Hey Guys! I've come to the realization that the P245/60R-15 BFG's on the front of my 72 Chevelle SS are too big. I'm using American Racing Torq-Thrust D wheels, 15"x8.5" on all four corners. I have a set of new BFG P225/60R-15 tires, but am worried that a wheel that's 8.5" wide won't work with that tire. Do you think that using the 225's on that wheel is dangerous? I'm concerned about it blowing off the wheel during cornering. Thanks!

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Gregg Haskin
72 Chevelle SS
ZZ502 Crated RAT
Muncie M-20 4 speed
TEAM CHEVELLE #726 ACES #4486
"PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!"
“What the heck are all these extra nuts & bolts for?”

My 72 Chevelle SS Restoration Website: www.wcvt.com/~ghaskin (http://www.wcvt.com/~ghaskin)

Go to http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/ they have a PDF with rim sizes for specific tire sizes. Recommended for you tire is 6-8"

Later

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1967 El Camino
1970 El Camino SS/396

Why are you concerned that 245/60/15 BFGs are too big for the front? I'm presently using that size on 15 x 7 Rally wheels on the of my '69. I can't remember if the backspacing is 4" or 4 1/2". Whatever...there no rubbing of any kind. They fit perfectly. One thing; I doubt I'd use 15x8.5" on a 245, but they should still work, depending of course, on what backspacing they have.

Greg, thats the size Im using too...they are on 7" wheels, so maybe thats the difference...I have a 71....but I have no problems at all with rubbing or cornering. John

Larry-

I'm concerned because the tires are rubbing right now. With the combo of an 8.5" wheel & the 245's, plus the Hotchkis 2" lowering springs going in this weekend, it could only get worse. I think I can get away with 235's on this same wheel. I hate to buy another pair of Torq-thrusts (7")at $188 each.

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Gregg Haskin
72 Chevelle SS
ZZ502 Crated RAT
Muncie M-20 4 speed
TEAM CHEVELLE #726 ACES #4486
"PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!"
“What the heck are all these extra nuts & bolts for?”

My 72 Chevelle SS Restoration Website: www.wcvt.com/~ghaskin (http://www.wcvt.com/~ghaskin)

The problem with the Torq Thrusts is the backspacing is under 4". I believe they have about 3.9" backspace. That is not enough on a 8.5" rim for the front of your car. Go to the fitment section at www. americanracing.com They spec only 7" rims front and back however you already know the 8.5" work on the back. I wish they offered custom offsets on more than just the torq thrust twos.You may have to buy the 7" to get it worked out.

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I had the same situation on my 72. I had 15x8.5 American Racing 200S on mine with 245x60 all the way around and it looked neat but they rubbed. I eventually put 235x60 on the front whiched helped not only the rubbing but the handling. I wasn't crazy about putting 235's on a 8.5 inch wide wheel but it worked out ok.

www.Jeffry72.50megs.com (http://www.Jeffry72.50megs.com)

I gotta agree...it sounds like those 8.5" rims don't have enough backspacing. If 235s will fit like they, it's certainly cheaper than buying new wheels.

Yup, I'm gonna give the 235/50's a try on the same wheels. BFG rim size recommendation is 6.5-8.5 for 235's, so I'll be right at the max. Thanks all!

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Gregg Haskin
72 Chevelle SS
ZZ502 Crated RAT
Muncie M-20 4 speed
TEAM CHEVELLE #726 ACES #4486
"PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!"
“What the heck are all these extra nuts & bolts for?”

My 72 Chevelle SS Restoration Website: www.wcvt.com/~ghaskin (http://www.wcvt.com/~ghaskin)

I own a 1970 Chevelle SS, similar to the 71's, and with a little work, I've fit some serious road race tires in them.
In the font, I run p275/45 R17 tires, on 17*9.5 wheels, with 5.5" backspace. On the rear, with a 3" torque tech exhaust, I run p335/35 R17's on 17*11 wheels with 6 7/8" backspacing, and a 3/8" wheel spacer, and long-style .680 knurl moroso wheel studs. it works great, no issues, and the car is pretty low. I have some pictures of the car up, but I'll scan and make avail. ones of just the rear wheels.
side note, to fit the rears, instead of rolling the 1/4's, I took off the trim and used a cutting wheel to remove 1/2"+ of fender lip, then cut the steel trim with garden shears, (only lost one screw point for the trim), and then I reinstalled the trim with a little silicone. Looks normal, works great. I only advertise this for low-profile 70's, I have no idea how it it would work with different sizes wheels. I'll get the pics up saturday, lemme know if you want them..
(marvyg@aol.com)
Marv

GOOD LORD! Pictures man, we want pictures!!!!

Joe

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Joe Beyer
1969 Malibu Convertible (kinda)
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/convtrailer.jpg
Home Page (http://JRBeyer.tripod.com/index.html)

Yeah, that's what I was thinkin' too! http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif

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Gregg Haskin
72 Chevelle SS
ZZ502 Crated RAT
Muncie M-20 4 speed
TEAM CHEVELLE #726 ACES #4486
"PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!"
“What the heck are all these extra nuts & bolts for?”

My 72 Chevelle SS Restoration Website: www.wcvt.com/~ghaskin (http://www.wcvt.com/~ghaskin)

Im running 275/50/15's on all four coners of my lowered 71 Elky. Wheels are 15x8 with 4" backspacing. Just fit!
http://home1.gte.net/res096qi/index.htm

OOps...Wrong link http://www.chevelles.com/forum/redface.gif
http://home1.gte.net/res096qi/71elky.htm