890x15 vs. L78x15...let's discuss!

L

Loren Baldwin

Alright, so I'm getting ready to buy tires for my 59. As the title suggests, I'm having issues deciding on which to buy. I will list a few pros and cons of each as how I see it and I'd like feedback from everyone. Here we go:

8.90x15
PROs
OEM tire size
high weight rating (2500 lbs)

CONs
extremely expensive ($277 each from Coker)
very tall tire (31")

L78x15
PROs
Not as expensive as the 890s ($155 each from Coker)
29" tall (this could be a con also since it will throw off the speed/odometer)

CONs
lower weight rating compared to the 890s (1950 lbs)
Not OEM

So there you go. I'm having a hard time putting weight into anything on the list. One thing I am considering is budget. Saving $400 is nice, but would going that route create issues in the long run?
 
890s for sure...no question. That's the size your car was designed for, and that size was engineered for your car. Your car is supposed to have the ride height it will with the 890s.

Are the Coker tires radial or bias ply? What ply tread, and what ply sidewalls?
 
If you can find the labled tires "Ambulance Service" on the sidewall, they are a beefier tire and can bring you years of quality use, depending on your driving habits, and don't forget the spare?
 
Loren, I'm in the same boat with my '59 Comet Olds. One can spend hours on the internet looking at the various classic car tire manufacturers (and distributors) and find yourself running in circles.

My car originally had either 8:50 X 14's, or possibly the optional 9:00 X 14. This translates in a currently available radial tire (to replace the 8:50) of either a P225/75R14 in a '75 series, or a P235/70R14 in a 70 series. I'm not real clear yet on what the difference is between the two series. There doesn't appear to be any current radial replacement for a 9:00 X 14, but there is for a 15". Of course, correct ww size ( 2 1/4 - 2/1/2) is also important for a '59 vintage car.

There was a detailed discussion on tires on this board sometime in the past few months, and the general consensus seemed to be that the advantage of radials (even if they weren't correct for the year) outweighed the benefits of having the proper sized bias ply tires on a 52 year old car, unless you plan to trailer it everywhere.

I'm looking forward to hearing whatever suggestions you (or we) might receive.

Terry
 
the 890 from Corker are nice if you what that wide white wall or I think you can get then in black. but if your needing them for a newer car then they are out. the book from diamondback is not a lot more helpful as they only have one tire this is a 30 in I think with out the book. but they will cut you any white wall you need in it. the 890 are 31 in tires the 235 are 29 in tires. so the 30 is smaller but not enough to effect the speedo the 29 will throw it off 5 mph. the big 14 in tires are almost impossible to find now. if memory serves me right the 855 x14 is what was on the 59 olds. as the series number goes down the tires gets smaller around and wider. that the difference in them.
 
Terry Lange said:
This translates in a currently available radial tire (to replace the 8:50) of either a P225/75R14 in a '75 series, or a P235/70R14 in a 70 series. I'm not real clear yet on what the difference is between the two series.
Click to expand...

70 series means the sidewall height measurement is 70% of the tread width.
75 series means the sidewall height measurement is 75% of the tread width.
And so on...
 
go with the 890 it's correct fro the car and a higher load rating. you need a 31 inch tires on the car to have it look correct and if you're going to spend that kind of money get the best you can for it. my beef with them is they only offer it in the wide white wall. the tire is right for my car the WW is not. but I would check diamondback also.
 
John ED Renstrom said:
the 890 from Corker are nice if you what that wide white wall or I think you can get then in black. but if your needing them for a newer car then they are out. the book from diamondback is not a lot more helpful as they only have one tire this is a 30 in I think with out the book. but they will cut you any white wall you need in it. the 890 are 31 in tires the 235 are 29 in tires. so the 30 is smaller but not enough to effect the speedo the 29 will throw it off 5 mph. the big 14 in tires are almost impossible to find now. if memory serves me right the 855 x14 is what was on the 59 olds. as the series number goes down the tires gets smaller around and wider. that the difference in them.
Click to expand...

My '73 S&S came originally with 8.90X15s (I have the spare-a Denham Super Safety.It's never been on the ground) and now has Dunlop P235/15s.Does the difference in size mean the actual speed is 5 mph slower than what the speedometer shows?:thankyou2:
 
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