Can anyone help me figure out the widest tire I can fit under the back on my 68 Chevelle? I have Cragar SS wheels
15 X 10". Not sure of the back spacing. Right now I'm running BFG T/A radials size 275X60R15 and I seem t have a bit more room under he fender wells. Also, what's a good sticky tire...I'm running a modified roller motor LS6 454 and these BFG T/A radials don't get good traction at all.

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I am in the process of deciding on tires and wheels for my '68 as well.
If you do a search on this forum, you will get a lot of info.

From what I have seen, it seems like you can go up to 295 tire on 5-5 1/2 backspace wheel.

As far as to what tires, again do a search to find a bunch of info, but it depends on what you want to do with the car. What I got out of looking at all posts was the BFGs are good for street driving, but not offer as good traction as MT ET streets, and Hoosier DOT aproved slicks. I think I am going with the Hoosiers.

Hope this helps some.

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www.yannis68chevelle.com (http://www.yannis68chevelle.com)

Thanks Yannis. Of course I want the tire that gives me the best traction and rideability too. Is here such a tire? All I know is that if I don't behave this thing breaks loose big time! I've never driven it in the rain nor do I plan to, but you never know when you may get caught in the elements. I guess the BFG have one quality....I probabay won't break rear ends when the tires break loose so easily!

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Sounds like we are in similar situarions, as far as driving in the rain goes et cetera http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

You should decide what you will be doing with your car mostly. For me, the BFG would probably be the best bet, since I will not me racing the car that often, but I will try the Hoosiers first. Someone else mentioned that Nittos are have some decent tires the N555 or something like that. They have a good web page so you can check them out as well.

Good luck.

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www.yannis68chevelle.com (http://www.yannis68chevelle.com)

Oops, double post...sorry
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Dale McIntosh
TC Gold #92/ACES #1709
67SS & 67 Elky
Dale's Place (http://www.dalesplace.com)
Team 67 (http://www.bull-enterprises.com/dalesplace/team67/index.htm)

[This message has been edited by Dale McIntosh (edited 12-08-2001).]

Don't know about the driving quality, but check a friends old 68 Elky (http://www.bull-enterprises.com/dalesplace/htm/friends_cars/friends.htm) with 20x10 and 17x8 TTIIs. Those 275-35x20's out back had some meat on them.

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Dale McIntosh
TC Gold #92/ACES #1709
67SS & 67 Elky
Dale's Place (http://www.dalesplace.com)
Team 67 (http://www.bull-enterprises.com/dalesplace/team67/index.htm)

My 68 has had 315-35-17 bfg comp t/a's. On the rear. Total outside width is 12 1/8".
The rim was a 17x9.5" w/ a 5.5" backspace.
The only problem after I had to move the tailpipe in was on hard turns the tire would slightly rub the inner wheel well. What I plan to do the next time I use them is put in a wheel spacer from a '84ish Camaro. They are about a 3/16" thick plate. That should solve the rub on hard corners.

[This message has been edited by mild68ss (edited 12-08-2001).]

mild68ss, it sounds like you have a 67 or earlier rear end. With a 17" wheel, you should easily be able to go with 6 inch backspacing on a 68 to 72 rear end. I could go with 6 1/4 but my rear end is offset about 1/8 inch to the right. I went with 6 inch backspacing on the 18 inch wheels I just ordered.

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Redrum (or Mike)
68 Corvette - 383 CI 427 HP
69 SS Chevelle being updated to Pro-Touring
97 Z-28



[This message has been edited by Redrum (edited 12-08-2001).]

Redrum, I believe my car has the original rearend.
Do you have the measurement for drum to drum on 68-72's?
What size tires did you get for the 18's?

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ss396 (http://chevelles.com/feature/feb2000.html)

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by mild68ss:
Redrum, I believe my car has the original rearend.
Do you have the measurement for drum to drum on 68-72's?
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

* 1964-67 Chevelle rear ends were manufactured by the Chevrolet Gear and Axle Division. The housing measures 56.5 inches from flange to flange, and with the brake drums in place, the total width is 60.5 inches.
* 1968-72 Chevelle rear end housings measure 58.5 inches from flange to flange, and with the brake drums in place, the total width is 62.5 inches



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Dale McIntosh
TC Gold #92/ACES #1709
67SS & 67 Elky
Dale's Place (http://www.dalesplace.com)
Team 67 (http://www.bull-enterprises.com/dalesplace/team67/index.htm)
Integrity: If you have it, it doens't matter - If you don't have it, it doesn't matter.

I just ordered the tires and wheels so I won't be able to do the test fit for a week or two.

6 inch backspacing rear with 295/45/18 tires.
(28.4 inches tall)
5 1/8 backspacing front with 255/45/18 tires (27.1 inches tall)

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Redrum (or Mike)
68 Corvette - 383 CI 427 HP
69 SS Chevelle being updated to Pro-Touring
97 Z-28

Dale, thanks for the measurements. I'll verify as soon as I can get to it.
Redrum, I'd like to see the pix if you can send some.

Redrum,your 69 Chevelle sounds very interesting. I'm wanting to install 17x9 front wheels w/5" backspacing and 17x11 rears w/6" backspacing on a 69 SS Elky I'm looking at. Front tires would probably be in the range of 255-275 and the rear's would be a 315 sizing. A 335 on a 12" wide rim sounds better but I'm not sure about mini-tubbing an El Camino. Has anyone else done this to a 68-72 Elky,yet? The car I'm looking at buying has a show-quality bed so I'm not sure If I would want to re-do it.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Redrum:
I just ordered the tires and wheels so I won't be able to do the test fit for a week or two.
6 inch backspacing rear with 295/45/18 tires.
(28.4 inches tall)
5 1/8 backspacing front with 255/45/18 tires (27.1 inches tall)
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
What wheels are you going to run? Width? Backspacing? Why have you decided on a 45 aspect ratio,instead of a 40? Seems like using the 45 series would be defeating the purpose of using an 18" tire (short,stiff sidewall).



[This message has been edited by Clint44 (edited 12-17-2001).]

Mike, what wheels and tires (brand) did you order? Clint, he describes the backspacing info and I would guess that he went with the 45s to get the 28" tall tire. The 40s would have been 26" tall.

I want 28 inch tall tires for several reasons: I have lowered the car and want the stance to be what I planned; I have 4:11 gears and a 2004R tranny; I want 18 inch wheels but still expect a decent ride with the height of the sidewall on the 45 series tires (4.5 to 5 inches of sidewall).

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Redrum (or Mike)
68 Corvette - 383 CI 427 HP
69 SS Chevelle being updated to Pro-Touring
97 Z-28

Well I just mearsured and check the numbers on the rear end. What I have found is the rearend still appears to be the original. The numbers are KX0418B. 3.07 built April 18th. Buffalo. (The car is April built.) The measurement is 60" w/ drums.
I also have another 12 bolt that measures the same. The code is CFC041E. I couldn't find a break down of the code. I'm mostly positive it is the rear from a 71 Chevelle SS that was a friends dad's car since new.

Dale, where did you get your numbers?

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ss396 (http://chevelles.com/feature/feb2000.html)

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Dale McIntosh:
Don't know about the driving quality, but check a friends old 68 Elky (http://www.bull-enterprises.com/dalesplace/htm/friends_cars/friends.htm) with 20x10 and 17x8 TTIIs. Those 275-35x20's out back had some meat on them.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

how in the world did he fit 20's out back. i plan to run 17's in the back and 16's in the front. did it rub at all? im plannig on putting 17x9.5 in the rear and 16x8 in the front. WOW




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70 El Camino SS 396
3.73 with a 12 bolt

http://www.geocities.com/bodukess/my_elco_page.html

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by mild68ss:
Dale, where did you get your numbers?
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Lone Star Classics (http://www.netcolony.com/autos/theemissary/) has quite extensive interchange information for Chevelles.


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Dale McIntosh
TC Gold #92/ACES #1709
67SS & 67 Elky
Dale's Place (http://www.dalesplace.com)
Team 67 (http://www.bull-enterprises.com/dalesplace/team67/index.htm)
Integrity: If you have it, it doesn't matter - If you don't have it, it doesn't matter.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by boduke:
how in the world did he fit 20's out back. i plan to run 17's in the back and 16's in the front. did it rub at all? im plannig on putting 17x9.5 in the rear and 16x8 in the front. WOW
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
They were an easy fit and had plenty of room. The rears were 20x10 TT II's w/5.5" backspacing but 6" would have worked fine,also. Wheel diameter isn't necessarily the limiting factor but tire diameter usually is. A 68-72 Chevelle/El Camino wheelwell can handle a 30" tall tire if the wheel parameters are right so a 27.7" tall tire like my 275/35/20's were no problem.
The downside to using 20" rubber is the limited availability of tire sizes and the short aspect ratios make for a stiff ride. Not only that,you have to really watch for potholes to keep from damaging those expensive rims. 17's and 18's have an amazing array of tire sizes to choose from and would be my choice next time.

im looking at putting 17x10 in the back and 16x8 front. both ttII's of course

REDRUM.
Did your wheels and tires fit?

I am in the same boat. Looking to add 18"s to my 70 ElCo.

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