Tabe,
I no longer use the spring steel bar in the clamshell. And I've put some hinges and bolts on the hinged end of the clamshell to drop it about 2". I also stow the tire aired down. I have 215/65-16 Nokian Hakka's.
Link to the hinge arrangement:
http://groups.msn.com/BobsPhotoShare/sparetirestowage.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=971
 
You can see the hinge in the middle of the photo. I used 2 ordinary gate hinges and cut them so the eye for the bolt is on both ends of the hinge arrangement. I had to do some cutting on the clamshell back at the hinge area, to get it to work using this arrangement.
 
Suggest that you just try airing down the tire and see if it fits before you do anything else. The tire is not going to fall out if you remove the spring steel bar and use bolts to hold the clamshell onto the frame crossmember. Not sure about the tire contacting the coolant hoses and steering bar though.
 
Bob Stevens
'87 Syncro Westy

I recently swapped my steel wheels for some alloys.  The tires on the alloys are 205s, and I was not able to close the clamshell for the spare tire.  Are the tires too big to fitor what?  I can build the clamshell down a bit if I have to but I would rather not.tabe johnson/87 westy
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