Putting new tires on my 70 sport wagon. want to go to 15" Thinking about American racing torque thrust. https://www.summitracing.com/oh/parts/are-vn1055765/overview/ With cooper cobra gt. 235-60-15. Thoughts on these wheels and any clearance problems I might run in to. Thanks...
The tires are fine, a bit short at 26.1", but they will fit no problem AS LONG as you get the back spacing on the wheels correct.
Back space on these wheels is 3.75". I think 15x7 road wheels are 4" . That is why I picked this wheel. (That and Summit has them in stock and on sale) A 255-60 shows 28" tall and will go on a 7" rim if that would be a better fit. Thanks
Factory 15x7" chrome wheel is ~4.375" backspacing. The 70 A body cars need a positive, or at least a zero offset wheel to fit larger tires. On a 15x7" wheel with 3.75" BS, like the Torque Thrust, the 235/60 is about all the tire that will fit on the front. It is a negative offset wheel, meaning more of the tire is toward the outside of the center line, and closer to the fender lip. Actually the 15x8" Torque Thrust would be a better option. It is a zero offset wheel, and would place the tire further into the wheel well. It would allow for a larger tire, at least a 245/60-15 front, and maybe a 255/60 if the front springs are not sagging. The rear wheel wells are pretty large on the 70-72 cars, and you would likely encounter no clearance issues.
As Jim said, the factory Buick wheels are 15 X 7 with 4 3/8" back space. With an 8" wide wheel, you will want 4 1/2" B.S. A P255/60R-15 is 27" tall.
So this wheel https://www.summitracing.com/oh/parts/are-vn10558061/overview/ is a better option than the 7" ? I have replaced the springs front and rear with custom parts that sit the car one inch above stock trim level on both ends.
Yes, that will work. I have 15 X 7 Buick wheels in the front with P255/60R-15 tires. I have 15 X 8 (4 1/2" B.S.) with P 275/60R-15 tires in the back.
Thanks for all the help guys. just put the wagon back on the ground with new wheels and tires installed. I went with 255/60r 15 on front and rear. I want to be able to rotate them and with the engine in the car traction is not a problem.
