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Offline GroceryGetter

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13" tire options on American Racing Libras
« on: June 25, 2018, 01:30:08 PM »
A couple of weeks ago I located a set of American Racing Libras on Craigslist I picked up for $250 to swap out the stock pizza cutters on the car.  the 7' wide profile leaves some room for tire options, but I see now that stuff is somewhat limited.  So far I see the Yokohama A048 here: https://www.vulcantire.com/tire_detail/a048_t.htm_8301 and the Firestone Firehawk 900 here: https://simpletire.com/firestone-p205-60r13-1202000100-tires?stmodel=firehawk-900&stcategory=other&sttype=passenger&gclid=Cj0KCQjw37fZBRD3ARIsAJihSr25pG_k5psl25J15_znpFX4rwPJd_ECi21prpfrAyl0DS1ahsJH8NUaAiHVEALw_wcB are the top two I'm mulling over.  I'd rather have the speed rating of the Yokohama, but the all weather capability of the Firestone is more sensible.  I've seen some less then happy feedback from the Toyo Proxies, but I don't know enough to give them a thought yet coupled with their price per tire more then either the Yokohama or the Firestone.  The classic BFG's out there are also under the same consideration as the Toyo brand.

I'm also going to poke around on the 1st gen RX7 forums to see what those guys run for tires on their wheels.  They don't run 4x108s, but their rare 4x110 lug GS frames don't leave many options for cheap wheels so 13" tire resources are sought by some.

Thoughts or input?

Offline pinto_one

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Re: 13" tire options on American Racing Libras
« Reply #1 on: June 25, 2018, 04:14:12 PM »
Been trough a pile of diffrent rims and wheels , problem now is the 13" tire will be hard to get one day , the opt tire for the pinto was a A70 R 13 ,  or 195 70 R13 , now imposable to find here in the states , last set I got was ten years ago , brought 4 and a few years ago one blew up when I ran over something on the highway , next if you can find a set are 14" slots , fit well but also hard to find , the 205 60 13' inch is wider but also lower than the stock 13 tires , also the next worst this is the Pinto has huge wheel wells , looks like your running donut tires , brought a pinto the was cut up just for a few parts but has 14" wheels ,195 70 R14 ,  ran those before when you could buy them in the mid 80s , but the 14 inch tires are also kind of going away slowly , next is the 15' tires I have on my car now ,, 205 60 R15 , clears everything and rides great , fills the wheel well nicely , I think the 15s will be around for a few years ,  or you can convert the car to 5 lug on a 4.5 pattern on the cheep , many more wheels to find then , the first phot is the stock car with 13s ,  second photo is with 15s ,    the last car is a electric car that took 135 80 13s tires , not made in over 25 years , had to drop down to 12s for a boat trailer tire , lucky that they made mag wheels , hope this helps ,
76 Pinto sedan V6 , 79 pinto cruiser wagon V6 soon to be diesel or 4.0

Offline LongTimeFordMan

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Re: 13" tire options on American Racing Libras
« Reply #2 on: June 25, 2018, 10:16:57 PM »
Hi..

I have 14" american racing 4 lug  rims and tires on my 73 wagon with 4 speed and 3.40 gears and tey seem to work well over all. The diameter providez a bitf over vearing so that the engine is turning about 3000 rpm at70 mph.

They were on the car when I got it 3 years ago and I think they are crom Pep Boys.

Heres a link a photo of the rims
https://www.cjponyparts.com/american-racing-outlaw-ii-wheel-14-x7-natural-4-lug-1965-1973/p/W126/?year=1973&gclid=Cj0KCQjwpcLZBRCnARIsAMPBgF3E_wsg9lrXjL-gX9qmmXY4p8x1A0NOR7t7euTACft7KqPSryr-uk8aAm1fEALw_wcB

And my car
Red 1973 pinto wagon DD, SoCal desert car, Factory 4 speed, 3.40 gears, Stock engine, 14" rims and tires, 60 K original miles

Offline Wittsend

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Re: 13" tire options on American Racing Libras
« Reply #3 on: June 26, 2018, 12:41:42 AM »
Try finding 215-50-13" anywhere today, like those on my Datsun 510!

Offline ponyboy

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Re: 13" tire options on American Racing Libras
« Reply #4 on: June 26, 2018, 10:48:06 PM »
I am currently using Primewell 185/70-13s on my Pinto wagon. I know they are a bit small, but they were as close as I could find. I have the Appliance 5 slotted aluminum wheels that came on the car when new, and don't want to give them up. I only drive it around town, so the lower gearing caused by the smaller diameter tires is not a problem. Larger diameter tires would certainly look better, but I still like too small better than way too big, which is the trend these days. I don't even want to think about a Pinto with 20 inch "rims" To me that would be totally ghetto. Some time ago, U.S. Wheel made 14x6 chrome smoothies with the Pinto's 4 lug pattern, but they don't anymore. I wish I had gotten a set. When I first got the car, I put 190/75-13 whitewalls on it, but they quit making those shortly thereafter.

Offline pinto_one

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Re: 13" tire options on American Racing Libras
« Reply #5 on: June 27, 2018, 02:17:52 PM »
Had a set of Appliance 14 - 7 slots on a 80 pinto , still looking for another set and very rare , like the old school looks of the slots wheels , they do make others but do not like the looks , 15' are the max for all around unless you got a drag car , had 195 55 15 and was the same height of the 195 70 13s and was very wide , then went to 205 60 15s ,taller and fit well and find just right , rims are 15 by 7 , here are the tires side by side to give you the idea , the tires and wheels do not stck out and clear everything , still you still have a huge space in the rear wheel well in the back
76 Pinto sedan V6 , 79 pinto cruiser wagon V6 soon to be diesel or 4.0

Offline robertwwithee

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Re: 13" tire options on American Racing Libras
« Reply #6 on: June 27, 2018, 04:45:22 PM »
Try finding 215-50-13" anywhere today, like those on my Datsun 510!
Those wheels look fantastic on 510s

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Offline Wittsend

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Re: 13" tire options on American Racing Libras
« Reply #7 on: June 27, 2018, 06:07:11 PM »

... I still like too small better than way too big, which is the trend these days. I don't even want to think about a Pinto with 20 inch "rims" To me that would be totally ghetto. ...


We need not even stick our fingers down our throats to Barf on these!

Offline Wittsend

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Re: 13" tire options on American Racing Libras
« Reply #8 on: June 27, 2018, 06:12:28 PM »
But these should put a smile on most faces (note some even 13").

Offline douglasskemp

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Re: 13" tire options on American Racing Libras
« Reply #9 on: June 29, 2018, 06:12:30 PM »
Toyed with the idea of minilite type wheels on my Pinto. I really like the 70s and 80s rally racing scene.

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The Pinto I had I gave to my brother. The car was originally my mom's, (78 red Pinto sedan with a 2.3 and a 4spd.) I am originally from Tucson, AZ but moved to Oxnard CA :D
I'm looking for a Pinto wagon with an automatic.

Offline 65ShelbyClone

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Re: 13" tire options on American Racing Libras
« Reply #10 on: June 30, 2018, 11:09:39 PM »
I had 13" Minilite-style wheels on my car briefly.


They had some ancient Goodyear P-Metrics on them. When's the last time you saw those?

Thoughts or input?
My thoughts are that the Firestones are expensive. The Yokohamas are a DOT-legal race tire and probably won't last all that long. IMO, get whatever 13s you can find that fit the bill and plan to eventually either pay dearly for 13" tires or swap the rims. Nearly 10 years ago I was noticing that even the 14" tire selection was rapidly shrinking.
I was forced to go 15" when I upgraded the brakes to 11" Granada rotors.

'72 Runabout - 2.3T, T5, MegaSquirt-II, 8", 5-lugs, big brakes.
'68 Mustang - Built roller 302, Toploader, 9", etc.

Offline GroceryGetter

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Re: 13" tire options on American Racing Libras
« Reply #11 on: July 02, 2018, 09:57:07 PM »
Hey all.  Thanks for the latest input.

The suggestions for 14" and 15" tires is sound advice, but having just bought the wheels I'm going to fight finding the right set before I throw in the towel.

Another manufacturer that popped up is PRO METER and they have an all season 205/60R13 with their LL600 line.  It's a fair all season tire that's DOT approved and prices range anywhere from $50 to $70 a tire.

Offline douglasskemp

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Re: 13" tire options on American Racing Libras
« Reply #12 on: July 02, 2018, 11:01:36 PM »
Since my mom's 78 is now my brother's and he saw that I had some lacy spoke wheels left over from the M2s I sold, and wants to use them, he'll need to know about 13" tires and the available options.

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The Pinto I had I gave to my brother. The car was originally my mom's, (78 red Pinto sedan with a 2.3 and a 4spd.) I am originally from Tucson, AZ but moved to Oxnard CA :D
I'm looking for a Pinto wagon with an automatic.

Offline dick1172762

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Re: 13" tire options on American Racing Libras
« Reply #13 on: July 04, 2018, 12:48:56 PM »
I've had good luck on e-bay with Federal 205/60/13's. Got to look every day. I've heard there still for sale south of the border and in England.
Its better to be a has-been, than a never was.

Offline dick1172762

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Re: 13" tire options on American Racing Libras
« Reply #14 on: July 04, 2018, 12:53:04 PM »

We need not even stick our fingers down our throats to Barf on these!
   Spotted at my local Auto zone.
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Offline ponyboy

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Re: 13" tire options on American Racing Libras
« Reply #15 on: July 04, 2018, 01:21:10 PM »
the Pinto lug pattern is 4x4.25. That comes to 107.95 in mm, just slightly smaller than the 108s. I'm sure the 108s would go on the studs ok, but I don't know if the lugs would seat properly. The 108 wheels would be neither lug centric or hub centric. I found a set of 15" 4x108 chrome smoothie wheels, but even if they fit, they would need huge tires on them to avoid the ghetto look. That would probably work in the rear, but might hit something in the front at full lock, or even hit the fenders when driving over a bump in the middle of a turn. My car still has the original oem spare, Goodyear Polyglas Belted with RWL. I actually used that spare for a couple of weeks with no problems. But even it looked a bit on the small side. I wouldn't mind having something a little larger in diameter, but don't really want to go wider than a 70 series.

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Re: 13" tire options on American Racing Libras
« Reply #16 on: July 04, 2018, 11:33:41 PM »
The difference is 0.05mm, which is 0.002in. I doubt the bolt pattern is held to that small of of a tolerance in manufacturing, so yeah they'll fit.
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Offline GroceryGetter

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Re: 13" tire options on American Racing Libras
« Reply #17 on: July 07, 2018, 09:12:14 PM »
Hello again to all.  I pulled the trigger on the ProMeter LL600 in 205/60R13 from SimpleTire since it was the best deal.  They were listed at $50 each, but I tacked on the 5% military discount (I was USAF years ago) they have so they were only $190 for the four.  It seems they upped the price since then.



This is the top wheel on the stack.  I don't trust the old tires since I have no idea how old they are even though the RWL looks pretty awesome.




Offline Wittsend

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Re: 13" tire options on American Racing Libras
« Reply #18 on: July 07, 2018, 09:41:46 PM »

The difference is 0.05mm, which is 0.002in. I doubt the bolt pattern is held to that small of of a tolerance in manufacturing, so yeah they'll fit.


And if not..., lap the lug nuts to the wheel.  :)


Yes, tolerance, deflection etc. should play in your favor. I would tighten the nuts down incrementally to distribute any potential issues though I doubt there will be any.

Offline nnn0wqk

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Re: 13" tire options on American Racing Libras
« Reply #19 on: July 08, 2018, 09:48:58 AM »
Back in the day (1974) my car originally came with Michelin X radial tires. The size at the time was 175-13. Still have the original spare. A search on EBay shows that the size is still available. Just have to make sure your not looking at trailer tires. I did not find Raised White Letters or Raised Outline Letters which I always thought of going with, but white walls are still out there. I realize the trend is to a larger tire in most cases but for those who want to stay with the original size they are still out there and the price was not that bad either.     

Offline robertwwithee

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Re: 13" tire options on American Racing Libras
« Reply #20 on: July 13, 2018, 11:11:17 AM »
Hey all.  Thanks for the latest input.

The suggestions for 14" and 15" tires is sound advice, but having just bought the wheels I'm going to fight finding the right set before I throw in the towel.

Another manufacturer that popped up is PRO METER and they have an all season 205/60R13 with their LL600 line.  It's a fair all season tire that's DOT approved and prices range anywhere from $50 to $70 a tire.
Ive had that set for approx. 2000 miles and found them to be a good bargain tire.

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Offline robertwwithee

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Re: 13" tire options on American Racing Libras
« Reply #21 on: July 13, 2018, 11:14:22 AM »
Ive had that set for approx. 2000 miles and found them to be a good bargain tire.

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Offline PinPan

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Re: 13" tire options on American Racing Libras
« Reply #22 on: September 10, 2018, 11:07:53 AM »
BFG still makes a 205/60/13 Radial T/A with white letters.  Just ordered a couple from Tire rack, not cheap @ $128 ea., but at least they are still available.   :)
 

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Re: 13" tire options on American Racing Libras
« Reply #23 on: September 10, 2018, 11:33:42 PM »

many moons ago I used to run 185/70-13 continental or Pirelli radials stretched over some 7" wide steel stock center rims with a 4" back spacing.  they were great. hard to find now-a-days though as you have noticed. my car was down on the ground and they filled up the wheel wells just fine.


they got me down the road, around the corners and to the finish line with no troubles.



the only substitute for cubic inches is BOOST!!!

Offline PinPan

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Re: 13" tire options on American Racing Libras
« Reply #24 on: September 11, 2018, 02:05:15 PM »
Hello again to all.  I pulled the trigger on the ProMeter LL600 in 205/60R13 from SimpleTire since it was the best deal.  They were listed at $50 each, but I tacked on the 5% military discount (I was USAF years ago) they have so they were only $190 for the four.  It seems they upped the price since then.



This is the top wheel on the stack.  I don't trust the old tires since I have no idea how old they are even though the RWL looks pretty awesome.



You got a great deal!  I went to their site and they don't list a prometer LL600 205/60/13", only 15 & 17.  A search for 205-60-13 comes up with a few tires, the cheapest one being the BFG radial T/A. @ $144ea.


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Re: 13" tire options on American Racing Libras
« Reply #25 on: October 11, 2018, 01:52:34 PM »
On EBay, about $280 shipped for 4... I have them on my 72, so far so good.