Wheel Spacer/Adapter
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,430
Likes: 8
From: Hamilton NJ
Wheel Spacer/Adapter
Hi all,
I was fortunate to receive a new set of custom rims with my '79 that I attempted to have installed. The manager told me the offset was wrong and he could not/would not install them. I researched it and it looks like I can add spacers to decrease the offset. The wheels are 5 X 120.7mm, 7" width with a -13mm offset. Any idea how large a spacer I would need to safely do the job? Spacer vendors? How would this affect the handling? I know stock rims are 8" width but I don't know the offset. Any advice appreciated?
Thanks,
Wuttin
I was fortunate to receive a new set of custom rims with my '79 that I attempted to have installed. The manager told me the offset was wrong and he could not/would not install them. I researched it and it looks like I can add spacers to decrease the offset. The wheels are 5 X 120.7mm, 7" width with a -13mm offset. Any idea how large a spacer I would need to safely do the job? Spacer vendors? How would this affect the handling? I know stock rims are 8" width but I don't know the offset. Any advice appreciated?
Thanks,
Wuttin
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
It's not only the offset ... the rim's spokes may hit the brake calippers. Your offset is -13mm (roughly 1/2") ... with a 7" wide rim that's about 4" backspacing which is ok....
To determine your spacer/adapter size:
Mount the rim with washers between the rim's mounting surface and the axle's hub (car must be on jacks of course) and see what it takes to get the rim on there without hitting anything.
To determine your spacer/adapter size:
Mount the rim with washers between the rim's mounting surface and the axle's hub (car must be on jacks of course) and see what it takes to get the rim on there without hitting anything.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,430
Likes: 8
From: Hamilton NJ
Thanks...apparently the rim would fit on the hub without hitting anything but it came within 1/8" of the brake lines but the calipers were clear. With the tire mounted it would surely hit. It would seem to me a reasonable spacer (1/2"??) would solve the problem. I was surprised by the shopkeepers reluctance, essentially because he thought it would really impact the handling.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
Try these guys
http://www.markwilliams.com/
These guys sell a variety of top quality billet spacers. The wheel shops see too many low quality pot metal spacers and won't accept the liability associated with using them. I run a set of 1/4 spacers on my BOSS 302 running a Coleman 4-wheel disc NASCAR setup that allows me to use the stock 15" Magnum 500 rims and 13 1/2 inch rotors. This setup has seen many laps of road course work with no problems.
Good luck.
Hans
These guys sell a variety of top quality billet spacers. The wheel shops see too many low quality pot metal spacers and won't accept the liability associated with using them. I run a set of 1/4 spacers on my BOSS 302 running a Coleman 4-wheel disc NASCAR setup that allows me to use the stock 15" Magnum 500 rims and 13 1/2 inch rotors. This setup has seen many laps of road course work with no problems.
Good luck.
Hans
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by Wrencher
http://www.markwilliams.com/
These guys sell a variety of top quality billet spacers. The wheel shops see too many low quality pot metal spacers and won't accept the liability associated with using them. I run a set of 1/4 spacers on my BOSS 302 running a Coleman 4-wheel disc NASCAR setup that allows me to use the stock 15" Magnum 500 rims and 13 1/2 inch rotors. This setup has seen many laps of road course work with no problems.
Good luck.
Hans
These guys sell a variety of top quality billet spacers. The wheel shops see too many low quality pot metal spacers and won't accept the liability associated with using them. I run a set of 1/4 spacers on my BOSS 302 running a Coleman 4-wheel disc NASCAR setup that allows me to use the stock 15" Magnum 500 rims and 13 1/2 inch rotors. This setup has seen many laps of road course work with no problems.
Good luck.
Hans
there's a TON of junk and garbage spacers out there..... many are high quality and fit like a glove. I bought some on Ebay and these are really good. That seller is "completevalue" - two 1" adapters are about $80.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,030
Likes: 17
From: White Pine / Dandridge TN
Originally Posted by RedBad1979
there's a TON of junk and garbage spacers out there..... many are high quality and fit like a glove. I bought some on Ebay and these are really good. That seller is "completevalue" - two 1" adapters are about $80.
I also purchased my 2.5" adapters from completevalue per Redbad1979's recommendation. These babies are very nice. To bad I have to cover them up with the wheels. They are also both hub and wheel centric which I feel more comfortable with.
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Spacer
Don't forget to check your stud length - Stock length may be to short, after you add a spacer. I have some 10" wide rims, with a 4" offset, had to get 1/2" wide spacer plates made, to clear calibers. Ended up going to 1/2" race type studs.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Originally Posted by Wrencher
http://www.markwilliams.com/
These guys sell a variety of top quality billet spacers. The wheel shops see too many low quality pot metal spacers and won't accept the liability associated with using them. I run a set of 1/4 spacers on my BOSS 302 running a Coleman 4-wheel disc NASCAR setup that allows me to use the stock 15" Magnum 500 rims and 13 1/2 inch rotors. This setup has seen many laps of road course work with no problems.
Good luck.
Hans
These guys sell a variety of top quality billet spacers. The wheel shops see too many low quality pot metal spacers and won't accept the liability associated with using them. I run a set of 1/4 spacers on my BOSS 302 running a Coleman 4-wheel disc NASCAR setup that allows me to use the stock 15" Magnum 500 rims and 13 1/2 inch rotors. This setup has seen many laps of road course work with no problems.
Good luck.
Hans
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
Hey..that's excellent..they have what I need also, just need some reducer bushings since I have 1/2" studs and not 11/16 (just checked and they have those also...excellent 
)
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Last edited by Twin_Turbo; Aug 19, 2005 at 01:46 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Got a voice mail from Mark Williams Enterprises that the spacers aren't in stock and it'll be 1 - 2 weeks before they'll ship..
I'm not in a hurry..so that's ok...
I'm not in a hurry..so that's ok...
