4 corners of my '71.

-Kaefer

Mike O'Meara · Mike O'Meara's Garage

Thanks, I talked to a Bridgestone/Firestone mechanic and he'd never seen it done. He suggested mounting just one and deciding from there. He raved about the Goodyear F1s I have (he had 'em on a 'Vette until he bought Bridgestones at a bargain and regretted losing the F1s), but I'm not all that impressed. Come back, come back RE71s! I will just mount them for now (car won't be back on the road until spring anyway) By then I may try to sell the tires and get a set of 205/55s and 225/50s. Which brand? I'll be hitting the search function to decide.