I got a question for you guys. Im trying to pick up a decent set of tires and I found a guy selling some Coker Cl***ics L78-15's or 8.20-15. I know thats not the normal tire size. Does anyone run this size or is it to big? I know the rears would be when it comes to changing a flat etc.
they will be too big . The L78x15 were the biggest tires made back in the 70's . They came on Caddilacs . We used them on the rear to drag race with . You need to get down near the F or G78 x 15 . Just my opinion . Jim
This comes up a lot on this thread, 54, and though we're not all in agreement, I think the group tends towards 215/75/15 as being the optimum size, all things considered. This is a radial tire size, however, and I think the letter sizes are for bias-ply tires. All radial tire size charts include physical dimensions, however, so you can cross-reference to bias ply using tread width, section width and diameter dimensions for comparison. But... (Ever notice there's always a "but" involved somewhere?) In my very humble opinion you'd do well to research this subject by looking at other cars and deciding which tire looks best to you, and then finding out what size it is. I am a very visual person and am very conscious of details like tire appearance and stance. These two factors, in my opinion, can and do make or break the overall effect the car has on me. I'm also a "period-correct" kind of guy and the tire size and whitewall width need to be consistent with the time period of the style of car as well as looking good on it. Now, to answer your question with a direct answer: Yes, I think L78x15 / 8.20x15 would be very much too large for your car. Except... (Ever notice that there's usually an "except" thrown in somewhere, too?) If you are going for a 1958-ish "dago" rake, 8.20s might be okay for the rear, with 6.70s on the front to exaggerate the rake and give a noticeable "tire stagger" and complementary whitewall widths. It's called "bigs 'n' littles" in the vernacular. But... (here we go again!) 8.20s all the way around would not look good...except on a 4-wheeler. I know, a very long answer for a very short question. Sorry, but I like to be thorough.
Michelles ranchwagon has a couple L78-15's on the front at the moment just while it is in storage (Building new workshop) and to put it mildly " they are F'n HUGE" . there is no front sheetmetal on it at present and I doubt they would fit if there were . .
I have 205/78/15 on the front and 215/75/15 on the rear BUT that is the way it came when I bought the car . I will go with a 205 or 215 / 75 / 15 when I replaced them or F or G 78/15 bias ply . I don't know the number conversion but on bias ply in the late 60's and 70's they were the F & G 14 & 15 sizes . Actually when I was a mechanic in a service station which aren't around anymore , the F 78/14 was the most popular size that we sold , then came the L78/15 for the big size Chrysler's , Lincolns & Caddy's . Jim
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