Fender to tire gap?

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Dec 24, 2008 | 09:27 AM

dburgjohn

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Melting Slicks

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From: Dyersburg TN

Fender to tire gap?

What should be the stock gap between the bottom of the fender lip and the top of the tire on a 1981?

Thanks for any help or photos

Merry Christmas

Happy Holidays for those who have not figured it out yet

Dec 24, 2008 | 10:04 AM

Easy Mike

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From: Southbound

Cruise-In II Veteran

'Bout that. What series tires are you running?

Dec 24, 2008 | 10:43 AM

Paul L

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From: Ontario

That would depend on the size of the tire.

Dec 24, 2008 | 11:04 AM

Glensgages

Race Director

Joined: Jan 2003

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From: State of Confusion

my '82 has 255/60R-15 BFG Radial T/A tires, about 26.500" in diameter:
my gap is 1.500" front, and 2.125" rear, from the top-corner of the shoulder to the center of the wheel-well.

Hope this helps!

Dec 24, 2008 | 02:19 PM

jim2527

Race Director

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From: Tampa, Florida

You should mearsure from the lip to the center of the wheel....

Dec 26, 2008 | 01:42 PM

larrywalk

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From: St Louis MO

In my opinion, the gap should be uniform all the way around the tire with the steering centered. Small tires will have a larger gap; large tires a smaller gap, but uniform all around looks best.

Dec 26, 2008 | 04:25 PM

JOs71Corvette

Intermediate

Joined: Sep 2008

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From: Haymarket VA

I have about 1/2" in front but the front right tire rubs while turning. The left one doesn't? I'm thinking the guy that had the car before me got a passenger rim that has the wrong offset? Has this happened to anyone else?

Dec 26, 2008 | 08:11 PM

TheSkunkWorks

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From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray

IMHO if it's worth doing , it's worth doing right. ...and fender gap is just NOT the correct reference for ride height. Here's both an '80 and '81 AIM trim height page. The only '81 page I have isn't in inches, but maybe someone here with an '81 AIM will post one that is.

Best references are "Z" and "D" suspension heights, as they aren't effected by non-original tire sizes and/or worn body mounts. If you have sufficient clearance to run lower, I'd make sure the front "Z" height is not higher than the rear "D".

Sorry, but this is just one of my pet peeves.

Last edited by TheSkunkWorks; Dec 26, 2008 at 08:13 PM.