[tripwr1964]

Need some help picking a tire to go on a 15"x7" rally I w/ 4.25" BS. I am thinking the DB 60 series redline radials, 245/60R15 rear and 225/60R15 front. Will this work? Any pics? Thks Tim

[b-man]

Originally Posted by tripwr1964

Need some help picking a tire to go on a 15"x7" rally I w/ 4.25" BS. I am thinking the DB 60 series redline radials, 245/60R15 rear and 225/60R15 front. Will this work? Any pics? Thks Tim

I had that exact same combo on my '64 Tempest for a while, same tire sizes mounted on factory 15X7" Rally IIs (4-3/8" backspace).

Sorry, but I never took any pics when I had those on my car but take my word for it, fitting that wheel/tire combo on your car is a slam-dunk.

[tripwr1964]

Thanks B-man! I thought you might have experienced this combo.

[tripwr1964]

B-Man, I ended up with a set of steel rims 15"X7" with 4.5" backspace (going with poverty caps instead of Rally I's). Is this still going to work with 245/60 rear and 225/60front rubber? I have a stock '64 width differential. I was comfortable with a 4.25" or 4.375" BS, however 4.5" BS makes me think. thk Tim

[b-man]

Originally Posted by tripwr1964

B-Man, I ended up with a set of steel rims 15"X7" with 4.5" backspace (going with poverty caps instead of Rally I's). Is this still going to work with 245/60 rear and 225/60front rubber? I have a stock '64 width differential. I was comfortable with a 4.25" or 4.375" BS, however 4.5" BS makes me think. thk Tim

In all honesty, they'll fit even better now with a little more backspacing.

[Old Man Taylor]

A 4.5" backspace on a 7" wheel should be perfect.

[Dick Boneske]

If that 4.5" backspace is right, and I think it is, the rears will fit fine with clearance to spare. The fronts will fit fine, also. Do not be alarmed if the fronts hit the frame at the steering extremes when the car is jacked up. Even the stock tires will touch the frame and/or A arm when the suspension is fully extended and the steering is turned to either the left or right stop. You would never encounter this condition when driving the car.

I often wonder how many GTO, big Pontiac, and Firebirdowners have checked the front tire clearance when the car was jacked up and abandoned their wheels and/or tires when they would have been just fine.

[tripwr1964]

Thanks for all the help.
Another question. I am working on painting these body color (pinehurst green). Will liquid paint survive the tire installers machine? My original thought was powder coating, however, I am having a hell of a time matching the color.

[Dick Boneske]

The new tire machines will not damage the paint on you rims. Just be sure not to use very harsh cleaners on the fresh paint so it doesn't lose its gloss.

[tripwr1964]

ok dick, i wont worry about the tire install and just have them sprayed. thks

[b-man]

Originally Posted by tripwr1964

ok dick, i wont worry about the tire install and just have them sprayed. thks

Just be sure to let them know that you just spent $$ to have them painted and you don't want any chips in the paint, no rough handling. As Dick mentioned, today's tire mounting machines don't damage the edge of the rims, they don't even touch them.

Since everybody's Momma has a mini-van with alloy wheels, these new machines made for the now-common alloys are way more sophisticated in the way the rims are handled.

Be sure to specify stick-on weights on the inside only too.

[tripwr1964]

Thanks for the advise guys. You've put my mind at ease regarding mounting painted rims. I didn't realize "poverty" caps would be such a costly journey! So I just wanted to make sure someone doesn't screw them up for me. thks tim

[tripwr1964]

I'll take some better pics outside later. However, here are some in the garage. Took her out for a ride.... Love them. Look great and ride much more forgiving than my 17"er's with 45's! Thanks for all the help guys! Tim

[b-man]

Lookin' good.

Hard to believe how good these cars can look with the stock wheels and tires on them. The redlines really add that extra 'pop' to the combo.

Easy to see why the standard dog-dish caps are making such a big comeback, and not just on Pontiacs.

[general]

Tim, sent you a PM.
Bob

[tripwr1964]

General, I sold my torque thrust last week. Tim