ok so a 15x8 with inch wheel with 275/15's 60S tires will fit on a stalk 71 Lark without any trimming or anything. and with no tire coming outside the wheel well? should it be 4 inch backspac or 4.5?thanks
they will not fit with 4" backspacing. 4.5 should be fine, but will be close. my wheels are 4 1/8 and i havn't tried yet, but 275's look like they will rub on the outside. tons of room, inside, though. this is assuming we're talking rear tires.
I ran 15x8's with 4-1/2" backspacing and a 275/60R15 DragRadial. They fit perfect. I now run 15x10's with 5-5/8" backspacing with 325/50R15 DragRadials. Still fit, but did have to trim the top of fenderwell about 3/8".
If you go to 5" backspace (15x8) you'll have the ability to go to a 295 later on. Plenty of room on the inside.
I can't say for sure about that. I believe that 4-1/2 backspacing centers the wheel in the wheelwell housing. If you go bigger, like 15x10, you do need to add more. In this case adding 2" to the width and I added 1" to the backspacing to keep it centered. And you have to be careful with those 295 DragRadials. They are very tall, almost 30". You could start to have the tire rubbing up in the wheel well area when the suspension is moving. My tires are only 28" tall and I had to put air bags in the back to take some of the bounce our of the rear to keep this from happening. They are a 1/2" narrower, so it may be OK, but you'd be getting awfully close up in there. I don't personally know of anyone running those 295/65's on an a-body car.
Are you running those 295's right now. I kept popping into this thread, hoping someone would comment on 295 tires. Are you running those 295's? Would you be willing to give measurements to frame and to wheel well lip? Thanks for the info on the 295's, I have been leaning that direction after hearing Phil talk about trimming his edge. Thanks for the help! Troy
Well, like Phil said, watch the sidewall ratio, a 295-65 is a monster (30"), a 295-50 is about 28" tall and a bit easier to deal with (you'll need good springs or air bags either way). The 68/69 cars are a little tougher to deal with on the outside because of the shape of the wheel opening (295 is max). Also going with what Phil said, a 15x8 is centered in the hub with 4.5" of back space, but the hub is typically about .75" to 1"closer to the outer wheel opening, so probably the best overall backspacing with a 15x8 would be 5" ( I measured a least a dozen times, exact center was 4.875" but american only does .25" increments). Now as you get wider, (like Phil did) you have to make compromises on centering, things like exhaust and shock mounts become interference on the inside. Phil will probably tell you that he's got about as much as you could get in that well and still drive it on the street.
With my 15x10's, I am still able to stick my hand between the tire and my 2.5" exhaust system. The bottom of the shock is VERY close to the wheel, but still does clear it by about 1/4". The 325/50 DragRadials are the biggest thing you can fit up in those wheel wells, IMOP. My next tire will actually probably by the M&H DOT Muscle Car Drag tire. They look kind of like ET Streets, but with more tread and firmer sidewall. They have a slightly wider tread width, but a small section width, so they'll have a little more breathing room up in the fender well. Tread is 10.4" vs 11" for M&H but section width is only 12" vs 12.9" for DragRadials.
Phil, Have you ever put 295/50/15 tires on the rims that you have your 325s on? I am leaning toward your backspace specs and wanted to run 295s on it. Was wondering how much clearance I would have with 295s as opposed to the 325s.I am having steel stock rims widened that will have dog dish hubcaps on them.325s do look cool but I don't really want to run air shocks though.This is for my 71 GS. Pat
Hi, I personally have never run a 295 tire on my car. A 295/50R15 only has a 26.7" tire diameter. I doubt you would have any trouble with that tire in the wheel well. Width is 12.2" on a 9.5 rim according to chart at Jegs. Also, I don't have air SHOCKS, I run air BAGS in my rear coil springs. If black, no one will ever see them. And I have the air lines mounted over the gas tank and next to the gas tank fill neck behind the license plate. Easy access and no one ever sees them. There are slots in the frame back there that they mount to perfectly. The problem with the bounce and need for air bags is the top of the inside of the fenderwell is round, as you can see from inside the trunk. Those wheel wells were not designed to take such a WIDE tire in there. That's why you need to take some of the springiness out of the rear suspension so you don't get so much travel. They are also helpfull if you put a couple of friends in the back and a cooler full of beer in the trunk when going to the track. I only run my airbags at about 5 lbs. or so. The rear still moves, just not quite as much if there were no airbags. If you want, you can call me at 330-239-9451. I'm home the rest of today/tonight.
Phil, I was thinking that they would work considering you got them monsters in under your wheelwells.I want to get the airbags as well.I live in a rural area with lots of small hills and the 295 will probably suit me better but the look of your car is making me rethink it now.I have a 350 4 speed in this car and will probably not put a big block in it.I will save the monsters to go on my 15x14 wheels for the 70 GS.Thanks for the help. Pat
