To Polyglas or not to Polyglas?

[OzCuda]

G'day Guys, I've been looking into tyre options for my factory Magnums and came across the reproduction Goodyear Polyglas tyres on the Kelsy Tire site.  Wondering about people thoughts on taking a non-numbers matching resto to the point where you are trying to use factory correct rubber.

What are they like to drive on?

Do they look the biz when you are done because they are correct or do they just look a bit skinny?

Anyone have info on the sizing specs?  My Barracuda came with F78-14s (on 5.5" Magnums - well that is what is still on the spare) which according to the Year One catalogue equates to 205/75/14s.  Most tyre manufacturers recommend a max width of 215/70/14 for 5.5" rims while on the Kelsy site they recommend E70-14s (205/70/14) for minimum 6" rims and F70-14s (215/70/14) for minimum 7" rims, which is different to the other manufacturers.  If I can use 'modern' 215 width tyres on the 5.5" rims, can't I use F70 (215 wide) tyres now???    Any ideas?

[Bullitt-]

bias plys had better rear traction, the steering is tighter, but dont stop nearly as well. IMHO      I have had 235/60s on 5.5 rims with no problem. 

[OzCuda]

Thanks Bullitt99.  The 235/60s on 5.5s is interesting as I can get those locally in Australia.  Any concerns with driveability?  Any roll when cornering? Did they bulge much?

[Bullitt-]

I never ran the bias ply 235s on the front. I currently have 235/60 t/a radials on the front. No issues observed. Here is a pic with the 235/60s on the right & a 235/55s on a 17x9" riim. There is a bit of bulge but judge for yourself. 

[Killer_Mopar]

bias plys had better rear traction, the steering is tighter, but dont stop nearly as well.

I dont understand how they could have better traction but not stop as well. Wouldn't the better traction cause it to stop better

[Bullitt-]

It could have something to do with the sizes I am comparing, I had 215/70 polyglass but 235/60 t/a's. Mainly stopping in the rain the radials have a much more aggressive tread pattern. As for acceleration, maybe the reverse is the case, more rubber on the ground, but my experience was I couldn't get a burnout before but with the radial t/a's they break loose much easier & I even get a bark going into 2nd under heavy throttle. I have no doubt the radials handle better overall.   

[ShelbyDogg]

Bias ply tires grab the lines on the road, You will not be happy with the steering and jerkyness everytime that you drive over one.  235/60s on a 5.5 tire is too skinny

[MyMopar]

Bias plys do not provide better traction and handling, that is why the tire mfgs went to radials.  Be very careful in the rain w/bias tires if you go out in the rain.  
Here is the reasoning, when someone wants to do a major smoke show they go with bias because they provide the smoke and have less friction from spinning than a radial.  Bias tires are also prone to flat spotting and feeling square when cold or stored for a period of time.

[Chryco Psycho]

I doubt you would be happy with Polyglas tires , they ride harder & corner much worse then radial tires

[MEK-Dangerfield]

I doubt you would be happy with Polyglas tires , they ride harder & corner much worse then radial tires

      

  Yep,
      There is a reason they aren't used on newer cars anymore. 

  Mike

[OzCuda]

Thanks for the advice guys.  Crunched the numbers on the polyglas tyres and they could end up around $450 AU per tyre based on the average x3 for landed products, which is a bit expensive.  Thinking now I'll go 225/70/14s which is one size above max recommended which used to work as a theory when buying tyres for the Jeep so maybe can push it.  Anyone think this won't work?

[Chryco Psycho]

a 225 70 should be fine on a 5.5" rim

[71340RT]

I have 225/70/R/14 BFGoodrich radial TA tires in my 71 Challenger RT and they ride and handle great. I had them on 14X5.5 rims but switched to the correct 14X6 on the Challenger now but never had any problems with the 14X5.5 combination.

[OzCuda]

Thanks guys