I'm going to be buying a new set of tires and wheels for my 64 Two Door Wagon. I think someone told me a while back that 15x8 welds with a 5 1/2" backspace will work with a set of 275x60x15 tires. Does anyone know if this combo will fit up under the wagon? TIA!!

1 more thing. Does anyone know how to get in touch with Bob Hudson. He's the guy that has/had the silver 64 2 door wagon with the 540 in it from PN. that moved to FL.

Sounds like the info you have should work. I can tell you that on my car (same as yours), I've had a few different combos:

15X8 Vette rally, 5 1/4 B.S. (Wheel Vintiques custom B.S.) with 255/60/15 BFG's - nice fit, no rubbing.

15X8 Crager Superlites, 5 1/2 B.S. w/ 255/70/15 BFG's - still good clearance while test-fitting, but never drove the car with them on.

17X8 Boyds, 5 1/4 B.S. w/ 275/40/17 BFG's - these ran a little cozy near wheelwell lip, but again, never drove on them.

My latest setup will use the Boyds and 255/45/17 Nitto's. Please note, however, that all the above combos were in conjunction with using a wider '68 up GM 12 bolt "O" axle, which I'm told is about 1" wider than the '64-7 rear ends. That is likley why my 275's were snug to the outside.

I still wave the above-mentioned Superlite setup (with front 15X6, 205/70/15 BFG's) if you're interested. I also temporarily have the correct width axle under my car right now, and would be happy to bolt them up and snap some pics if that will help you - just let me know. Heck, if you're still in Cincy, you could come to Indy and bolt them on your car!

Hope this helps,
Augie

Augie,

Thanks for the reply,
How wide is your rear end from backing plate's? I haven't measured mine yet to see what the width of it is. I know that 68-72 12 bolts are 1" wider and I need to get under my car and do some measuring. I already have a deal with a guy on the wheels but thanks for the offer on the Cragers. I just need to figure out which rear end is in the car so I can see how much tire I can get under her.

I plan to strip & prep the "O" axle for paint sometime this week. I'll measure it and post the results.

Thanks,
Augie

Thank you, Sir

Originally posted by bottlerat:
[QB] I'm going to be buying a new set of tires and wheels for my 64 Two Door Wagon. I think someone told me a while back that 15x8 welds with a 5 1/2" backspace will work with a set of 275x60x15 tires. Does anyone know if this combo will fit up under the wagon? [/QUOTE]


I have a 2 dr wagon with 265/50-15 BFG T/A radials on 15x8 w/ 5" BS.
This is with original rear far as I know.
Fits nice, but I wonder about 275's, probably ok just a little cozier.
The 5 1/2" back space concerns me.
If it's local I'd sure want to make purchase depend on a test fit to be sure it fits.
64's are usually tight at fender lip because a lot of popular wheels don't, or didn't, have the required backspace.
At 5 1/2" BS it might rub inboard side of inner fender.
BTW: Wheel Vintiques does a pretty nice job on custom backspace. They might ask if your're sure!
I asked for 5" BS and took the wheels out of the box and they were dead on.

I do have a friend that manages a local tire chain. I'm going to take the car up there and do some measuring and test fitting. I need to get as much tire under this thing as possible so I can try to get it to hook when I take out to the track for test and tune.


One other question, I would like to run a 15x4 or 5 inch rims on the front. What back spacing would be correct for this width of rim.

OK, I think I have it figured out. After talking to Bob Hudson I found out that a 15X8 with 5 1/2" backspace will work. Unfortunately Weld does not make a 5" backspace Draglite. I think they will work with a 275X60X15 tire. I may have to use a 3/8" to 1/4" spacer but I think they will fit.

Just to make sure. I'm going to go up to my buddy's tire shop and do some test fitting. I'll take a bunch of photo's and post them so you all can see for yourself in case you are trying to do the same thing. Stay Tuned

I measured my axle from outside of axle flange to outside of axle flange (without drums installed), which was 60 7/8". I now have this axle bolted under my new frame (for now) with the rear Crager setup mentioned above installed. There's about 3/4" clearance per side to the closest point on the frame. I would expect to see a little more with the drums installed.

http://img57.exs.cx/img57/2175/104_0497.jpg

Another thing to consider with a lot of backspace is to watch the clearance to the lower end of your shocks. Mine's pretty tight with the 15" wheels, but will be using 17's that will help gain around an inch of clearance in this area.

Hope this helps!
Augie

I've been thinking about this and I've decided to go with the 15X8 with 5" backspace in the rear and 15X4 in th front Chevy Ralley's by Wheel Vintinque's. That way I'm almost possitive that I can get a 275x60x15 under the car. I like the way the car looks with Ralleys and even after I paint it I'm going to keep a stock look. I think the ralleys will work out nice. What the heck if I change my mind later on. I not out that much cause these wheels are pretty cheap.