Looking for new look

[madmanadam]

Hello there,
New to the forum
Just purchased a 1963 Wildcat Conv and wanting to change the look with some modern wheels. What are the options? What is the biggest one could put in the fender wells? Any info would be great.

Thanks
Adam

[madmanadam]

It has been a full year, still need information on back spacing. wanting to run 17" x 8" 245 in back and 17" x 7" 235 in front. monies are burning a hole in my pocket.

Any if would be great! Com'on wildcats what are you running.

Thanks Adam

[msc66]

I think you may have to figure this out on your own. Cut a plywood disk about the size of the wheel and tire. Put a hole in the center to fit over the hub and then drill it for the wheel studs. Bolt it on and then measure in from the back side to the frame or whatever.

Be conservative on your measurements being sure to allow for sidewall clearance. Mount it on the front and turn the wheels from lock to lock taking multiple measurements. Also make sure the car is supported under the axle/front suspension so it reflects the proper ride height when measuring. Then talk to your wheel manufacturer.

Hope this helps and good luck.

[rogbo1]

As you can see from the above reply, this can and does get complicated.
You are on the right track to check with other owners who have already done
something, and probably had some misfits the first try. Some wheel dealers will
let you try on one if they have something close to what you want on hand. Even a
rim without a tire will tell you a lot. So you are right to be careful and do as much
homework as possible ahead of time.

[madmanadam]

Thanks,
Not many of these cars around. I will try the plywood.
Looking at air gagging the car at the same time I do the wheels.
Hoping on having it on the road by end of may.

Thanks
Again
Adam

[stangman]

hey madman I put 17" polished torque thrust 2's on my 70 electra with 245 60 17 tires goodyears. the low profile tire just didn't look right cause you have alot of wheel opening to fill. torque thrust look good on any car. I'll try to post a pic later tonight.

[Eric Schmelzer]

Try the following. This is info that was given to me by a board member when I had backspaceing questions. This worked out great for me so I think it would work for you to.

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I use a carpenter's framing square (L) by holding one arm flat against the brake drum hub while the other extends out to the lip of the fender.. measure that distance. Do the same for the inside measurements to the nearest point that might interfere (rub) with a tire (frame, etc.). You might need a tape measure for the inside to help get the measurement. The square just makes the point you measure more definite.

Try http://www.tirerack.com for a chart of tire sizes. Look for the section width, which is the overall width of the tire. If you have a 9" wheel and a 12" section width there's 3" that will bulge from the wheel. 1.5" inside and 1.5" outside. In this case you'd need 4.5" (1/2 the wheel width) + 1.5" (3"/2) clearance for the bulge of the tire = 5.5" backspacing if you want it all centered. Of course you need that much clearance inside and outside. Your total should always equal the section width of the tire.

4.5 + 1.5 = 6 x 2 = 12" Or you might have to go to an offset that is not equal inside and out on the wheel if there is more or less clearance inside than outside for instance.

You can manipulate your figures to get the wheel width and tire section width that will fit the car. The chart provides all the info you need and recommended wheel/tire width combinations.

It's clear to me, hope it helps YOU.

[D BERRY]

Stock tires and wheels are generally not centered exactly between the inner wheelwell and the outer lip. If it was me I'd jack the back up and put the car on jackstands, under the rearend. Then I'd put a bare wheel on the car and use that for reference. Then just lay a yardstick across both sides of the wheel to measure your clearance both inside and out, be sure and write these down. You'll want a wheel that is centered in the wheelhouse so take the difference between the two numbers and divide that in half. That number is the backspace you'll need to add to the backspace of the wheel you are using for the measurements to have a wheel that is centered in the wheelhouse. Of course if you use a wider wheel than the one you checked with you'll have to add 1/2 inch more backspace to your figure for every inch increase in wheel width. I think backspacing is measured to the area of the wheel where the tire bead goes and not to the edge of the wheel. Then you'll have to check out the site mentioned in Eric's post. Good luck.

Dave B