What's the largest 15" tire wheel combo for a totally stock wheel well? Also, what's the backspacing for that?

15x8 4.5 inches of backspace with a 275-60-15 tire. Works alright, rubs slightly on gnarly bumps. I have 15x7's on my 65 right now 3.5 inches of backspace, with a 255-60 on the rear, i actually like the 15x7's better because I have em on all 4 corners so although my front tires are skinnier than my rears, from the side, the wheel dish is all equal and I think it looks alot better that way.(MHO) Anyway, good luck!

------------------
Russ (or Steve)
1965 Malibu 283/PG/A/C (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/SteveD64SSside.jpg)
Now 283/TH-350 soon to be 383/TH-350
My Homepage (Updated 5/31/2001) (http://www.angelfire.com/ca4/chevelle/)
Team Chevelle Member #71

Jimmy,

The rear rim width should be either a 7" with 4.5" backspacing or an 8" with 5" backspacing to place it in the center of the wheel well. I have 255/45R17 tires on 17X8 with 5" bs rims. I have 1" clearance on the outside without rolling the wheel lip and 3/4" on the inside. Excellent fit on rear.

You might be able to run 275s but you would need to roll the wheel lip and you might have rubbing problems when cornering.

I recommend you take care of your rear suspension bushings to prevent a loose or sloppy suspension from ruining new rims and tires.

The front rim width should be a 7" with 4.5" backspacing. I have 8" with 5" backspacing, but if I did it over, I would go with the 7" width. The tire is close to the outside edge of the wheelhouse, the 7" would bring it 0.5" inward away from the outside edge. I have 235/45R17 tires on the 17X8 with 5" bs rims. I have rubbing when the wheel is pushed up into the wheelwell at full turn lock, such as when backing out of the driveway. I have 1" lowering springs on the front so this alos contributes to the rubbing. I have no rubbing problems under normal driving conditions.

------------------
Brian TC#1092, ACES#4374
---------------------------------------------------------
1964 Malibu SS Convertible (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/65elcamino64.jpg) (Garage Queen) Before Restoration (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/65elcamino64a.jpg)
1965 El Camino (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/65elcamino1b.jpg) (Daily Driver) Before Restoration (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/65elcamino1a.jpg)
1981 Corvette (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/65elcamino81.jpg) (Sidelined for repairs)

Thanks guys! Brian, those old Chevies came a loooooooong way in your hands! Nice job on both. Why the resto on the conv and the 'rodded' route on the Camino? Just curious.

The convertible was my first project and is a matching numbers vehicle. Its only a 283cid, PG, and 3:08 rear drivetrain, not much performance. It only took 2 years to restore, of course I wasn't married then.

The El Camino had a '66 327 engine, the wrong wheels, and had body filler on every panel, including the roof which had been drilled for a roof mount antenna. It had a wooden golf tee held in place by duct tape to plug the hole. So it was not matching numbers to begin with. I was driving it daily at the time I started to restore it and didn't need or want another garage queen. It had a 327cid PG, and 3:73 rear which makes for good acceleration, so I wanted to add more performance when I rebuilt the engine. At this time I was more interested in hot rodding it than going stock.

I have more fun with the Elky than the Chevelle. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif