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Tyre Pressures

  • Thread starter Thread starter Spanish Dave
  • Start date Start date Apr 9, 2004
S

Spanish Dave

Member
Apr 23, 2003
147
1
18
Oliva, Valencia, Spain
Apr 9, 2004
#1
  • Apr 9, 2004
  • #1
Hi all
Just a quickie .... what pressures should I have in 225x50x16 on a 65 fastaback 289 ?? The tyre guy put 27 all round and it seems OK but would like to know what you all use.
 

66P51GT

New Member
Nov 7, 2003
721
1
0
Cerritos, CA
Apr 9, 2004
#2
  • Apr 9, 2004
  • #2
27 seems low for radials. Should start at 32 on all four for regular street use. I usually run a little more up front (34,36).
 
B

bnickel

Founding Member
Aug 21, 2002
5,640
3
77
lubbock, texas
Apr 9, 2004
#3
  • Apr 9, 2004
  • #3
i ran as much as 38-40psi on the front of my 78 with a 2.3 when i had it, and usually about 34psi on the rear. you can usually get away with more pressure on lighter cars, on a 66 i would imagine you could run around 36psi on the front and about 34psi on the rear, you have room to experiment as well, just don't go beyond 38psi or so. when i go on long trips i always bump the pressure up a bit, less rolling resistance=better mileage, but keep in mind the more the car ways the less pressure you can get away with.
 

68GEETEE

5 Year Member
Nov 21, 2003
481
5
38
Texas, USA
Apr 9, 2004
#4
  • Apr 9, 2004
  • #4
The tire pressure for the classic Mustangs was based on bias ply tires, not radials. Thats probably where the tire guy got his 27 lbs from. However it is way too low for the type of tire you now have. I would put at least 32 lbs, look at the sidewall and see what the max rating is, and make sure you dont go over that number.
 

66P51GT

New Member
Nov 7, 2003
721
1
0
Cerritos, CA
Apr 9, 2004
#5
  • Apr 9, 2004
  • #5
68GEETEE said:
The tire pressure for the classic Mustangs was based on bias ply tires, not radials. Thats probably where the tire guy got his 27 lbs from. However it is way too low for the type of tire you now have. I would put at least 32 lbs, look at the sidewall and see what the max rating is, and make sure you dont go over that number.
Click to expand...
The max for radials is pretty high. When I was autocrossing my '99 Cobra, I'd start the Victoracers at 42 lbs. up front cold. I'd run consistent at 46 lbs. when hot. I'd run the rears at 30 lbs. when hot. You obviously would not run these pressures on the street.
 

HistoricMustang

Active Member
Apr 11, 2003
2,359
0
46
Confederate States of America
Apr 9, 2004
#6
  • Apr 9, 2004
  • #6
You guys/girls would be interested in knowing that I use Hoosier Bias Plys on both my track car and my daily driver. You put about 27 in them and (here we go) they help the handling on the early model. I did not say ride comfort, I said handling.

HistoricMustang
www.historicmustang.com
 

66P51GT

New Member
Nov 7, 2003
721
1
0
Cerritos, CA
Apr 9, 2004
#7
  • Apr 9, 2004
  • #7
HistoricMustang said:
You guys/girls would be interested in knowing that I use Hoosier Bias Plys on both my track car and my daily driver. You put about 27 in them and (here we go) they help the handling on the early model. I did not say ride comfort, I said handling.
Click to expand...
That's interesting. Have you tried the Hoosier radials? Assuming the rubber compound is the same, I have always been under the impression that radials have an advantage over bias-ply due to stiffer sidewalls.
 

HistoricMustang

Active Member
Apr 11, 2003
2,359
0
46
Confederate States of America
Apr 10, 2004
#8
  • Apr 10, 2004
  • #8
Actually the bias ply has the stiffer sidewall. That is why they have the advantage. You can also "tune" a little better using air pressure.

The stiff sidewall helps the front turn a bit better and in performance situations they allow for better "drift" with the rear of the car.

HistoricMustang
www.historicmustang.com
 

2nd Mustang

Founding Member
Feb 24, 2002
2,488
0
46
Southern California
Apr 10, 2004
#9
  • Apr 10, 2004
  • #9
I have 245-50x15 inch tires on all four corners. At 32 lbs, the car runs really well, BUT handling suffers, even on the street. At 27 lbs. it handles really well, but hard to turn while sitting still (no power steering). Even at 27 lbs., tire wear is even across the threads. Usually the bigger the tire, you can get away with lower pressure. I once had a Baja bug that was so light, the back mud tires (12x15) ran only 5 lbs. of air, any more and it would ride like a rock. You just have to experiment for your setup.
 
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