Replace or Keep Original Spare

[fixitman]

My spare tire wheel will be back from powdercoating shortly. The question now is whether to remount the original Toyo spare tire, which was never used, or find a new replacement tire. I'm concerned about the safety of a 38 year old tire. But I have not been able to locate a new 175 HR-14.

Has anyone found a suitable replacement? What is the maximum tire size that will fit in the wheel well without protruding above the rear deck of an early 260Z?

Thanks for your input.

Fixitman

Edited November 2, 2012 by fixitman

[26th-Z]

Since you had the wheel powdercoated, I assume you're not going for originality and therefor the Toyo is worth more to a collector than the cost of a new tire. The new (available) tire size closest to a 175 HR-14 is a 195/70-14. Tire Rack has them. Yes, you should be concerned about the safety of a 38 year old tire!

[fixitman]

But will a 195/70-14 fit in the spare wheel well without lifting the cover?

Fixitman

[jfa.series1]

A bit more difficult to find but another size option is a 185/75-14. It is virtually the same diameter as the original tire.

[fixitman]

A 185/75-14 is an option but is it a wider tire? I'm concerned with raising the cover. Vredestein makes a Sprint+ in a 175 HR-14. Has anyone purchased this tire?

[djwarner]

Strange, but I just refilled the 175 HR-14 spare in my '71 240z yesterday. I realized it was 41 years old and certainly subject to dry rot. Was surprized it actually held pressure. So I'm in the same boat as you looking for a replacement.

So I just took a straight edge and laid it across the flats where the fiberboard cover sits. Yes, we have a problem as there is less than 1/4" clearance. A 195 tire is by definition 2 cm (0.800") wider than the 175 sitting in the well.

Later models used a compact spare that inflated with a CO2 cartridge when needed. But the cartridges are now harder to find the a 175/75-14.

If you are looking for a get you home spare tire, tirerack.com shows several 175/70 R14 tires. These will certainly fit within the well.

Edited November 2, 2012 by djwarner

[Kurbycar32]

Keep the toyo on your factory rim, then put it in your garage and use if for show purposes. Buy a cheap modern rim and tire combo that fits and use it as a serviceable spare tire. Or do what I did and exchange the spare tire for a can of fix-a-flat and roadside assistance.

[fixitman]

What is the going price for an original, un-used Toyo? I just might sell it.

[Arne]

The wider 195/70 will not allow the cover to lay flat in a 240Z, as you fear. The 185/75 might - it will be very close. The Vredstein is an OK tire, especially for use solely as a spare.

[ZCurves]

Mine is a '78 with collapsible tire. I heard that you could use a spare from a Mazda, that would fit in the storage space nicely. Problem is that I do not recall which model of Mazda had the spare...If anyone know please reply to this posting.

On the other hand, I am thinking that I could mount a 175/70/14 on a extra stock metal wheel. So does anyone know if a 175/70/14 on a factory steel wheel would fit in the storage space??

[JonnyRock]

The wider 195/70 will not allow the cover to lay flat in a 240Z, as you fear. The 185/75 might - it will be very close. The Vredstein is an OK tire, especially for use solely as a spare.

Arne is correct. My car had a 195/70 mounted on the original spare and the cover sat up ~1/2" or so.

[ZCurves]

Here is a followup - Over on ZCar.com, a guy is using a space saver spare from a 2000 Altima in his wifes 240z. Apparently, the 2000 Altima is four bolt pattern and fits just fine.

http://www.zcar.com/70-83_tech_discussion_forum/280z_spare_tire_alternative_870635.msg2487095.html#msg2487095