ScubaJKD

Sorry for the tire post. I know this topic gets beat to death but I could use some help. I have a buddy who wants to sell me his Vintage Wheel Works 16 x 8 inch rims. They are mouted with BFG COMP TA 255x16x50. Vintage wheel works says I need 245X16X50 tires on the front. Does anyonw have any experience running 255x16x50 tires on 16 inch rims on the front ? Do they rub ?. Also Vintage wheel works recommends a 3/8 inch spacer or machine the calipers for clearance. Has anyone used these spacers, or machined your calipers for clearance ? Thanks for your input guys.

73 LS-4

I think 245/50r16's are the biggest you'll get on the front without having to worry much about rubbing, the 255's will fit but will occasionally rub on the front on the back however it's not a problem except you may have to tie the parking brake cable out of the way. My 245/50r16's on the front rubbed only once on a hard left turn on a bolt on the frame, haven't noticed it doing it ever since. Try to avoid spacers if you can, I'm running the torque thrust 2's in a 16X8 with 4" backspacing and they clear the calipers without any modifications albeit they don't clear by a whole lot. One of these days I'll post pics with the new wheels and tires

:cheers:
Pat Kunz

ScubaJKD

Thanks Pat,
I have the VB transverse spring adjustable suspension. It will allow me to raise or lower the ride hieght. Do you think this would allow me to adjust up and get the 255X16 to fit upfront ? Thanks

73 LS-4

I don't think that's going to help you much since it's not so much the height that's the problem as it's the wheels width. A 255 will normally be about a 1/4" wider on either side then a 245 or a 1/2" wider total. Now if you raise or lower the suspension you might be able to get the widest part of the tire to center up on a slightly narrower part of the frame, but I doubt you could adjust it enough to keep it from hitting altogether without making the cars ride height look a little funny. A 255/50r16 is approximately 26"s tall + or- .2 so it's probably a litle shorter then what you would be running stock. I plan on lowering my car a little bit to make up the extra room. what size tire are you running currently?

:cheers:
Pat Kunz

ScubaJKD

Pat I am running the Factory Ralleys right now. 255/60/15 front and rear with no rubbing. This was prior to the front suspension upgrade with transverse spring, sway bar, A-arms, spreader bar, and bilstien shocks.

73 LS-4

If you have 255's on the front already I'd think you should be OK then, since a 255 in section width is the same width at it's widest point no matter what height rim it's on, the width of the rim would effect this but not the height. 70 Stingray is running 255/50r16's on the front of his with the same rims I am, he says his rubbed occasionally but only under a full lock and not bad, I went with the 245's on the front to be on the safe side plus I like a little stagger front to back. The clearance issue on the front seems to vary some between each individual car as I kinda picked up on while I've been on here. Hopefully 70 Stingray will hop in here to give his personal account of 255/50r16's all around.

:cheers:
Pat Kunz