Wheel and Slick tire fitment-66 (I know it's been beat to death)

[washMO66]

OK I know we have beat this to death and I have been party to it more than once but I wanted some opinions.

66 Coupe, reverse eye, fenders rolled.

My street wheels are Vintage 50's, 16X8, 4.5" back space, 245/50/16's (tread width 8", section width 10", 25.7" height). They fit but they should be 4.75" of BS to allow for passengers in the back seat.

My strip wheels are currently 15X7 with 3 1/4 to 3 3/4 BS (I need to measure when I get back in town) and I run Hoosier 26X9.0X15's (tread width 9", section width 9.7", 26.1" height). They fit but are extremly close to the quarter 1/2" and have a little space on the inside to move in 1 1/4" approximately.

I want to go to an 8" wheel for the slicks and I really want the Weld Magnum Drag 2.0. I know the section width will spread out a bit on the slick going from a 7" to an 8" and I am trying to decide what BS to go with.

Here are my choices;

15X8 with 3" or 4" BS - Not enough in my opinion and won't cut it

15X8.25 with 5" BS - 5" is good and I could use a spacer if it's too much.

My question - Is the extra 1/4" of rim going to fit on a 66? Any help or similar drag race wheel/tire set up would be appreciated.

 

[dodgestang]

You are right on ther 15x8 3 and/or 4 BS is not enough..you really want 4.75.

With regard to the 8.25 wide with 5 inch bs, if you are running stock drums in the rear you will need a spacer to keep the it all off the leafs. This is an 8 inch wide rim with a 4.75 bs on a car with rear discs that push it all up a slight bit. The rim will most likely like hang, but even it if it clears, the side wall budlge will not.

 

[fastback brian]

If your rear axle is still the stock width, 58" , the you will need the 15x8 with the 4 inch backspace. I run the alumastars with 28x9 slick or 28x11.50 etstreets. tire has 3/8 clearance from spring at rest.

 

[washMO66]

My drums are 11" Ford F150 drums.

Are you saying that the 8.25" rim will not fly?

Just looking for clarification

 

[fastback brian]

If your 66 has stock location leaf springs and a stock width 58 inch drum to drum rear axle then 4 inch back space for the slicks. you could run as wide a rim as you want but back space shouldnt go deeper than 4 inch. if your axle is wider or narrower then its up to you to do the measure and math, you then may need a custom rim from bogart.

 

[washMO66]

If your 66 has stock location leaf springs and a stock width 58 inch drum to drum rear axle then 4 inch back space for the slicks. you could run as wide a rim as you want but back space shouldnt go deeper than 4 inch. if your axle is wider or narrower then its up to you to do the measure and math, you then may need a custom rim from bogart.

Just finally got back to town and;

1. Measured my 7" wheel backspace, it's 3 3/4"
2. Pulled out my invoice from Currie, my total overall drum to drum is 57.375".

I really think I need 4.75 based on having 4.5" on my 8" street wheel and still having a little space between the sidewall and the leaf. I really want to try the 8.25" 5" BS with a spacer but I need to do a litte bit more measuring.

Thanks for the input.

TB