OK, I've decided that, even though I really like the old repro tires, seeing as I plan on driving the vehicle combined with the amount of power the 427 is going to put out, it's best that I get some radials. Another big factor is price. The repro tires are more than 2.5 times more than the radials I am looking at.

In any event, in trying to stick with the closest size to original. What size is closest to the F70-14s? I've read in some old posts that it was 215/70-14. However, according to this chart http://www.turbinecar.com/tires.htm , it looks like it should be 200/70-14, which means the closest I can now get is 205/70-14. Which is correct??

Seeing as I'd like to stick with a tire with history of the car, think I'm gonna go with some Uniroyal Tiger Paws. Question is, do I want the RWL tires or should I go with all black? I'm going to be running 14-7 steel wheels with dog dish caps. If I have to run 215s, then these are my choices.

Here's the RWL:
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/ATCT_250R/Camaro%20info/TIGERPAWGTS.jpg

Here's the all black:
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh180/ATCT_250R/Camaro%20info/TIGERPAWAWPll.jpg

I have to admit, I'm leaning towards the black--just because the RWL seem too far from what the original RWL used to look like, although I'm not sure how great that tread pattern would be.

Your opinions would be appreciated. Thanks.

For those who don't know (like me) according to this chart, http://www.musclecarclub.com/library/tech/tires.shtml, the F70-14 tires was 26.2" in diameter. For modern radials, the 215/70-R14 is 25.9" and the 225/70-R14 is 26.4".

Hence, it looks like 215s are correct. Just goes to show there's a bunch of misinformation on the net.

Tom...

To me, those tires will never look like the original style so go anyway you like. I like the RWL look but hey, thats me. Too much black without the letters breaking it up.

Kev

Here is a page from the B.F. Goodrich website with all tire dimensions:

http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/specs/radial-t-a/12.html

I would use the 225-70R-14 Tires for a stock look.

There won't be any rubbing with the 225s, will there?

Tire Size
P225/70R14

Rim Width Inches
6 - 7.5

Section Width on
Measuring Rim Width
9 on 6.5

Overall Diameter
26.5

From Coker Tire Website:

F70-14 FIRESTONE WIDE OVAL REDLINE

SKU 54870
Construction: Polyester/Fiberglass
Load Capacity: 1500 @ 32 psi
Tube Type: Tubeless
Overall Diameter: 26.2
Cross Section: 8.3
Tread Width: 6.7
Tread Depth: 11
Max Inflation: 32
Rec. Rim Width: 5.5--7

VEHICLE: 1968 CHEVROLET Camaro

SS
F70-14 775-14
Radial Recommendation:
215/70R14
Standard
735-14
Radial Recommendation:
195/75R14


You will have no clearance issues. I had 225 70 14s on my 68 Camaro with no problems before I went with Goodyear Polyglas F-70-14s. The chart above from Coker shows the replacement tires are 215-70-14, but I think that size is a little short. I am also thinking about going back to radials and the correct size to pick for the stock 14x7 Rally Rims, but in a 60 Series, using the same size tire front and rear. I want to go as wide as I can without any rubbing issues.

So the Polyglas are that bad, Tory? haha. Well, I haven't heard great things about their driveability. Mainly, I'm not getting them because it allows me to put $600 elsewhere in the project. I'm sure somewhere down the road, I'll try them out, but for now, the radials will do.

I guess the main thing for me is, when you look at the car, I don't want the tires to look overly big or disproportionate.

Hi Tom,
Polyglas tires were great technology for the time, but like you said, why pay $600, plus shipping, plus mounting 40 year old technology when newer radials are less expensive, ride better and handle better. The 225s are closer in size in my opinion. I had just rebuilt my front end and the rear Multi Leafs gave my Camaro a nice stance. The 225s filled the wheel wells perfectly.
If your suspension is new, you will have no issues. If you are concerned, have one tire mounted when you purchase the tires and put it on the front to check for clearance. Any good tire store will give you that courtesy.
Let me know what you choose.

I recently put some Tiger Paws on my ’56 Chevy. These old Chevys aren’t known for their handling but the Uniroyal tires ride nice and smooth and took very little weight to balance them.

If it were me I would go for the 225/70-15’s for your Camaro. The other tire sizes you mentioned will look small and not fill the wheel wells.

Thanks for the info Steve. I'm running 14 x 7 rims, so I can still get the 225/70-14s. Looks like I'll be getting the RWL, as for some reason, there's even fewer tires made in this size that 215 or 205.

Tom - 225/70-15 was a typo. :o I was thinking 225/70-14. :)

I am very happy with the Tiger Paw tires. I like them better than the Goodyear GT II’s I have on my Camaro. :yes:

http://geocities.com/sdampier@sbcglobal.net/56_Chevy/Wheels-small.jpg

Steve, seeing them on your car, I really like 'em. Not sure if it's because it's a really nice car or I actually like the tires. haha.

But, I think it's pretty cool having the UNIROYAL and TIGER PAW in RWL on the tire, seeing as some of the '69s came with Tiger Paws. It obviously doesn't look like the old lettering, but definitely has an old school vide to the typeface on the tire. Most new RWL tires look way too modern (aside from the BFG radials).