85 Eldorado Tire Upgrade???????

[danjarrett1]

My project car has a set of 205/75/15 Firestone’s on it that appear to be in good shape.....however,,they’re 25 years old!  Plenty of tread, the car sat for quite some time, have some flat spots that’s just aren’t working themselves out, and the obvious dry-rot.  Want to put a new set of tires on my project car,  but struggling with size. The current tires seem way to skinny, I did notice, as an option I expect, on some Eldorado’s including the Biarritz, the factory would install 225/70R/15’s.  A little wider,  and taller tire. I presume there would be no issues with fender wells or turn clearance. My car is, what I presume to be, a base model, not a convertible or a Biarritz, don’t know how to determine if it was a touring model, no badging to associate it. Has anyone had any experience with stepping up a size with the tires?...

[James Landi]

I've owned three Eldorados for many years, but alas, that was many year ago.  I was impressed by the Vogue tires as they provided the smoothest ride with the least amount of harshness that is associated with torsion bar suspension. The company had a recommended tire size, and that's the size I purchased. I do recall having put on a larger tire size of another brand, and having to have them removed because the fronts rubbed against the sway bar on tight turns.  I hope that you get more comprehensive advice on your question... James

[danjarrett1]

On the driver’s door, the recommended size in the smaller 205/75/15.....beginning to think I need to follow the factory recommendation on this car...but they look so ”dainty”

[bcroe]

On the driver’s door, the recommended
size in the smaller 205/75/15.....beginning to think I need to follow the
factory recommendation on this car...but they look so ”dainty” 

215/70R15s work fine on my 79 Eldo.  It has stiffer springs and gas
shocks.  Bruce Roe

[76eldo]

215/70/15 is the optional size on the Eldorado Touring Coupe for those years.

When I was driving these cars in the late 80's and 90's as daily drivers I always went with the larger 215 tire.

Vogue's look great on these cars and they are a good tire but expensive.  You have to have a decent sized whitewall on these cars and I don't know what the choices are out there.

Brian

[Dan LeBlanc]

Does it really make sense to be putting tires on a car with a blown head gasket though?  Sounds cart-before-the-horse to me.

[danjarrett1]

Yes, I fully intend to deal with head gasket problem, it is a priority. However, the tires are unsafe at any seeps at present. Located a set of Vogue white/gold wall 215x70Rx15. It is my understanding that the factory installed this tire (tyre) when delivered new.  Considering removing the engine altogether for the head gasket repair. Hate working in confined space of the engine bay.

[76eldo]

These were popular dealer installed tires in the 80's.  Never shipped from the factory with Vogues.

When you pull the heads off, DO NOT Rotate the engine unless you bolt on a bar that you need to fabricate to keep the cylinder liners from rising up which can rip or dislodge the O ring seals at the bottom of the liners.  I made this mistake end ended up doing a complete rebuild.

Brian

[danjarrett1]

You are absolutely correct! Would be nice to find that tool, might even consider replacing bearings and such. But I understand the risk to dislodging the sleeves is significant. Good tip

[76eldo]

Cadillac had a plate for use while working on these engines.

It wouldn't be too hard to make one.

Brian

[danjarrett1]

The service manual depicts the plate/tool, even gives it a part number. you’re right....could fabricate one

[James Landi]

Mr. Jarrett,

May I respectfully suggest that you check to ensure that you don't have "any travel" or end play in your main bearings one this motor, by simply using a pinch bar and pushing "fore and aft" on the crank shaft pulley.  If you can actually detect movement, you've more issues than the blown gasket, as overheating sometimes played havoc with the mains in the 4100 's.   James