I'm wanting to put some rally wheels on my 65 what width of wheel can I put on with with out issues?

 

The stock steel wheels were 5.5 inches, the Knockoffs were 6 inches wide so a 6" wheel should work depending on the backspace.
If you're going to try to go bigger like 7" wide, it can be done but backspacing and tire size will have to be figured out. Does your 65 sit at the proper ride height or is there some suspension sag due to age?
Mike T - Prescott AZ

 

The most common is the '67 wheels 15x6 with a 205/70/15 or 215/70/15. Sometimes the condition of your suspension will be a factor. Weak springs causing a low sitting car can cause the front tires in particular to scrape the fender lip. Dennis

 

The front does sag but I will be replacing the springs to get the correct ride height.

 

You can put a 1968 vette steel wheel 15/7 with no problem with
215-65-15s.. Do not rub on any thing..

 

Be careful. The '68 Corvette 7" Rallys have -0.28" offset while the contemporaneous G-body 7" Rallys are zero offset. Most guys don't know the difference and can distinguish between them. Some have fitted the G-body wheels, but the rear spring end is likely to hit the wheel/tire at full rebound. That's why the Corvette versions have negative offset.

The +0.03" offset '67 6" Rally wheel is a good choice with 215/70s, which have the same revs/mile spec (775) as the OE 7.75-15s, so speedo accuracy is not affected. It's tight, but I'm not aware that anyone has ever reported fender lip interference. If it happens move camber in the negative direction.

The left tire shoulder may hit the steering gear carriage head bolts at full left lock, but since that only occurs at parking lot speed, it' not a safety issue.

There's a recent thread on the subject with more detailed information.

Duke

 

I have had the 1968 corvette rallys on my car for 40 years.. Switch them off with American Racing Wheels same size.. Torq-Thrust II .. Look at the picture .. Never had a problem.. F41 springs front and rear

 

As others have mentioned, if you're going to go 15"X6" rally's be sure to get the Corvette wheel. The Corvette wheel has 3 & 1/2" of backspacing. There are Camaro wheels out there ('67 & '68) in 15"X6" that have 4 & 1/16" of backspacing, these could be a problem clearing the trailing arms.

The same goes for the '68 Corvette rally wheels. They have 3 & 3/4" of backspacing and should clear just fine. There are also a lot of other 15"X7" GM rally wheels that have 4 & 1/4" of backspacing. Again these could be a problem on your Corvette.

Summit sells a lot of 15" rally wheels in both 6" & 7" widths. They also sell them with various backspacing. Just be sure to get the ones with backspacing to fit a Corvette and you'll be fine.

By the way, Fox 2/23, wouldn't be Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines would it? Saints & Sinners...

Good luck... GUSTO

 

A few notes that may help, some of this will be a repeat of other posts.

The 15x7 Camaro/Chevelle/MonteCarlo wheel is 4 1/4" back space.
The 15x8 C-3 Corvette Wheel is 4" back space.

15x7 zero offset (4" backspace) can be made to work nicely.

Finding clearance, without cutting fenders. (You don't need several of these, depending on tires selected):
- For disk brake cars, use a big stainless hose clamp to tie the parking brake cable to the trailing arm. Be sure the cable clip and the hose clamp are installed so they don't hit the wheel or tire
- shim the front bump stops 1". I used heavy wall square tubing. It helps keep the tire away from the fender lip at full lock.
- be sure the steering gear is mounted with the original carriage bolts. The tires will rub their at full lock, but it's benign with the carriage bolts.
- tires will also rub on the front sway bar, benign again.
- while generally not necessary, a shortened main leaf for the rear spring protects against cutting some wider tires.
- 4 1/4" back space should work on the fronts and will appear to work on drum brake rears, but lookout for the spring end cutting the tire, when it's at full rebound or hard cornering.
- Some negative camber, front and rear, helps both clearance and handling.
- Run F-40/41 springs

(More $'s? Get a set of offset trailing arms)

Hope this helps.

Harry

 

Thanks for all the answers guys this helps a bunch, Gusto you are correct Saint's and Sinners is the unit I served with.

 

Awesome... a good friend was the CO of 23rd Marines back in the late 90's

Semper Fidelis...
GUSTO