Big problem with radial tires in bais tire trunk wells??

[gary griffin]

The big problem with Radial tires seems to be the way they do not fit well in the trunk wells of our cars bias tire era. Also they scratch the whitewalls.

I purchased a great set of tires but they do not fit all of the way down in the well. I am considering using a jack or levers to distort he wells to fit the tires??

Possibly glue a old oilcloth tablecloth to the white side of the well

Any suggestions will be appreciated!

[Steve Passmore]

All makes suffer the same Gary.  I ran Buicks for years with the same problem. I used to carry bias ply tyres in the side-mounts just for emergencies to get me home. Others would run with radials in there but with very little air in them but carry a pump and pump them up if needed.

[gary griffin]

I had not thought of that Steve. One problem is 6 volt pump available and would it work on Positive ground car?  Could find an old hand pump?  Used to be foot pumps available also.  If i had not purchased 5 beautiful radial tires I would put a bias in there to get me back on the road!

[Steve Passmore]

I was referring to the foot pump type Gary.

[5390john]

I had the same problem with my '55 6237DX. Did not find out until I mounted the tire on the car and the spare in the wheel well that original size tires are WAY narrower than 235/75/15 radials.
See photos, I just put the spare in yesterday (how's that for timing) and had to let almost all the air out to get it to fit in the well.
Reminds me of Roseanne Roseannadanna, "It's ALWAYS somethin' "
John Adams

[fishnjim]

Take the original tire width in inches and multiply by 25.4 and you'll get the metric equivalent.   
8" bias are ~205(203), so if you put 235s on, they're an inch+ wider.   You're running 9"+ tires on a car with 8" design.
Sometimes the wider tires don't fit under the rear fender either.   I had trouble with 215s on my coupe until I remembered how to rotate in.   Certainly not something you want to do under a bumper jack on the side od the road with a 5000#+ car.
If you have room between the gas tank and frame rail, you can graft a larger size tire pan in, if you want a functional and more stock look.

[cadillacmike68]

Even newer cars can sometimes be a PITA to get the rear tire in. I had a hell of a time getting the full size spare on my 1996 Fleetwood a year ago (and yes I took the skirt off),  had to fiddle and diddle with the jack for a while - lowered to get the tire partially inside the well and then raise up to get it on the lugs, all the while with cars zipping by at 50+MPH. They didn't even slow down. I'm glad I was on the side away from the traffic, or I might have been squashed.

The problem with our cars and 8" wide original wheels, the equivalent size would be something like an 83 series. That means the sidewall height is 83% of the section with. Does anyone make a 205-83-15 tire, or even a 205-80-15? NOPE, unless it's a "classic" maker like Diamondback or coker. I'm glad mine are 9"s but still the 75 series is not quite correct, it should be 78 or possible 80 series, and again nobody makes those high profile tires.

It's close enough, the tires fit in and don't bump against the skirts. But don't ever fool yourselves into thinking  you can fit a wider (245mm or wider) tire because they flat out will NOT fit. And don't try it on the 1993-96 Fleetwoods either; you'll blow those skirts off in less than a mile.

[V63]

I have purchased ‘motorcycle spare’ wheels (mini spare) from a 1996 RWD Buick Cadillac olds...they fit the  1958 Cadillac and gave more trunk room. Certainly not authentic looking...but also much more user friendly to change in an emergency...which is why we carry them.

[5390john]

The 235/75/15 radials on my car just barely clear the rear skirts, and rub a bit in the front at full lock.
I have not yet driven the car since the wheels and tires have been mounted, but I am sure that I will need to be very careful when parking or maneuvering at slow speeds to make sure I don't damage the sidewalls or the fender. I think that's a pretty good trade for a sure footed ride, way better tracking and handling, and man o' man do they look cool!!
John Adams