Question about wheels
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 219
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From: Naples Florida
Question about wheels
I have decided to stick with my 15" but what should i go with..
meaning. 15x8 15x10.. ???? are these numbers widths of the tire?? Any advice??
once i decide that. How do i know what tire i should go with size wise???? I want a nice wide look to it!!!
meaning. 15x8 15x10.. ???? are these numbers widths of the tire?? Any advice??
once i decide that. How do i know what tire i should go with size wise???? I want a nice wide look to it!!!
Last edited by 69any1; Jan 2, 2007 at 10:59 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,814
Likes: 105
From: Dearborn Heights Michigan
The second # is the rim or tire bead width. On my 70 with 15x8 rims I have 245/60/15 Michelin's. They look good and are about as wide as one can go on an 8" rim.
Check the tire company web sites . They have charts showing the recommended tire & rim width combinations.
Fred
Check the tire company web sites . They have charts showing the recommended tire & rim width combinations.
Fred
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Naples Florida
which offset and spacing??
Cragar 08/61 Series S/S Wheel
Size: 15'' x 8''
Bolt Circle: 5 x 4-1/2'', 4-3/4'', 5''
Rear Spacing: 4-1/4''
More Details
or
Cragar 08/61 Series S/S Wheel - Reversed Offset
Size: 15'' x 8''
Bolt Circle: 5 x 4-1/2'', 4-3/4'', 5''
Rear Spacing: 2-1/2''
Reversed Offset
Size: 15'' x 8''
Bolt Circle: 5 x 4-1/2'', 4-3/4'', 5''
Rear Spacing: 4-1/4''
More Details
or
Cragar 08/61 Series S/S Wheel - Reversed Offset
Size: 15'' x 8''
Bolt Circle: 5 x 4-1/2'', 4-3/4'', 5''
Rear Spacing: 2-1/2''
Reversed Offset
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 4,206
Likes: 8
From: Belmar NJ
The largest tire that came on a C3 from the factory was a 25560R15 on the Indy Pace Car. Even though it was the same fender flare/opening since 1970 when some people tried to put those tires on their cars (with stock rims) THEY RUBBED! Something about lack of uniform fit/finish in how the bodies were hung (shocking). They might fit on your '70 and not your neighbors. So thats the first concern.
It looks from your avatar pic that your fenders might be flared beyond stock, which is good for what you want to do as you only need to be concerned with backspace for rubbing against the frame/suspension. I always liked my tires even with my fenders (it's the law in many states) others like to let 'em hang out. To each his own. Wheels with 3 1/2 to 4" of backspace will clear everything just fine with one exception. The caliper. Most wheel companies make their center sections flat which means you need a spacer to make the wheel sit flush on the hub and turn. If you pick a wheel that requires a spacer, you MIGHT be able to use a 4 1/2" backspace (a 3/16th inch spacer takes back over half of the last 1/2" of backspace). Make sure the studs are long enough with the wheel/spacer combo. You want enough threads to equal or exceed the size of the stud (ie; a half inch stud should thread a min. of 1/2" into the lug, more is better). Another caution about backspace. Although you'd think you just measure from the flush center to where a straight edge intersects, not all wheel companies do this depending on the amount of bead lip. With flared fenders 10" wide rears and 8" fronts should look good and not sacrifice cornering. (Putting skinny fronts on might give you a Pro Stock Drag look, but you won't want to push it in the corners)
Not discouraged yet? Good. The last hurdle is that most tire companies don't offer much of a selection in wide 15" tires. BFG and Mickey Thompson still do but be careful with the M/T's as many of their tires are bias ply so you might get the look you want and a ride you don't. Stick with the Sportsman Radial (S/R) if you use them. You want a tire as close to 27" tall in the rear as you can get to not throw off the speedo. A tire 24-25" tall in the front gives a nice stance, then you can play with ride height to finish the look. /:\
While I was writing my novella, I see your considering Crager reverses. May folks feel that a spacer (small as it is) stresses wheel bearings (I'm not one of them). Reverses do put alot more load on the wheel bearing. Try for a 10" with more rear backspace.
It looks from your avatar pic that your fenders might be flared beyond stock, which is good for what you want to do as you only need to be concerned with backspace for rubbing against the frame/suspension. I always liked my tires even with my fenders (it's the law in many states) others like to let 'em hang out. To each his own. Wheels with 3 1/2 to 4" of backspace will clear everything just fine with one exception. The caliper. Most wheel companies make their center sections flat which means you need a spacer to make the wheel sit flush on the hub and turn. If you pick a wheel that requires a spacer, you MIGHT be able to use a 4 1/2" backspace (a 3/16th inch spacer takes back over half of the last 1/2" of backspace). Make sure the studs are long enough with the wheel/spacer combo. You want enough threads to equal or exceed the size of the stud (ie; a half inch stud should thread a min. of 1/2" into the lug, more is better). Another caution about backspace. Although you'd think you just measure from the flush center to where a straight edge intersects, not all wheel companies do this depending on the amount of bead lip. With flared fenders 10" wide rears and 8" fronts should look good and not sacrifice cornering. (Putting skinny fronts on might give you a Pro Stock Drag look, but you won't want to push it in the corners)
Not discouraged yet? Good. The last hurdle is that most tire companies don't offer much of a selection in wide 15" tires. BFG and Mickey Thompson still do but be careful with the M/T's as many of their tires are bias ply so you might get the look you want and a ride you don't. Stick with the Sportsman Radial (S/R) if you use them. You want a tire as close to 27" tall in the rear as you can get to not throw off the speedo. A tire 24-25" tall in the front gives a nice stance, then you can play with ride height to finish the look. /:\
While I was writing my novella, I see your considering Crager reverses. May folks feel that a spacer (small as it is) stresses wheel bearings (I'm not one of them). Reverses do put alot more load on the wheel bearing. Try for a 10" with more rear backspace.
Last edited by parkerracing; Jan 2, 2007 at 09:26 PM. Reason: see above post that wasn't there when I started typing
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Naples Florida
The largest tire that came on a C3 from the factory was a 25560R15 on the Indy Pace Car. Even though it was the same fender flare/opening since 1970 when some people tried to put those tires on their cars (with stock rims) THEY RUBBED! Something about lack of uniform fit/finish in how the bodies were hung (shocking). They might fit on your '70 and not your neighbors. So thats the first concern.
It looks from your avatar pic that your fenders might be flared beyond stock, which is good for what you want to do as you only need to be concerned with backspace for rubbing against the frame/suspension. I always liked my tires even with my fenders (it's the law in many states) others like to let 'em hang out. To each his own. Wheels with 3 1/2 to 4" of backspace will clear everything just fine with one exception. The caliper. Most wheel companies make their center sections flat which means you need a spacer to make the wheel sit flush on the hub and turn. If you pick a wheel that requires a spacer, you MIGHT be able to use a 4 1/2" backspace (a 3/16th inch spacer takes back over half of the last 1/2" of backspace). Make sure the studs are long enough with the wheel/spacer combo. You want enough threads to equal or exceed the size of the stud (ie; a half inch stud should thread a min. of 1/2" into the lug, more is better). Another caution about backspace. Although you'd think you just measure from the flush center to where a straight edge intersects, not all wheel companies do this depending on the amount of bead lip. With flared fenders 10" wide rears and 8" fronts should look good and not sacrifice cornering. (Putting skinny fronts on might give you a Pro Stock Drag look, but you won't want to push it in the corners)
Not discouraged yet? Good. The last hurdle is that most tire companies don't offer much of a selection in wide 15" tires. BFG and Mickey Thompson still do but be careful with the M/T's as many of their tires are bias ply so you might get the look you want and a ride you don't. Stick with the Sportsman Radial (S/R) if you use them. You want a tire as close to 27" tall in the rear as you can get to not throw off the speedo. A tire 24-25" tall in the front gives a nice stance, then you can play with ride height to finish the look. /:\
It looks from your avatar pic that your fenders might be flared beyond stock, which is good for what you want to do as you only need to be concerned with backspace for rubbing against the frame/suspension. I always liked my tires even with my fenders (it's the law in many states) others like to let 'em hang out. To each his own. Wheels with 3 1/2 to 4" of backspace will clear everything just fine with one exception. The caliper. Most wheel companies make their center sections flat which means you need a spacer to make the wheel sit flush on the hub and turn. If you pick a wheel that requires a spacer, you MIGHT be able to use a 4 1/2" backspace (a 3/16th inch spacer takes back over half of the last 1/2" of backspace). Make sure the studs are long enough with the wheel/spacer combo. You want enough threads to equal or exceed the size of the stud (ie; a half inch stud should thread a min. of 1/2" into the lug, more is better). Another caution about backspace. Although you'd think you just measure from the flush center to where a straight edge intersects, not all wheel companies do this depending on the amount of bead lip. With flared fenders 10" wide rears and 8" fronts should look good and not sacrifice cornering. (Putting skinny fronts on might give you a Pro Stock Drag look, but you won't want to push it in the corners)
Not discouraged yet? Good. The last hurdle is that most tire companies don't offer much of a selection in wide 15" tires. BFG and Mickey Thompson still do but be careful with the M/T's as many of their tires are bias ply so you might get the look you want and a ride you don't. Stick with the Sportsman Radial (S/R) if you use them. You want a tire as close to 27" tall in the rear as you can get to not throw off the speedo. A tire 24-25" tall in the front gives a nice stance, then you can play with ride height to finish the look. /:\
these are the sizes on my vette now
rear p245/60r15
fronts p215/70r15
so with everything you just said... since these fit now.. the new ones will fit also?? i want the skinnyer ones in the front myabe a 15x7 and a 15x8 in the rear. I assume there are spacers now.. i need to take the wheels off and look!!! thanks for the lesson!!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
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From: Ontario
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
The second # is the rim or tire bead width. On my 70 with 15x8 rims I have 245/60/15 Michelin's. They look good and are about as wide as one can go on an 8" rim.
Check the tire company web sites . They have charts showing the recommended tire & rim width combinations.
Fred
Check the tire company web sites . They have charts showing the recommended tire & rim width combinations.
Fred
w/the first part but the 255/60/15 was a factory option tire that replaces the 225/70/15. I know a few guys who have 275/60/15's on the 15x8 which is the max for that rim. If you were to put 275/60/15's on the rear I would use 15x10 on the back & 15x8 on the front w/245 or 255's.
