Re: [Chevelle-list] Back Tire Size - 66 Chevelle

[Brad Waller]

As with me, I went with 17x9.5" wheels with 5 7/8" backspace.  This is the absolute max backspace for a 17" wheel, but an 18" might be different.  You might be just as safe with 5 3/4" backspace.  The rears would be fine with this and a 275 (or larger), but the front is really tight.  I get a little rub against the sway bar on one side at full lock, and I had to clearance my wheel well in the rear on one side.  But low profile tires have a very "square" profile and can cause interesting issues as they move through their normal range of motion. Brad Waller Clint Hooper wrote: Wheel diameter doesn't really change the backspace requirements. Wheel width does and tire width selection becomes more important when you go up in diameter. For example,you can get by with a 275 tire on a 15x8 wheel but when you jump up to a 17 or larger,a 275 tire would need at least a 9" width to work correctly because of the shorter sidewall. Clint Hooper H&H Custom,owner 1969 El Camino protourer http://dalesplace.com/misc/friends/clint/clint_hooper.htm "You may find me dead one day in a ditch. But by God,you'll find me in a pile of brass." ----- Original Message ----- From: Larry Shouse Thanks Clint. 275's are what I decided on. When I upgrade my wheels later, I'll consider 17's and I'll be asking once again what I'll be able to fit.   Once again, thanks to everyone who responded.   Larry Shouse  ----- Original Message ----- From: Clint Hooper I see people running 295's on a 15x8 but that's squeezing the sidewalls in a little too much for me. 275's will work fine on that wheel & backspace combo. Clint Hooper H&H Custom,owner 1969 El Camino protourer http://dalesplace.com/misc/friends/clint/clint_hooper.htm "You may find me dead one day in a ditch. But by God,you'll find me in a pile of brass." ----- Original Message ----- From: Larry Shouse I saved lots of posts, but I didn't find the answers there...   Clint or anyone, what would be the widest tire I can put on the back of my 66 using 15x8 wheels with a 4.5 inch backspacing?   Thanks,   Larry Shouse