does any one know which rim and tire combo would safely fill the wheel wells on a 71 chevelle with a stock ride height and axle width? I seem to have zero tire knowledge!

Sean, run on search on fat rubber, or big tires and you'll come up with a wealth of knowledge. This topic is very popular and you'll find lots of posts on it. In your search you may want to limit it to the "Wheels and Tires" forum, where questions like this are usually asked. BTW, with the right backspacing, you can get pretty big meat in your wheel wells.

[This message has been edited by Gene Chas (edited 07-26-99).]

Sean, use 15X10" wheels with 5.5" backspacing, and then wrap em with a 275-60-15 tire. This combo will give your car a healthy looking 'behind'. On 70-72 wheel wells, (from what I have seen and heard) if you go with anything wider than that (tires), prepare to either roll the inner wheel well lip, be forced to install spring spacers to jack up the rear to clear the wider tires OR go with minitubs. Right now, I am using McCreary 285-60-15 dirt tires on a set of Weld ProStar 15X10 wheels and I had to roll the lip for clearance. The wheel well was touching the tire by about 1/4" and only on moderate suspension travel (ie. bumps and dips). It left nice streaks across the tires sidewall and sounds really bad while rubbing. Hope this helps.

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70' Malibu - 383 'Dental Gas' Inhaling Stroker! Gold Member #39
Chevellz Alwayz!

On my 71 I have 275/60/15 mounted on 15x8's with 4 1/2 backspace. No rubbing or anything even with 6 people in the car and a trunk full of tools and luggage. Click on the link bellow to take a look.

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JT
71 SS 350 soon to be Vortec 355 then a 454
www.angelfire.com/co/KellyMotorsports (http://www.angelfire.com/co/KellyMotorsports)

Thanks to everyone!Wes, that rear tire config. sounds perfect.JT our chevelles started their lives out the same. Same gears same lovely open diff. and 2-barrel carb. Which is kinda cool because we have been able to see,feel,and hear every upgade we make!Very cool pics at your chevelle site.