I have a 1970 164 4spd and have across a set of widened original steel hub rim 15 x 7. I am looking at a set of 205/65/15 tyres. In checking articles I have seen specifications such as 215/60/15. Also have a set of widened volvo 15x6 steel rims as well in the shed. Any and all comments welcomed. Andrew

I have widened 15x7", 205x60,65&70 are all good. 205x65 would work properly with your speedo. Do you have power steering? I'd try 215x60, but they might be a tight fit on the rear if they aren't centred well.

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Three 164's, Two 144's, One 142 & a partridge in a pear tree.

Take care not to upset your gearing by choosing a tire that's wildly different from the stock tire's circumference. I am running 195/60-15, which was stock on early 240 turbos (and hence absolutely immune to any kind of fitment or clearance issues), and I'm pleased with the handling... they are adequate for the job, they respond quickly (esp. with ipd sway bars) and steering effort is close to stock. Gearing is around 5% lower than stock, which is fine. I have no intention of switching sizes, I'm very happy with this size despite the fact that it's pretty small by modern standards.

205/60 should give you approx. zero speedometer error. Bigger than that, you've got the side effect of taller gearing so your speedo will read low. 205/65 may also contact the rear fender wells on a lowered (or heavily loaded) car so they may require a bit of fender lip rollback work...

All I'm saying is, the car was designed around some really small tires, and you don't have to go particularly big to make a huge improvement to your handling. Try to get the circumference about right, and check rear fender lip clearance before you finalize the purchase.

thank you for responding. I am thinking of sticking with the 205/60 on the six inch, rather than go to the seven inch. Cheers

I think you'll be happy with the 205/60's, I did something similar to my '70 164 back in the day, (I believe I used 195/70's at the time, also on widened wheels) and it was a definite improvement.

As an aside, I never understood Volvo's tire philosophies back then, whereby many of their cars ended up woefully under-rubbered. The early 164S was marginal, with a 6.85-15 (roughly a 175R15 equivalent) on a 4.5" wheel. But it got worse... they went to the wider 5.5" wheels on the early 164E's, but shod them with 165R15's! Those tires had to work pretty hard on a 140 sedan, never mind the 164, with about 250 lbs more mass. IIRC, they went to 175R15's on the later E's.
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Gary L - 142E ITB race car, 73 1800ES

I never understood Volvo's tire philosophies back then, whereby many of their cars ended up woefully under-rubbered.

By American standards, that would certainly be the case. I wonder if Sweden's being big ice and snow country and, especially at that time, still having lots of gravel roads that would get nice and muddy when the thaw set in, had anything to do with it. That's why, in winter here in Maine, I run 165R15s snow tires on my 142 and go unconcerned where AWDs with fat tires fear to tread.

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‘62 PV544 (B20, M41), '71 142E (Ex-automatic, now carbed), '93 240 Classic Wagon.

No doubt the Swedish driving conditions were an influence, and I agree... fat tires in the snow are very counterproductive, no matter how many wheels are being driven. :)

But that move to smaller tires on the 164E's really made no sense at all. Those puppies had to be getting awfully close to designed load limits, particularly on the back of an "E" with four up and some luggage.
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Gary L - 142E ITB race car, 73 1800ES
BlueBrick Racing Website
YouTube Racing Videos

I have had both 205/60/15 & 225/60/15 on a 142, I prefered the 205's. Both handled well, fit and looked nice. The 225's were just a bit of a pain when parking with the good old strong arm steering. The car was sitting on Ipd sport springs, no rubbing with either sizes.

thank you for taking the time to respond. I agree with your assessment. cheers

i'm curious about where you got the widened rims?

thx.

Both sets of rims were purchased in Australia private sellers on ebay.

The sizes you mention are all pretty big, but should work fine.

Were it me, I'd go with the 6" rims, and shod them with 195 or 205 width, 60 or 65 sidewall.

Admittedly my experience is on an 1800. I'm running 205/65-15 on 7" wheels. The wheels are really a tad too wide for those tires, and the overall diameter is on the big side for my tastes, but they do work just fine.

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-Matt I ♥ my ♂