Hello... My name is Mike Anderson, and I have purchased a 1964 Dodge Dart
Convertible 270 slant 6. I love it! Here's my question... I have purchased
rally rims sbp 5X4 from Summit Racing. The rims are 14X6. I would like to
purchase new tires this week, but I'm really confused about what tire will
fit, and not rub. From what I have read, it looks to me like 215/60/R14's
all around would be OK... but I'm not sure. Can anyone tell me if these
tires will fit, with no rubbing or issues. I test-fit the rims today, plenty of
clearance on all sides, front & rear. I'm not after a huge tire... just a nice
upgrade from the 185/80/R13's that were on the car. I appreciate any
guidance. Thanks! Mike...
PS- Also the owner of... 66 Dodge Charger, 56 Dodge Coronet 331 Hemi, 56 Chrysler Nassau 331 Hemi, 64 Chrysler Imperial, 72 Chevy C10, 71 Chevy K10, 66 Mustang coupe... (all need some love... but I love 'em all! )

I have P185-75-14s on stock Mopar rallye rims on my '64 Valiant convertible, and have about 1" clearance between the front tires and the rolled edge on the front of the wheel cutout. I'm guessing that the tire you want would be even closer, since the diameter is nearly the same, but the tread width is nearly two inches wider.

Every place else should clear. FWIW, I installed late A-body disk brakes and now the front wheels appear to be located a tiny bit more forward than the drum setup, but I didn't measure before I did it, so I might be seeing things.

What's the offset or backspacing?


I'm using 195/70 on 14x5.5 rims (stock rims, don't recall the offset off the top of my head)

Depending on how your offset compares to stock offset, look into a 205/70 and maybe 215/65 (215/60 is a bit short)

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Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

Hi Ed, thanks for your reply. I believe the rallye rims I just got from Summit
are a 4" back spacing. I like the 215/65 idea... I thought a read somewhere on
the blog that a 205/70 might rub on the font fender? But again, so many
different opinions on the blogs, I may have that incorrect. Really, I'm not
looking for a hot rod look, so the same size tires all around is Ok to me, just wanted if possible about the same height, and maybe a tad wider. I appreciate the advice. Mike

Hi 64convert, thanks for the reply. Those tires sound like they's do the trick!
That's exactly what I am looking for, about the same height, but a bit wider.
My Dart has new drum brakes all around, and the original slant 6 was rebuilt 90 miles ago! Terrific cars these old A bodies! Thanks again! -Mike

[/img]

You can sort of see the clearance in this picture.

I'd pick the 195/70 over a 185/75 on a 6" rim..........

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Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

Hi 64 Convert... Wow, what a beauty you have! Terrific Valiant!

Ed... why the 195's ? Just trying to learn... thanks!

Mike

Slightly lower profile and slight more width for slightly better handling.

Similar cost

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Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

Hi Ed, you've been so helpful, I appreciate it!! I think I will go with the
195's... they are actually pretty inexpensive on tirerack.com ! I'm sure as
I dig deeper into my Dart I'll have lots of questions... like... why is my gas gauge not working? Which it is not... and, how do I fix the turn signal lever, so
it stay clicked UP, when making a right-hand turn? But first... new rims &
tires... and a few drives around the New Hampshire countryside! Can't wait!
Mike

Hi All... hope I am doing this right... 2 pics of my 64 Dart Convertible

Mike

Nice car and welcome to the site. If you really have 6" rims with 4" backspacing (more than stock Mopar rims) then 215/60s should work fine. That is a really nice tire size for a Dart, and I ran stock, 14X5.5" rallye rims with that size for many years.

Really, it is impossible for any of us to say for sure since we are not there with your car and your new rims. The most sure way is to mount a cheap used tire on one of your rims, almost any size, then put the tire/wheel on the car and make some measurements, and decide on final tire size from there.

Personally, if you are looking for handling and performance, then 60 series or maybe 65 is as high as I would go. Comfort? Go for a higher aspect and narrower tire.

Happy Slanting,
Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

I ran 235/60/14 front and 245/60/14 on my 65 Valaint for many years. Correct back spacing is key.

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Yeah....Im the one who destroyed this rare, vintage automobile.....

Hi Lou & others... thanks for your input. I decided to go with the 195's as they are identical height to my stock tires, and just a bit... a bit wider. Should fit w/o
any issues, and have a nice feeling ride. I will update my pics when I have the new rims & tires on the car... hopefully by this weekend. Does anyone know where I can get a tailight? Both of my tail lights are good, not cracked, but the passenger side tail light's outer-most chrome ring is missing. Are those rings available? Or just an entire tail light? I've been watching eBay but no luck so far. I've contacted wild cat mopars, they keep telling me they will call me back... but they never do, so I doubt they have one. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks again! -Mike

Hi All... I had my new tires mounted on my Rally rims today, with great success! To refresh... my rims were purchased from Summit Racing, they are the 5X4 sbp... 14X6 rims with a 4" backspacing. I purchased 195/70/R14 tires!
I have about 1 & 1/2 inches of clearance in the rear, between the tire &
the leaf spring, and about a 3/4 inch clearance on the lower front fender. The 3/4 inch clearance freaks me out a bit... it's close, so I may decide to roll
the inside fender up a tad... but just a tad. I'm really happy with the look of the rims/tires... ( tires are Goodyear Assurance )... and the improved stance the
car has. Original rims & tires were 13 inch rims, with 185/80/R13 tires. The
195/70/R14's are almost exactly the same height, but just a bit wider. Very
Happy! New Pics attached... thanks everyone for all of your help & suggestions.
Mike