Tire Sizes for 1971 SB?

[Rick]

Finally, Got the engine in  (1776), and everything seems to be working great. Couldn't have done it without all the help and assistance from this site. One more question- Now I need new rubber -since these tires are about 23 years old and have a million cracks on them. They are 165 radial-Continentals. I plan on bead blasting the original rims and ordering new rubber. What do you guys recommend? Can I go to 185's I don't plan on raising or lowering the car. Also in 1971 ( this is a SB) did they use the thin whitewall (1 inch ) or just blackwalls. Also any good sites for ordering the tires from would be appreciated. If you guys are ever in New Jersey-drinks are on me!!!


Rick

[Bookwus]

Hiya Rick,

165x15 Continentals would have been OEM for 1971.  Or a 71 could have used the equivalent size (560X15 IIRC) in a bias ply tire.  VW was changing over from bias ply to radials at this point in their production.  I'm thinking that most of the cars destined for the USA were likely bias ply tires while those remaining in Europe were fitted out with radials.

I don't think you'll have any problems going to 185s.  I assume this is for the "look".  Moving up to 185s is really not going to give you any sort of performance advantages other than a slightly larger contact patch with the ground.

Whitewalls of that era for Bugs were running a 3/4 inch stripe.  Finding these today is quite difficult.  And when you do prepare to hand the man some serious cash.  The only outlet I know of that is selling VW appropriate tires in whitewall is Coker Tire down in Chattanooga.  Take a look.....

http://store.coker.com/165r15-bfg-3-4-whitewall.html

I posted up their 165x15 radial whitewall.  I'm not sure if they even have a 185 in 3/4 whitewall.  You'll have to check that out.  But happy hunting!

[Rick]

Thanks for the info. It's amazing the price difference. The 165 w/w are $135 each from Coker, and from www.TireRack blackwall Kumo's are $44 each. That's a big difference for a thin whitewall!!!. It's a no brainer. One other quick question-is it possible to push start an AS VW-as we use to do with manuals. Is it harmful to the trans?. Thanks again.

Rick

[singlecab61]

Hello there!

I have personally never attempted it, but a friend of mine in my VW group had a 74 SB A/S. He said he was able to push start it. He also said it took a decent downhill and about 25 MPH before it kicked over. I can imagine push starting an A/S could cause tranny issues, mostly with the torque converter and seals. No fluid flow to lube the input shaft seals until the engine started. I have personally never heard of any issues though.

I guess, if your brave you can give it a shot. I would start with pointing the car down hill and leaving yourself in the car and letting her roll with it already in gear.

-Evan

[68automaticFoVay]

Yep shes pushstart able took me 3 tries and the first mighta worked if I had ignition to on position LOL I had just bought the car and theres a secret enginge start button I forgot about Manual states 25mph and slam that baby into first , NOT L but Drive 1 first and away you go!.
BTW in my brief experience of owning this AS I have noticed that this tranny is pretty damn tuff for a tiny lil import.
German Engineering. Guten Tight! gotta love it!

[68autobug]

155 x 15 were the original size in Australia...
they are no longer available in Australia and now 165 x 15 are now classed as vintage tires and cost around $180 each..
165s used to cost around $120 for Kumho  etc...

I have been thinking of using larger diameter tires on the rear to get better MPG ??
205 x 70 x 15 yokohama A drive are 668mm in diameter
165 x 80 x 15  Hankook Centrum K702 are 624mm in diameter
fairly large difference...
the 205 would be going 15.4 kmh slower [9.2mph] than the 165..

We may have to stock up on 15 inch tires...
the 205s would be too large for the front I believe...
although the front of my beetle is lowered..

cheers

LEE