67 cuda convertible spare tire problem

-
S

smaartaass

Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2015
Messages
14
Reaction score
0
Location
connecticut
Restoring a 67 cuda convertible. Replaced the trunk floor. Spare sticks up too high and cover board does not fit flush with floor. What was the spare used? I have the correct size tire mounted on the rim. Is this car supposed to have a compact spare? It looks stupid the way it is.
 
Here's an alternative spare...

Emergency Spare.jpg
 
smaartaass said:
Restoring a 67 cuda convertible. Replaced the trunk floor. Spare sticks up too high and cover board does not fit flush with floor. What was the spare used? I have the correct size tire mounted on the rim. Is this car supposed to have a compact spare? It looks stupid the way it is.
Click to expand...

sometimes the tires are wider than the depth of the wheel well... I had that issue with my daily driver Barracudas back in the day and I wasn't running that wide of tire... Just what came on my stock small block cars (273/318)...
 
I think the main problem is that the wells were designed to hold those really skinny bias ply tires from the '60s. An optional D70-14 has less than an 8" section width, and the standard tires, a 695-14 only had a 7" section width.
 
Unfortunately, that's the way they came from the factory. It looks dumb with the board sticking up higher then the trunk floor. Found this picture online of a Dart. I'm going to find a small donut spare so that doesn't happen.
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/OTAwWDEyMDA=/z/0qkAAOSwT6pVsSA7/$_1.JPG

On the 340 and 383 Darts(Cuda probably similar) you got a 5.5" wide wheel as a spare. The board doesn't sit flush. If your car came with the smaller width wheels, the board fits.
 
Last edited:
69_340_GTS said:
I think the main problem is that the wells were designed to hold those really skinny bias ply tires from the '60s. An optional D70-14 has less than an 8" section width, and the standard tires, a 695-14 only had a 7" section width.
Click to expand...

Yep, the spare well size goes back to the early A's. My 64 Valiant came with 6.50 x 13 tires. It's just something you learn to live with. This car has 14" tires now but I use a 185-80 X 13 for a spare and it fits fine.

I've converted to BBP on my 68 Cuda and use a donut spare from a 90's Jeep Cherokee. Fits nicely without that unsightly bulge. Modern radials are so much better than the 60's tires and have not had to use it. I did check to see if it fit the car though. I consider spares for emergency use only so see if you can find a skinnier tire for your spare.
 
I know this is an OLD tread but...

The spare was just a full size tire on a full size wheel. If you have 5x4.5" lug pattern you can probably get a doughnut tire from some other newer car that will fit.

I found a 5x4" lug - 14" x 4.5" stock steel wheel (from a 67 cuda) and a Firestone F560 Radial Firestone F560 Radial Tire | 155R14 | Coker Tire sits flush in the tire well. The dia is a bit small so if you have any type of limited slip / locking diff you would be best to put the spare on the front and move a front to the rear if you get a rear flat. (pain in the *** but on a dark and stormy night on a road 100 miles from nowhere with no cell service It will get you some where else)
 
My avitar picture is a factory firestone red line on the 340 5.5 rim and the card board panel does NOT sit flush //just like the picture of the dart mentioned BUT although the trunk mat may not be flush //when I fold down the rear seat/trunk panel everything is flat.
 
I bought a space saver spare from a compact mopar, don’t remember which one. It is a 5 on 4 inch sbp. Think I paid $7 at pick & pull. My trunk board sits flat with it.

It is a lot smaller diameter than my tires, so likely be an issue for my sure grip if I had to put it on the back. The center hole is a little smaller, so that could be an issue. I had to grind it out a little to fit the front. The good news is that it is a big enough wheel size that it clears my disc brakes. I was thinking about geting a 6.50-13, which is what I think the spare tire well was designed for, but I was concerned it wouldn’t clear the disc brake calipers.
 
Mike69cuda said:
. I was thinking about geting a 6.50-13, which is what I think the spare tire well was designed for, but I was concerned it wouldn’t clear the disc brake calipers
Click to expand...

Pretty sure you are correct on that. I think you had to go 14" with disc
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top