Wheels and Tires?

[rhtopdown]

64 Comet Convertible- want to use a set of Crager SS wheels but not sure about backspacing. Would like to stay with 15in a little larger tire on rear. what size wheels and tires would look best but with no chance of rubbing.
thanks

[Rocket989]

Assuming a number of things (stock ride height or close, stock length rear axle AND centered) for the rear, a 7" wide rim MIGHT fit w/ 4-inches of back spacing might fit and a 215'ish size tire but 4.5" is better. I've got right at that with the fender lips rolled and will be using 215x55x16 tires and I wouldn't want it any closer (on the outside). I probably could have went with a 225x55 but that'd pretty much equal the current setup and I got tread cap separation on one of the current tires from rubbing!! I think it is possible to fit an 8" rim with custom back spacing but you may need to lose/ mod the bump stops and then you have to watch tire height closer.

On the front, a 7" rim with 4" of back spacing will work fine - I would stay under 25.5" (maybe even a little less) height-wise. Again, you can run an 8" but would need custom back spacing and require stepping up to a 17" wheel or using drop spindles. I'll be using a 205x50x17 up front. As above, I would have liked a 215, but that would have meant custom back spacing to be 100% sure they'd never rub.

It's pretty crazy how this stuff can vary from car to car! Even with stock width rear ends, I've seen guys saying they're running a 245x60 on an 8" rim with 4.5" of back spacing. No WAY that'd work on mine!

[albert]

Not sure if measurements are identical on a 64 but I am using the following on my 65 with cragars....front P185/65R15.....back P235/60R15. Hope whatever you choose works out.

[Rocket989]

Albert - What rim width/ back spacing did you use?

[ants875]

I have 215/65/15 on the front and 235/60/15 on the back. I went with a 7"rim on the back and a 6" on the front seems like the backspace was all dependant on the rim width. Not much for options.

Ant

[Rocket989]

Ant - Agreed, there's usually a default back space per rim width (especially in 15's!). Custom is always a huge uptick. Might go that route someday along with lopping a couple inches off the rear.

I know a 245 will fit in the stock well, just always amazed when folks are able to do it with shelf rims!!

[albert]

Albert - What rim width/ back spacing did you use?

I believe they are 7" rear and 6" front, don't know back spacing as these wheels came with the car when I got it about 6 years ago.

[dmeadows]

Any chance that this wheel would work all the way around or do people usually put 6s on the front?:

http://www.jegs.com/i/Cragar/260/61715/10002/-1

[ec164]

Albert your car looks very nice sitting there........Al