on my '72, 2 door, 200ci, non a/c; I have 14'' stock wheels. I am getting more and more confused on what size tire it originally came with verses what is on there now and what are my options. I am also finding different interpretations what is the modern version for 6.45-14 tires :-( So: What was stock and what did it come with originally? Currently on there: 185/75/14 What are my options? How do I tell tell if I have 14x4.5 wheels? Without taking the tire off? I would like to have a little wider tire if possible and have my rear slightly higher than the front with stock suspension. I was hoping to accomplish this with just the tires if possible, unless there is an easier way to raise the rear. This is will be just a fun driver in the summer. Thanks in advance
Try looking at these. https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/45_conversionchart.jsp https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc?tires=245-70r16-265-75r16 I’m using the tire calculator to decide what tires I will run on my Comet.
Thanks BBMS. I have looked at those sites and many others. Some sites list size a or b 6.45-14 and then another web site list c and d etc.
If you’re happy with the 185/75-14 that you have on the front now then just input taller/wider sizes until you get the size that will “raise” the rear the amount you’re looking for. For example: Just keep in mind that a tire that’s 2” overall taller will only “rase” the rear 1”, and the taller tire will make your little 6 cyl seem less powerful.
Stop by your local tire shop, they should have a tool for measuring the width of your wheel, it can be done while still on the car.
Not sure if I am happy with what is one there. I have not driven the car since I bought, it but hoping to do so this summer. They are 14 yo tires with less than 200 miles on them. Good point about taller tires will make it feel slower. I have heard (researched) that people have put too wide of tire on 14x4.5 rims and it didn't work out very well. So just trying to get my ducks in a row
Tire manufacturers give “approved rim widths” for each size tire, and it’s best to stay within that range. You may have trouble finding 14” tires in the sizes you want & be compatible with the narrow stock rims. Do you have 4 lug wheels or 5 lug? I suspect your early 6 cylinder car came with 4 lug, you may want to consider a 5 lug conversion, Ford cars & trucks such as Ranger, Explorer, Crown Victoria, Mustang and Torino as well as others came with a variety of rims in steel and aluminum ranging from 14” to 17” diameters that will fit 5 lug Comet’s.
Never thought about going directly to the tires company website. But yes I have 4 lug and really don't want to upgrade at least at this point.
I’m not sure of compatible of 4 lug rims, maybe someone else will chime in with that information. I do know that early fox body cars (Mustang, Fairmont) came with 4 lug rims, but don’t know if the bolt pattern is the same. EDIT: I just talked to my friend and he said Maverick/Comets have 4-1/2 bolt circle and fox body cars have 4-1/4, so that’s out. I didn’t think it would be that easy, I guess there’s a reason everyone does the 5 lug conversion.
With a 4.5" wide wheel....which is what your car will have, I would say the largest tire you could go with would be a 195 or a 205 at the most.
While it's not a good idea to use substantially larger tires than recommended for rim width, other than tread possibly being pulled up on outside edges it won't harm tire. That can be adjusted somewhat by varying tire pressure. Back in day I installed 885-15" on 4" Volkswagen wheels. No I wasn't going for the "big tar" look, we took it on beach but still got it's share of highway use.
On a 4.5 inch rim a 185 is the widest tire that will work. Anything wider and the tire will donut and it will wear in the middle of the tread. As stated above, the 4 bolt Ford pattern changed with the introduction of the Mustang II. I learned that lesson the hard way working at Goodyear and selling custom wheels. Bad Day! You might be able to get some wider 4 bolt rims. All the way up to 1970, 6 cylinder Mustangs came with 4 bolt rims, and I would bet they are wider.
I just did a search on wheels. Used a 1967 Mustang 6 cylinder for the vehicle. Most online sites have no specs for our cars due to age. 4x4.50 inch pattern, which is the same as 4x100mm. There are some wheels available, but they move the tire size to 15 inches or larger. Not surprising. 14 inch tires are getting harder to get by the day.