DeTomaso Mailing List: February 1997, Message #90
     



From: firanzi@erols.com

Subject: Re: Tyres

Date: Thu, 13 Feb 97 20:22:29 GMT



Shane,



I am running a very stock wheel/tire combination on the '72.  The car was

purchased with Goodyear Eagle VR 205/60's and 225/60's on 7"/8" rims.  I will

probably end up replacing them with 225/50 and 245/50 BFG Comp T/A ZR's as

Goodyear chose to drop the Gatorback series in 245 widths in a 15" rim.  I

wouldn't mind trying the Yokohamas, but they don't come in a 245, and that

255/45 seems too wide to put on an 8" rim for the rear.  Beyond the published

recommended rim widths for the 255 (which are 8.5" - 10.0"), and with these

25-year old porous Campis, I am a bit leary of mounting a stiff sidewall low

profile tire exceeding minimum recommended rim width for fear of placing too

much stress on the bead area of the magnesium wheel.  (Not to mention the loss

in footprint going to such a wide tire on a relatively narrow rim.)  Even

though the wheels were stress relieved by high temp and slow cooldown after

they were powder coated in '92, I'm not sure I should risk it.  Anyone feel

differently?



The real answer I suppose is to find a nice set of 10" Campis for the rear and

move the 8" to the front <g>.  Anyone out there want to sell me a set?



Jim