Bias Ply whitewall ... whitewalls crack easier then radial ?

<TABLE cl***=contentpaneopen><TBODY><TR><TD cl***=contentheading width="100%">i am currently running p 215 70 14 radials so am i correct that an f78-14 bias ply would replace my radial size with no problems.. only reason i would run bias ply is cost there only 100 bucks a piece
do you think i should run 205 70 or whAT ?!?

thank you for your help, Brett... those are the p 215 70 on the car now


Bias Ply to Radial Conversion Chart
</TD><TD cl***=****onheading align=right width="100%"> </TD><TD cl***=****onheading align=right width="100%"> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cl***=contentpaneopen><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=2>If you want to know what size your original bias ply tire would be in a radial, this chart will help you out! <TABLE width=437 border=1><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=bottom scope=col>

P-75 Series ​

</TD><TD vAlign=bottom scope=col>

83 Series Bias ​

</TD><TD vAlign=bottom scope=col>

P-70 Series ​

</TD><TD vAlign=bottom scope=col>

80 Series Metric ​

</TD><TD vAlign=bottom scope=col>

78-Series Alpha ​

</TD><TD vAlign=bottom scope=col>

P-75 Series Rim Width ​

</TD></TR><TR><TD scope=col width=65>

P195/75R14 ​

</TD><TD scope=col width=80>

700-14,
735-14 ​

</TD><TD scope=col width=70>

P205/70R14 ​

</TD><TD scope=col width=59>

185-14 ​

</TD><TD scope=col width=62>

E78-14 ​

</TD><TD scope=col width=61>

5-7" ​

</TD></TR><TR><TD>

P205/75R14 ​

</TD><TD>

750-14,
775-14 ​

</TD><TD>

P215/70R14 ​

</TD><TD>

195-14​

</TD><TD>

F78-14 ​

</TD><TD>

5-7.5"​

</TD></TR><TR><TD>

P215/75R14 ​

</TD><TD>

800-14,
825-14 ​

</TD><TD>

P225/70R14 ​

</TD><TD>

205-14​

</TD><TD>

G78-14 ​

</TD><TD>

5.5-7.5"​

</TD></TR><TR><TD>

P225/75R14 ​

</TD><TD>

850-14,
855-14 ​

</TD><TD>

P235/70R14 ​

</TD><TD>

215-14​

</TD><TD>

H78-14 ​

</TD><TD>

6-8"​

</TD></TR><TR><TD>

P235/75R14 ​

</TD><TD>

900-14,
950-14 ​

</TD><TD>

P245/70R14 ​

</TD><TD>

225-14​

</TD><TD>

J78-14 ​

</TD><TD>

6-9"​

</TD></TR><TR><TD>

165R15 ​

</TD><TD>

560-15,
600-15 ​

</TD><TD>

P175/70R15 ​

</TD><TD>

165-15​

</TD><TD>

A78-15 ​

</TD><TD>

4.5-6"​

</TD></TR><TR><TD>

P195/75R15 ​

</TD><TD>

640-15,
735-15 ​

</TD><TD>

P205/70R15 ​

</TD><TD>

175-15​

</TD><TD>

E78-15 ​

</TD><TD>

5-7"​

</TD></TR><TR><TD>

P205/75R15 ​

</TD><TD>

670-15,
775-15 ​

</TD><TD>

P215/70R15 ​

</TD><TD>

185-15​

</TD><TD>

F78-15 ​

</TD><TD>

5-7.5"​

</TD></TR><TR><TD>

P215/75R15 ​

</TD><TD>

710-15,
825-15 ​

</TD><TD>

P225/70R15 ​

</TD><TD>

205-15​

</TD><TD>

G78-15 ​

</TD><TD>

5.5-7.5"​

</TD></TR><TR><TD>

P225/75R15 ​

</TD><TD>

760-15,
855-15 ​

</TD><TD>

P235/70R15 ​

</TD><TD>

215-15​

</TD><TD>

H78-15 ​

</TD><TD>

6-8"​

</TD></TR><TR><TD>

P235/75R15 ​

</TD><TD>

820-15,
900-15 ​

</TD><TD>

P255/70R15 ​

</TD><TD>

230-15​

</TD><TD>

L78-15 ​

</TD><TD>

6-8.5"​

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

and the coker bias ply had a 2 3/8 white wall.. but do they crack easy ive heard some people have problems and diamondbacs are the way to go

 

Do you really want to go with bias ply, I would spend the money and get the radials!

 

The Bias tires don't perform that well at high speeds on the interstates. Radials would be worth the extra if you are planning any highway driving. Just my Two-Pennys worth.
Cooter

 

A Toyota Prius is safer on the interstate, but it ain't no traditional hot rod, either. go with the bias, they worked fine for fifty years.

 

What are you asking?

Tire size?

Sidewall cracking?

Whether or not to buy radials or bias??

 

As said above the Radials will drive better on the highway and also live longer in most cases.

The real issue is do you want to give up a bit of ride and handling for the "look" ?

If it was my daily driver I think I would be inclined to run radials, if it was a weekend/cruise night rig I would probably go with the period correct bias whitewalls. Myself, I think it looks great just the way it is now. It is a somewhat custom Falcon, not a period correct 32 Highboy 3 window that you spent the last 15 years gathering the just so, correct parts for.

 

My Coker Bias haven't cracked yet.

 

If you crave exitement, go with the bias and drive really fast.

 

Didn't cars go fast before radials?

 

I think tires were more prone to disintegrate in the fifties. And cars are MUCH faster nowadays. Fast is a relative term, ya know? And since radials should cost more to make, if tire safety progress is an urban myth, wouldn't make sense that bias plys would still be the standard on loss leader types of cars?

Face it, bias plys are for looks. They don't perform nearly as well as modern radials. But they sure look cool at the drive in. And looking cool sure beats hauling *** through the ramps, doesn't it?

 

I agree; but nothing ruins the look of a "period" car like radials.

 

i used to love those bias ply tires sometimes we could get near to 5-7000 miles on a set back in the 60's

 

I also agree on the looks. When my Olds is finished, I will buy a set of tall, narrow wide white bias plys, for when the car is parked in a show. But, one of my goals is to tour like Hotrodladycruiser is famous for. Driving 80 mph+ cross country? Radials only.