[Hookm]

I need help. I just finished installing a front disc conversion kit from Stainless Steel Brake (does not fit my 14 in wheels even though they guaranteed it would) and want to install new 15 in Cragar SS all around. I'm thinking 15 X 7 in front and 15 X 8 in rear. What back spacing would I need to order with these wheels for my '64?

I also am looking at tires (raised white lettering preferred) and am wondering what the best brand would be in everyones opinion.....and what sizes would be right for these wheel sizes?

Thanks for any information you can offer including other recommendations if you have them.

[The Champ]

I run factory 15x7 steel rims with 4.25" BS with poverty caps on my '64.

I have 235/60's on the front and every thing clears, but it is tight. I'd recommend 4.5" BS on the 15x7's for the front, if that BS is available, just to be on the safe side. A 245/60 will fit, but more BS would be a good idea, IMHO.

On the rear, I have a '68 posi rear, which is wider than the original '64. I run 255/60's back there, and it is tight, but no rubbing. If your car has the original rear end, 4.5" BS should work fine on a 15x8 rim. 275's will fit, but might require a little more BS.

I have Dunlop GT's and they are ok. Firestone Indy's seem to be well thought of, and if buying today, I'd probably go with them. I've read many comments that BFG TA's have poor grip, but have never used them.

There really aren't any really good performance 15" tires made in sizes that work for our cars.

Hope this helps!

[mrnewt]

I bought cragers and bfg radial ta's last year for my 64 from summit.
I have drums all around still.

the backs were backspaced 4-5/8
the fronts were backspaced 4-1/2 maybe its 4-1/4 ill check, edited yep 4-1/4 b.s

the tires were

back were 255/60 r15 bfg radial ta
front were 215/70 r15 bfg radial ta

ill try and attach some pics.
Im very happy with the look.
The only problem i had was... if you have balancing weights on the drums (your rears)
the cragars wont mount properly without removing the weights.
I ended up buying a couple new drums that were properly balanced
without weights.

[mrnewt]

pics

[tempest455]

With a later (67 up) rear, a 5 3/4" backspace will center the rim on a '64. I run a MT 28 x 11.5" section (9" tread) on a Weld 8" rim. It fits perfectly right in the center of the well.

[Old Man Taylor]

On my '64 a 4 3/4" backspace centered a 15x8 rim in the rear perfectly.

[HenryGriffith]

I have a Master Brakes disc conversion kit in boxes ready to install. I replaced the awful aftermarket wheels that came with the car with 15" Rally II wheels w/4.25 backspacing. I was conservative and put P215/65 sizse Goodyear Eagle GTs on all wheels. The previous P255/60s rubbed horibly on the fronts.
A word of caution on any aftermarket aluminum wheels. Do NOT get any that have an oval shaped "unilug" casting with a seperate washer insert for the GTO lug pattern. With my previous wheels, (that looked something like the Cragar wheels), When I romped on it, the lug washer would dig into the oval shaped area of the wheel and twist slightly. The out of round condition caused an awfull vibration that I incorrectly diagnosed as a bad transmission. Old Man Taylor told me to beg/borrow/steal some replacement wheels and see if it helped. Of course it did. So please make sure your Cragar or whatever wheels have a lug nut pattern specific for the GTO and NOT those awful "unilug" washers.

[Hookm]

Hey Guys.......Thanks a lot for all the help. This website is great for novices like myself looking for advice and you guys sure have some good advice.

Also great looking "ride" MRNEWT. I hope mine looks as good after I install the wheels/tires.

Thanks All

[Hookm]

Hey MRNEWT I'd like to ask one more question. The wheels you have are Cragars but do you have 15 X 7 in front and 15 X 8 in rear?

Thanks

[mrnewt]

sorry, ..yes they are. 15x7 fronts
15x8 rears

[rexus31]

Originally Posted by Hookm

I need help. I just finished installing a front disc conversion kit from Stainless Steel Brake (does not fit my 14 in wheels even though they guaranteed it would) and want to install new 15 in Cragar SS all around. I'm thinking 15 X 7 in front and 15 X 8 in rear. What back spacing would I need to order with these wheels for my '64?

I also am looking at tires (raised white lettering preferred) and am wondering what the best brand would be in everyones opinion.....and what sizes would be right for these wheel sizes?

Thanks for any information you can offer including other recommendations if you have them.

I also have the SSBC front disk brake kit installed on my '64 and I run 14" Cragars on mine with no clearance issues at all. Are you sure you installed the kit properly?

[Hookm]

My disc brake conversion problems were not with Cragar 14's. I had 14 in rims (stock) with 14 X 7.75 Redlines all around. I was told that the SSBC kit would fit ALL 14 in rims but I found out the hard way that wasn't true when I went to mount the wheels. The rims hit on both the calipers and caliper brackets and hit heavy enough that grinding/adapting were not options so I either had to remove the conversion or get different wheels.

[Tom Vaught]

A lot of sales people do not realize that some cars actually had drum brakes and drum brake wheels on their 64 GTOs and Lemans/ Tempests.

Tom V.

[Tom Vaught]

I am always interested in what wheels and tires look good and work for a modded brake 64 GTO.

Tom V.

[rexus31]

Originally Posted by Hookm

My disc brake conversion problems were not with Cragar 14's. I had 14 in rims (stock) with 14 X 7.75 Redlines all around. I was told that the SSBC kit would fit ALL 14 in rims but I found out the hard way that wasn't true when I went to mount the wheels. The rims hit on both the calipers and caliper brackets and hit heavy enough that grinding/adapting were not options so I either had to remove the conversion or get different wheels.

Before the Cragers I was running repop Rally II's with no problem as well.

[Hookm]

Tom,

Thanks for your info.

I can imagine there are sales folks out there who don't think about the drums all around but the my problem is....I asked SSBC repeatedly to make sure the kit would fit my wheels, with drums in the front since it was a conversion kit, and told them several times what size and type of wheels I had. The kit fit my car beautifully but you can imagine my surprise when the wheels wouldn't fit.

I'll just chalk it up to experience and get the new wheels on. I'll post a shot of the car after I finish if I can ever figure out how to put pictures in a message on here.

Thanks to everyone for all the help.

[My64GTO]

Hookm,

I installed the SSBC kit a few years back on my 64. I had to go from a 14x6 steel rim to a (wider) 14x7 steel rim so that the caliper and bracket wouldn't hit.

Everything fit perfectly for me also, and I was able to still use my original spinner hubcaps.

What was the number of the kit you used?

[Hookm]

Hi MYGTO64,

The kit I used on my '64 GTO was the A123-1 kit that is for the power brakes application. The kit itself went on like a charm. No problems at all except to drill out the steering arms from 7/16"to 1/2". I don't have a drill press. My 14 X 7 rims really had a lot of both caliper and bracket contact.

[My64GTO]

Yup-same kit I used, I didn't have a drill press either, that part sucked for me too.

I went to Inline tube and bought the pre-bent front lines and a real proportioning valve. I didn't like the prop valve that came with the kit. You can see what it looks like here.

The only issue I had was that they sent me two drivers side caliper brackets. You couldn't tell by looking at them, you just couldn't get the bracket on the passenger side, no matter what you did. SSBC made me purchase another bracket and then send back the old one. Only then did they refund the extra cost.

I wasn't too happy with SSBC customer service or the instruction set that came with the kit, but the kit itself is really nice.

Originally Posted by Hookm

Hi MYGTO64,

The kit I used on my '64 GTO was the A123-1 kit that is for the power brakes application. The kit itself went on like a charm. No problems at all except to drill out the steering arms from 7/16"to 1/2". I don't have a drill press. My 14 X 7 rims really had a lot of both caliper and bracket contact.

[Hookm]

Nice ride MYGTO64.

Did you have to do a lot of tube bending yourself when you made that proportioning valve installation or did all the pre-bent lines fit nicely? Also did the proportioning valve you bought (I assume not adjustable) come with the mounting bracket I see near the master cylinder? It looks like a nice setup and I probably ought to do the same since the proportioning valve that came with the kit looks kind of chincy.

Thanks for any info. you can give me. By the way do you remember how much the lines and valve cost?

Thanks