What are the widest tire I can run on a 71 skylark?

Discussion in 'The Hides' started by Psilent Child, Apr 7, 2017.

  1. Esasky's85GN

    Esasky's85GN Car Poor!

    Ray,

    Does it clear pretty decent with the 295s? What is your backspacing on your wheels in the rear?

    Any pics?
     
  2. rkammer

    rkammer Gold Level Contributor

    The 295s clear fine on the back. The rear wheels are the original rallye wheels widened to 8 inch and I believe they have 5" back spacing. No wheel lip molding cutting was necessary. Both the 245 and the 295 tires are about 26.5 inches in diameter so, the car sits level just like with original tires.

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    Last edited: Sep 26, 2017
  3. Esasky's85GN

    Esasky's85GN Car Poor!

    Ray,

    How much clearance do you have on the rear outside tire from the inner fender lip?

    Its also on an 8" wheel. I know the wheels I am looking to get are a 4.5" BS so my concern would be that they would hit the wheel lip if I went to a 295.

    Chris
     
  4. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    That is what I run. There is noticeably less room on one side of my car, it clears though. That would be easiest.
     
  5. Esasky's85GN

    Esasky's85GN Car Poor!

    Larry,

    Are you running 235/70/15s or 245/60/15s on front?
     
  6. rkammer

    rkammer Gold Level Contributor

    I just checked with the Steve Caruso, who sold me the wheels and turns out they have 4 3/4" backspacing. I have about a finger's space between the tire and the inner finder lip with no cutting. You will be about a 1/4" closer but should be fine. Worst case you might need to cut the chrome molding just a tad. Stiff springs and/or shocks will help and a pair of air bags even better.
     
  7. 87GN_70GS

    87GN_70GS Well-Known Member

    So he builds them with 1/4" offset, not far from the factory 3/8" offset, interesting.

    How much clearance do you have to the inside, at the closest point (should be the bare frame just forward of the axle)?
     
  8. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    P255/60R-15 on front, 7" wide wheels, P275/60R-15 on rear, 8" wide wheels.


    BroadwayCC5.jpg
     
    SkylarkGeorgia and rkammer like this.
  9. wunquik86'

    wunquik86' Well-Known Member

    On the 71' skylark i just finished i put 295''s on 9 inch rims, with 5 and 1/2 inch BS. (there is a formula for this). The drivers side rubbed just a hair on a hard bump. Put Air Lift air bags under it and stopped that. Running 205x70x15's on the front, 3 1/2 inch BS. Standing behind the car, outside edge of the tires line up. Not everyone is after that stance, that's just my thing.
     
    87GN_70GS likes this.
  10. sean Buick 76

    sean Buick 76 Buick Nut

    I used to run a 295/55R15 on a 15x10 rim with no trimming or rubbing ... I also ran a 275/70R15 on the same rims, both looked good.

    Now with my tubbed out car i run 32 inch tall by 18 inches wide, i love the look.
     
  11. rkammer

    rkammer Gold Level Contributor

    Just measured inside clearance and there's 1" at the narrowest point on the driver's side and 7/8" on the passenger side. Clearance from the tire outside edge to the wheel lip moldings is about 1/2" on both side best I can tell if the car would squat down that low. On my car, it never does with street radials. Hope this helps.
     
    87GN_70GS likes this.
  12. rkammer

    rkammer Gold Level Contributor

    Great pic of your car, Larry. One of my favorite color combos.
     
  13. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Thanks Ray, the car was painted in 1997. It has it's share of scratches and imperfections, it looks really good there. I like it that way, I'm not that afraid to drive it. I think if I put a perfect paint job on it, I wouldn't enjoy the car as much as I do.
     
    Mart likes this.
  14. stickshift

    stickshift Silver Level contributor

    I run P285/40ZR17s. They don't rub, except when leaving certain driveways that have a very steep exit point.
     
  15. 87GN_70GS

    87GN_70GS Well-Known Member

    Do you know where the rubbing was?
     
  16. BrianTrick

    BrianTrick Brian Trick

    Any time you get a wider rim,you need to go inboard and outboard,to keep everything centered under there. I run a 15x10 with 5.5" backspace. I have about 5/8" between the sidewall and the frame. I made zero modifications to the frame or body. I have very little body roll,which keeps the tires from rubbing. If I have to pull out of or into an inclined driveway,I just make sure I'm squared-up with it. If you run any type of rear disc brakes,you can run an even deeper backspace,to compensate for the thicker rotor hat.
     
  17. 87GN_70GS

    87GN_70GS Well-Known Member

    So this confirms what I have found with my car. If you wanted to equalize the in/out space, you could run another 1/4" backspace, for a total 5" bs or 1/2" offset. That would give you 3/4" both inside and out (at least on drivers side). That is if one wanted to have equal spacing in case a car was lowered and/or one anticipated bottoming out the suspension on a rare occasion
     
  18. Esasky's85GN

    Esasky's85GN Car Poor!

    Ok boys!

    Got the wheels and tires all mounted up!

    Ended up going with 245/60/15s mounted on 15x7s up front and 275/60/15 mounted on 15x8s on the rear.

    Definitely looks mean as hell!

    Pics to follow. Ones on my phone are too big
     
  19. Esasky's85GN

    Esasky's85GN Car Poor!

    Pics as promised.

    IMG_0155.JPG IMG_0156.JPG IMG_0157.JPG
     
  20. Skippy597

    Skippy597 Silver Level contributor

    I am about to order my wheels and tires for my 71 Skylark with 2" drop springs and decided to go with us mag Indy wheels 15x8 front and 15x9 rear with 5"backspacing on the rears. Will that be enough backspacing on the rears to clear 295/50r15's? I have previously asked but that was for a 15x10 wheel with 5.5" bs that I was planning on originally but changed my mind.
     

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