Chaps66
Newbie
Posts: 5
Loc: Indiana
Reg: 08-31-22
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02-03-24 09:32 AM - Post#2866537
Hi all, looking for some feedback/input regarding wheel size recommendations. I've got a 66 Belair 2-door sedan and have converted over from 4 drums to 4 disc. Currently have steelies on all 4 corners - 235/75-R15 on front and 235/70-R15 on the rear. I know i want to switch up to a rally wheel for the upcoming spring and summer cruising, but torn as to what what size I should go with. I've read many go with 15X8 all the way around and many go with 15X7 as well. Then there's the decision on tires too. I'd like something that has a good stance but more importantly drives/handles great. Hoping to hear what has worked best for you all (and perhaps what to avoid as well!) Thanks in advance.
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 Magnetocheck
"2nd Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 481
Age: 69
Loc: Charlotte, NC, USA
Reg: 09-05-22
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02-03-24 09:42 AM - Post#2866538
In response to Chaps66
FWIW, I bought the car with wider wheels and tires in the back, but I wanted a more stock look, so I switched to 15 x 7 rally wheels and 215 tires. I did spend the money for US-made wheels after reading poor reviews on the Chinese-made ones. The tires I chose are not great quality, but I wanted WWs and the Iron Man tires were less than half the price of the BFG Silvertowns. Handling was decent with them but it really improved once I upgraded my shocks to KYB Gas-a-justs all around and put a bigger sway bar on the front.
Bob
'65 Impala SS 396 Convertible
Member, National Impala Association |
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SSuper Dave
Member
Posts: 548
Loc: Pearland TX
Reg: 10-02-05
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02-03-24 08:21 PM - Post#2866549
In response to Magnetocheck
I've got 215-70-15 Ironman whitewalls on my '68 Caprice and have been very happy with them. But as you said, shcoks made the car,I lucked intosome brand new Bilsteins for half price from anabandoned resto project. I'd have had a hard time paying teh $700 for new ones.
1968 Caprice coupe, 327/275, TH400, Ash Gold/Ivy Gold, Tach Dash, Tilt, Buckets, Console, AM/FM, Rear Defog, Disc and Rallys.
1970 El Camino, 350, TH400, 12 bolt posi, a blank slate! |
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 toro455
"9th Year" Gold Supporting Member
Posts: 1318
Loc: Western NY
Reg: 06-15-02
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02-04-24 03:50 AM - Post#2866555
In response to SSuper Dave
Dave,
Here's a link to the topic where another member took a photo of your car. It wasn't specifically to show the wheels and tires but it's not bad for seeing them:
https://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/showtopic.php?t...
On the topic of wheels I think the original solution makes the wheels look a little too tucked in (at least in 1968). It's been too long ago since I chose my wheels but at the time I adjusted the offset and the width which pushed the tires out a bit.
Scott
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GreatNorthWoods
"9th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 1608
Age: 82
Loc: Littleton, New Hampshire,...
Reg: 03-31-02
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02-04-24 04:03 AM - Post#2866557
In response to Chaps66
I like your present tire size choice and would go with 15x8 wheels all around. However, I would put the 70 series tire on the front and the 75 on the rear. When you get ready to replace the tires, go with 70s or 75s all around. That way the tires could be rotated for better tread life. 
Vern
1953 Chevy Belair Sport Coupe - 355 Chevy V8, 700-R4, 4-wheel disc brakes, Ididit column, cruise/tilt,'59 Vette Steering Wheel, A/C
1930 DeSoto CK Business Coupe- 350 Chevy Crate V8, 4-wheel disc brakes, TH400, S-10 Rear, Heidt's IFS, A/C |
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bobb
Super Senior Member
Posts: 6686
Loc: paradise
Reg: 09-05-03
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02-04-24 11:30 AM - Post#2866566
In response to Chaps66
drives and handles great? that is subjective. taller tires give a softer ride, lower cruising rpm, and weaker brakes. shorter tires corner better, have a higher cruising rpm, but better off the line performance, and improve brake feel. wider tires handle better but steering may be a bit twitchy, and eat more fuel. narrow tires track better, have better fuel milage, but lack performance. lots to think about before spending a bunch of money. i didnt look it up but i think 17s might be a good compromise with a better tire selection. last bit, if you dont drive much get tires with a low tredwear number like 200. they will have better traction.
| 70 L camino, grampa engine, g-force 5 spd, road rage suspension. Pray first before all else fails. |
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Brickwhite
Contributor
Posts: 371
Loc: Colorado, Denver
Reg: 09-05-19
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02-06-24 09:17 AM - Post#2866640
In response to bobb
What disk brakes did you use?
I used C3 vette disks up font and has some issues with Steel wheels fitting.
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 docjns1
"4th Year" Gold Supporting Member
Posts: 411
Loc: upstate NY
Reg: 11-12-19
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02-06-24 06:11 PM - Post#2866656
In response to Brickwhite
I like Vern's idea of moving 75s to the rear, a smidge taller for same '70' profile. If you keep the same just be sure you get same offset. When I did my disc conversion it pushed fronts out 3/8"-1/2" and tires clipped front lwr edge of fender when turning (235/60R15, 8"). I ended up going to 215/65R15 on 7" for the front to maintain tire height & moved the 235s to the rear (p.o. had 265s on the rear, looked impressive but with 3:31s and the 1 wheel peel not really so much). Not tucked in too far and no outer rub. Yes, 'Chupacabra' tires
Steve
*********
'65 Impala SS, Crocus Yellow/blk
327 / 300 L74
M11 3 on the tree
12 bolt 3.31 open dif |
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GreatNorthWoods
"9th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 1608
Age: 82
Loc: Littleton, New Hampshire,...
Reg: 03-31-02
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02-07-24 04:03 AM - Post#2866671
In response to docjns1
Nice Impala! 
Vern
1953 Chevy Belair Sport Coupe - 355 Chevy V8, 700-R4, 4-wheel disc brakes, Ididit column, cruise/tilt,'59 Vette Steering Wheel, A/C
1930 DeSoto CK Business Coupe- 350 Chevy Crate V8, 4-wheel disc brakes, TH400, S-10 Rear, Heidt's IFS, A/C |
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 62sedan
Very Senior Member
Posts: 4253
Age: 73
Loc: Above the red Texas dirt
Reg: 08-12-02
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02-07-24 07:11 AM - Post#2866672
In response to GreatNorthWoods
Yes, 'Chupacabra' tires.
Care to expound on this?? Asking for a friend.
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DHMelton
"2nd Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 365
Loc: Central Arizona
Reg: 04-10-22
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02-07-24 08:25 AM - Post#2866674
In response to 62sedan
Cooper Cobra
Doug
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Magnetocheck
"2nd Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 481
Age: 69
Loc: Charlotte, NC, USA
Reg: 09-05-22
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 02-07-24 10:06 AM - Post#2866677
In response to DHMelton
Never heard that one ! 
Bob
'65 Impala SS 396 Convertible
Member, National Impala Association |
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65_Impala
Very Senior Member
Posts: 5027
Reg: 12-29-02
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02-07-24 11:21 AM - Post#2866680
In response to Chaps66
I found that a 27" diameter tire in the front in the 235-245 section width and a 29" diameter tire in the rear in the 255-275 range will clear OK after picking the right rim width and offset. That doesn't help you much but it gives you a little idea of the tire sizes you could pick. 8" wide rims with 0 offset worked for me.
I did find that dumping the 15" tires and going to 18" made a big difference in how the car drives. Changed from BFG's to Nitto tires. Unfortunately, the 15" tires available are pretty crappy compared to the offerings in the 18" plus sizes. Making it even worse, a $150 18" tire will ride and handle better than a $200 15" BGF. So, don't expect miracles changing between different 15" tires.
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DHMelton
"2nd Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 365
Loc: Central Arizona
Reg: 04-10-22
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02-07-24 11:35 AM - Post#2866681
In response to 65_Impala
I think you mean 0 offset, not 0 backspace...
I went with 17" tires because I could get a V speed rated tire for a lot less money than decent lower speed rated 14" or 15" tires.
Doug
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toro455
"9th Year" Gold Supporting Member
Posts: 1318
Loc: Western NY
Reg: 06-15-02
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02-07-24 02:25 PM - Post#2866683
In response to DHMelton
Doug,
Like "65 Impala" wrote 18" now seems to be the most available diameter in tires now. It's almost as if 18" is like 15" was in the mid to late 80's. Around the early 2000's it seems like that it was 17's.
With a factory looking Chevy Rally I like the thin stripe white wall so I was recently searching for 18" white wall in a size that I thought would work. My search was for my 1968 but, as is the case for a lot of topics, the posts for 65-66 have some relevance to 1968 as well.
I probably won't change much to start with because years ago I did a lot of checking and ended-up getting a set of 15" rally wheels, altered offset, and BFG RWL tires which look pretty good. It's been so long ago though I don't recall the widths or offset now.
Scott
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DHMelton
"2nd Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 365
Loc: Central Arizona
Reg: 04-10-22
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02-07-24 03:13 PM - Post#2866686
In response to toro455
I picked 17 as a compromise as
It doesn't look like a rubber band tire, which just doesn't sit well with 1960s cars, IMO,
and once you start getting larger rims, the sidewall stats to stiffen even more, which doesn't work well with 1960s suspension technology/ride comfort.
I've got 17s on the Impala, the '79 308 (orig 14"), and my '61 Corvette (orig 15").
Doug
All 17", though diff tire profile on the 308.
Edited by DHMelton on 02-07-24 04:11 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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GreatNorthWoods
"9th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 1608
Age: 82
Loc: Littleton, New Hampshire,...
Reg: 03-31-02
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02-08-24 03:58 AM - Post#2866692
In response to docjns1
Rally wheels seem t look good on anything. I even put them on my 1930 DeSoto...
 Attachment: Z022.jpg (380.73 KB) 26 View(s)
Vern
1953 Chevy Belair Sport Coupe - 355 Chevy V8, 700-R4, 4-wheel disc brakes, Ididit column, cruise/tilt,'59 Vette Steering Wheel, A/C
1930 DeSoto CK Business Coupe- 350 Chevy Crate V8, 4-wheel disc brakes, TH400, S-10 Rear, Heidt's IFS, A/C |
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Magnetocheck
"2nd Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 481
Age: 69
Loc: Charlotte, NC, USA
Reg: 09-05-22
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 02-08-24 04:45 AM - Post#2866693
In response to GreatNorthWoods
Bob
'65 Impala SS 396 Convertible
Member, National Impala Association |
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Stsfld66
Newbie
Posts: 2
Reg: 03-18-21
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02-08-24 02:28 PM - Post#2866708
In response to Magnetocheck
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docjns1
"4th Year" Gold Supporting Member
Posts: 411
Loc: upstate NY
Reg: 11-12-19
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02-08-24 04:05 PM - Post#2866713
In response to DHMelton
Doug got it!
Just came about by accident one day saying Cooper Cobra kinda fast and thats what it sounded like in my mind
And thanks Vern, nice DeSoto also (that considered a MOPAR?)
Steve
*********
'65 Impala SS, Crocus Yellow/blk
327 / 300 L74
M11 3 on the tree
12 bolt 3.31 open dif |
Edited by docjns1 on 02-08-24 04:18 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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GreatNorthWoods
"9th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 1608
Age: 82
Loc: Littleton, New Hampshire,...
Reg: 03-31-02
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02-09-24 06:23 AM - Post#2866733
In response to docjns1
Yes, it is a Mopar, but it's Chevy powered!
Vern
Vern
1953 Chevy Belair Sport Coupe - 355 Chevy V8, 700-R4, 4-wheel disc brakes, Ididit column, cruise/tilt,'59 Vette Steering Wheel, A/C
1930 DeSoto CK Business Coupe- 350 Chevy Crate V8, 4-wheel disc brakes, TH400, S-10 Rear, Heidt's IFS, A/C |
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Brickwhite
Contributor
Posts: 371
Loc: Colorado, Denver
Reg: 09-05-19
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02-09-24 07:54 AM - Post#2866739
In response to GreatNorthWoods
15" on all my 60's cars.. You cannot go wrong!
17" to big, looks odd.. rides hard
15" on my old bmw too...
15" wires on the TR-4
Edited by Brickwhite on 02-09-24 08:13 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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