How much backspace?
 

How much backspace do I need to run a 225\70 tire on 15" rims? This is for a '63 Cat with disc brakes.

on the front or rear?

Disc brakes on the front only but need the backspacing for both front and rear.

63 Pontiac -

I run 4" BS with 7" wheels on front with discs - 22570R15 Tire

5.25" BS rear with 8" wheels - 25570R15 Tire

Hope this helps

Dave B.

I used 4-1/2" back space on my new 7" chrome wheels from Wheels Of Steel. I should of went to 5".
More backspace = less scrub-radius = better handling.
http://www.custombuiltsteelwheels.com/

Hey Jeff:

It's like if you want wheels - you'll find them somewhere in the Central Valley.

I run a different disc / caliper system on my '63 so all I could manage was 4" BS - sounds like you can get 4 - 1/2' with the Scarebird set-up?

I'm looking for a clock lens for the '64 circular dash instrument gauge package.

Dave B.

Dave,
Isn't that something that all the wheel people seem to be in California, just like the old days.
I have the "old style" Scarebird system with the Caddy hat rotor. I could of got a 5" B.S. in there but didn't want to push it. The wheel guy even said "are you sure you want 4-1/2, thats a lot".
FWIW that guy at Wheels Of Steel was a good guy to deal with. Its a one man operation.

I think I have the lens. I just wrote it down so I'll remember to check (Yep, I'm that old).

Are you the Dave thats all through the Smoke Signals.
The new Smoke Signals is great!

Jeff:

Yes - Thanks for the support!

We are continually trying to make things better - hope to see you in Spearfish in 2008 - it's going to be one hell of a POCI Convention!!!!!!!

Dave B.

BTW - 5" would be a lot of BS on the front

How do you measure for backspace? I want to run a 18x8 wheel on my car but the rear of my 65 Catalina poses problems. I like the rally II's I have but I do like the more modern look. I was going to go with 18's in the front and 20 in the rear but I think 18's will be just fine.

Does this make sense?

Dave B.

That makes sense but I know there is a way you measure from the front lip of the quarter to the rear of the wheel house or something. I know you have to account for the shock mount and all.

Thanks for the info. Stockton Wheel made me a pair of 15x7's with 4.5" backspace using the centers out of 14's, I'm going to pick those up in a couple weeks and drop off the 2nd pair. I'll have the 2nd pair done the same way and powder coated black. I've been wanting to run poverty caps but held off on using the new clips I have in the 14's because I didn't want to ruin the clips when I tried to take them back out.

Jeff, are you still running 225\70's?

Dave B., I saw your '63 at the Back to the 50's show in Minn. this summer but you weren't there at the time. Stopped by a couple more times but never did catch up with you. Don't know if you saw it but there was a really nice nocturne blue '63 hardtop there that had the poverty caps. I think that's what finally pushed me to get mine done. How about we get together at POCI next summer and get a group pic in front of Devil's Tower? Maybe Deadhead will bring his '63 wagon.

Sorry I missed you at 50's - some neat iron there huh? I might have missed the blue '63 - it's overwhelming there with 11,000 cars.

Sounds like a great idea - Devil's Tower group shot - can Jeff come along even though he has a '64? We'll stop in Hulett, WY too for a cold one! How's that sound?

Dave B.

Dave,
I checked the attic today for that lens to no avail, tomorrow I'll check the shed. I should have one from my old set of gauges.

63, Yes, but I'm running the V rated 225/70-15 Firestone Firehawk PV-41 (pursuit vehicle) tires. An all around better tire then the Firehawk 500.
I bought them here.
http://www.tires-easy.com/start.html

I'd love to attend this convention. Looks like a lot if open road out that way.