I've done some measurements and it looks like I can fit a 10in tread width in my wagon. I don't want to radius the rear. I was wondering if anyone had experience with this.
And so the progress begins!
A 10" tread would have around 11"-11 1/2" section width, depending on wheel width. I have M/T street radials, 255/ 60/ 15's on an old set of 8 1/2 ' Centerline auto drags and it's close. 1/2" to the wheel lip that I trimmed slightly and around 3/4" to the leaf spring. The section width on my M/T's are 10 1/4".
With the right back space and getting the housing narrowed you may just have enough room....maybe.
My 2 cents......10" section width is close but doable without body mods. As RMK noticed (I didn't), you mentioned tread width, and I just don't know.
For some reading on what I went thru, here's a link to a thread I ran a few years back that touched on a lot of related details.
http://57fordsforever.com/smf/index.php?topic=5950.0
Are you building a Real Gasser, or a Street Clone?
Radir is for Looks!
As previously stated, the important fit measurement is the tire's cross section width. Real slicks are very soft/flexible, and will grow in diameter at speed, so the tire height needs to clear the fender well in all directions.
Without cutting anything on mine, not even trimming the lip, I can put a 15x7 Boss 302 steel wheel with M/T ET Street 28x11x15, which is equivalent to a 28x9x15 slick. There is plenty of clearance everywhere.
This I from the Radir sight. What would fit best??
Looks like the 10" tread width would be REALLY tight but. I'd like that much rubber but it's gonna be a street car with track appearances.
It says the 10.00 slick has 13" section width. I had a set of old 275/ 60/ 15's mounted on 8.5 wheels and I couldn't get them on and they have around a 11.5" section width. Maybe mounted on 7.0 wheels you may be able to squeeze them on.
I would have something like these, https://www.cokertire.com/tires/brands/m-h-racemaster/vintage-drag-slick-900-15.html the look is perfect for a mid-60's gasser.
I own Radirs for a different application.... but for a 57 application .I would not hesitate to go with Towel City.....They are Re-caps but for a street look....of a early to mid 60's look.... they would fit best.
Great people to deal with and a long run family business.
http://www.towelcityracingtires.com/vintage/pie-crust-cheater-slicks.aspx (http://www.towelcityracingtires.com/vintage/pie-crust-cheater-slicks.aspx)
A quick note as well.. they will buy Brand new tires and re-cap those if your worried about getting a worn out casing......(Which I have many friends who run these) and have had ZERO problems.
Unlike Coker that have a HORRIBLE problem with SOME of their products.I own Coker products and have NEVER had an issue(Maybe I am lucky)
I have a 275 width, 29.7" tall rear tire on a 9.5 wheel with 1" lowering blocks on my '57 Wagon. They really fill the fender well up nicely and look very aggressive.
I had to fold the lip near the back and flatten out a few areas inside the fender well that touched initially, but overall I would say I have no tire rub at all now in an essentially stock wheel well. I did trim the suspension bumpers brackets off the frame and bolt '55 Ford bolt on bumpers directly to the frame above the axle.
The wheels and tires are perfectly centered as I did the 3/4 per side narrowing of the rear end housing I always recommend.
I'm a body guy/fabricator so I don't mind a few minor mods to fit the largest tire and ease removal of big meats.
A 255 width is pretty easy fit for the more conservative.