There are some Eagle rims I have been wanting for some time. They look good and best of all, everyone and their mother doesn't have them. Anyway, the rear measurements worry me a bit. They would be used on my '70 Elky that is lowered appox 2" up front and 1" in the rear, I am using plain-jane gas shocks on all four corners. The 15x8 rims only come in one setting for the required 5x4.75" lug pattern I need. They measure 15x8, -17mm offset (whatever that means) and have 3.75" of backspacing. I want to use either 275/50/15 or 275/60/15 radials.

What do you think guys, will they work for what I need? Thank you for your time guys.

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Cable Bright
-'70 El Camino 454 (in progress)
-'91 Caprice 9C1
-'87 Camaro Z28 (305 just died, getting a 383 stroker)

"....alright, its a harp...and that's a dress"

-Kronk's evil shoulder angel

Hi, I've been looking into the same stuff for the past couple of days and from what I've found in this site is that if you want to use a 15x8 wheel in the rear with a 275 wide tire without cutting and hammering you need a wheel with 4 1/2" backspacing. I'm sure there are exceptions, but that's the general conclusion. I also read that 15x10's with a 5 1/2" backspacing may allow you to run 295's.
Yesterday I tried a 15x8 Vette wheel with about 3 1/2" backspacing on my '70 MC and with a 225 tire had less than 1/8" clearance on the fender lip and nearly 3" between the tire and the frame. I should poin out that no weight was on the tire, so it would probably get tighter. I'm going to tape some 2" cardboard extensions to a 15x8 wheel with abot a 3 1/2" backspace and see what it looks like. I figure if the 2" is added on the inside of the car that should make it fairly close to a 15x10 with 5 1/2 bs.

I forgot to answer your question...I think (don't take my word on it) that with the wheels you describe you'll be rubbing the rear fender lip. As far as the front goes, I haven't made it that far...

[This message has been edited by Glenn1018 (edited 04-28-2002).]

[This message has been edited by Glenn1018 (edited 04-28-2002).]

I really don't think that 3.75" of backspacing will cut it. It's just not enough. the first set of wheels I had on my '70 (velle), I could stick a baseball bat between the frame and the wheel, yet I was rubbing the fender lip.
I run (and not saying this would fit) a 17*11 with 6 7/8" backspacing for a p335 tire. I had to run a 3/8 wheelspacer, but, better than buying a new wheel. It would seem to me that big tires take enough, and the correct, backspacing.
Sorry you most likely can't fit the wheels you want.

Matt

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by bluerebl:
-17mm offset (whatever that means) a
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Negative offset - When the mounting surface is closer to the disk/drum (inside) of the wheel. Or the mounting pad is behind the centerline of the wheel. This type of wheel is commonly referred to as a deep-dish wheel. This offset is common in older vehicles and many of today's trucks and will bring the wheel/tire combination out away from the vehicle.

Check the American Racing Site (http://www.americanracing.com/faqs/) and click the link on Wheel Terminology.



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TC Gold #92/ACES #1709
67 SS & 67 Elky
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Okay, I guess I am just stupid tonight because I still don't get it. So let me ask another question, does the -17mm offset change the backspacing? In this case does it help or hurt me? Thanks guys.

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Cable Bright
-'70 El Camino 454 (in progress)
-'91 Caprice 9C1
-'87 Camaro Z28 (305 just died, getting a 383 stroker)

"....alright, its a harp...and that's a dress"

-Kronk's evil shoulder angel

Yes, offset determines backspacing. Zero offset mean the wheel is centered where it bolts to the brake drum. Offset means that this point is not centered in the wheel. I forget which, but negative offset and positive offset will move the center of the wheel in or out relative to where it bolts to the drum. In this case, the offset (and backspacing) are positioning the wheel offcenter towards the outside of the car, which is why the tires will probably contact your fender lip.

Im running 275/50/15's on my 15x8 with 4" backspacing. My car is lowered 2" in the rear. I had to bend the chrome trim lip up but not the fender lip. Just barely touches if im carrying a heavy load, else OK.
http://home1.gte.net/res096qi/71elky.htm