1964 Buick Special Wheel and Tire Recomendations

Discussion in 'The Hides' started by Chris Mulloy, Jun 21, 2017.

  1. Chris Mulloy

    Chris Mulloy Active Member

    I need your Help!!!!! Looking for Wheel and Tire Recommendations for a 1964 Buick Special.

    This is my first time ever redoing a car so I'm learning as I go. I don't understand anything about the offset/ spacing stuff.

    So what I have is original 14" Wheels on the car with P205/75B14 tires. I want to go with a more aggressive and better handling look. Ive been told by a friend that I should go with a 15" x 8" rim. I'm wanting to go with Cragar SS - Conical Seat - 15" x 8" bolt pattern 5 x 4.75" Backspacing ??????? for all four rims. Thoughts????

    Should I be running something bigger in back than the front???

    Tires Ive been told to go with 225/60 Bridgestone Radial T/A

    The first picture below is my car with my wife her sister and dad in the picture. They have owned the car since 1970. My wife and her sister drove the car in High School. Its been sitting in a garage for the past 12 years. We just brought it back to life. The second picture is what were shooting for. So that's the look I'm after for the wheels and tires.

    Thanks for your help!!!!!

    Chris
     
    Last edited: Jun 21, 2017
  2. gs66

    gs66 Silver Level contributor

    Cragars will look great on there, not sure on the back spacing.
     
  3. wkillgs

    wkillgs Gold Level Contributor

    The Radial T/A is made by BF Goodrich, not Bridgestone. The Cooper Cobras is another good tire and will cost less than the BFG.
    A 225/60-15 is rather small, only 25.6" in diameter. You could go with a 235 or 245 if you want a wider/taller tire

    The Crager S/S is only avail with a 4-1/4" backspace on a 15x8 wheel...... a 15x7 with 4" backspace would fit the car and tire better.
    4-1/2" backspace on a 15x7 is ideal, or 5" backspace on a 15x8. Too little backspace and a wide tire (245+) and tire-fender clearance may become a problem.
    I'm not familiar with the conical seat..... do those fit the wheel studs okay? Back in the day, the Crager S/S used the mag lug nuts with the extended shank.
     
  4. Chris Mulloy

    Chris Mulloy Active Member

    Thanks for your reply!!!!! I have been told that a conical seat is a true circular hole. The other type of rim comes with a oblong circle hole so they can move the rim around a bit. Uses lugs with washers. Conical seat has to use true lugs no washers.
     
  5. Chris Mulloy

    Chris Mulloy Active Member

    Jim - GS66 what size tires and rims are you running on yours?

    Thanks
    Chris
     
  6. gs66

    gs66 Silver Level contributor

    On the 65 I have 17x7 front and 17x8 rears. On the 66's I have 15x6 front and 15x7 rears.
     
  7. Chris Mulloy

    Chris Mulloy Active Member

    What is the set up you would recommend going with? Do you think 15x8 all the way around is wrong? There going on the car in the picture. I just want an agressive stance, but nothing over the top. Should I go with what you have 15x6 on front 15x7 on back? As I said abohrve my first time working on a car looking for advice from a pro.

    Thanks

    Chris
     
  8. Chris Mulloy

    Chris Mulloy Active Member

    Walt - wkillgs - please give me your thoughts also.
    Thanks
     
  9. wkillgs

    wkillgs Gold Level Contributor

    a) decide on a tire diameter. The 205/70-14 are about 26.3" diameter. Do you like how it looks on the car? Does it fill the wheelwell nicely, or is it too big/small?
    b) Look at a tire size chart and see which sizes have the diameter you like. For about a 26.5" diameter, your choices are:
    70 series: 215/70-15
    60 series: 245/60-15 .... these might be a little wide for the front to never rub. a 235/60 or 215/65 would be a little narrower and a bit shorter at about 26" diameter.
    Here's a spec sheet for the Cooper Cobras. It also shows the recommended wheel width:
    http://us.coopertire.com/Tires/Passenger/COBRA-RADIAL-G-T.aspx

    c) If you want a wide tire, the wheel offset has to be right to center the tire in the wheelwell.
    For a 7" wide wheel, 4 to 5" is about right
    For an 8" wide wheel, add a half inch bs.... 4.5 to 5.5"
    For a 235 you can deviate a little. A 245 has to be closer, a 255 very close, and a 275 needs the backspace near perfect.
    Some wheels won't be available in the 'perfect' backspace for your car, limiting your choices.

    17" diameter or larger wheels will give you less tire sidewall height and will handle better, but will have less cushion and will ride a bit harsher on bad roads.

    Your best bet might be to look at more 65's and pick something out that looks good for you!
     
  10. gs66

    gs66 Silver Level contributor

    I got my advice from Walt back then! Even 15x6 all around looks good on these cars with a slightly wider tire in back. Nice car by the way, can't wait to see how it turns out!
     
  11. Chris Mulloy

    Chris Mulloy Active Member

    Guys thanks for your help!!!! Here is what I'm going to go with unless you guys think otherwise. I want an aggressive look, but concerned about the rubbing up front. I think I'm going to go with 15x8 in the rear and 15x7 in the front. Running 245/60/15 in the front and either 215/70/15 in front or 225/60/15. Walt am I making a mistake or do you think that will look good. Definatly going with Cragar SS Wheels. Thanks again Chris
     

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