James and Guys,
It's been a while since I've been on here. Want to thank James for sending me the pics of my 57 that I'd lost on a previous computer. Also, to let you know that I'm feeling better after the heart attack and I'll be racing my 57 again this year. Only this year I'll be running bias-ply slicks instead of radial street tires. The best time I had two seasons ago was 14.3 sec, so with tires I hope to get into the 13 sec bracket. I'm ordering wheels from Wheel Vintiques this morning with 5 1/8" BS. The tire I've chosen is the Hoosier Quick Time Pro. I've already got a room for the Meltdown Drags and if Larry Nicholson and Allan White will show up at Columbus I'll be there too. There's no use going to Columbus if you don't have someone to run. I just hope it won't be 105 degrees this time. I'll let you know how the Back Spacing goes, it may be of interest to some. The 55 Ford rear shocks are still on the car and still doing good.
Hope this post finds all you guys doing good, I know we lost some along the way. God's speed to all. Jim
Jim, good to hear you're on the mend, great to see you back.
Zap- :unitedstates:
I knew you couldn't shake it off, lol. Good luck this season my friend. Are you staying with the big FE or did you put the 390 back in?
By the way, what size on the tires? I am running Mickey Thompson ET Street 28X11X15 on mine, fit perfect, like they were made for it.
Glad to hear your back in the saddle. I'm very interested in the backspacing. How wide of a rim? Are you running stock geometry with the rear suspension?
Kevin
Thanks James and All,
I just ordered the wheels. I luckily dug out of this forum an old thread I had when I installed the 4.75" BS wheels I run now. It showed the tape measurements of my wheel opening without the tire on. At that time it showed that a 5" wheel rested squarely in the middle of my wheel opening. Soooo, I ordered the 15 X 8 5x4.5 Series 62 wheel with 5" BS. I can still get a 10.25" section width tire in it but, I'm settling for the 10" section width Hoosier Quick Time Pro. Reason being that puts my rpm in the @4700 range crossing the line on the top end. And, an added advantage is I might be able to wash the back tire at one time getting my fingers between the tire and fender. lol
I'm sticking with the 410 guys, it's got a few leaks in it that I got to fix. One is the valve cover. All in all it's a good running engine that gets 16mpg on the highway using 87 octane gas. Besides, I want to see 13.?? seconds pushing 4200 pounds thru the quarter mile. My 60 foot times are the same on both engines but the 410 gives me 1 less second and 8mph more on street tires. It's the 2.1 sec. 60' foot time I need help with. I think these tires will do that. As an added precaution I've got a 1350 yoke I'm putting in my Tru-Track and driveshaft. I was running 1310 joint back there.
James, 28 X 11-15 MT Streets, what BS wheel are you using. I talked to the second owner of my car and he told me he put a 1961 or 1962 Equi-Loc rear end out of a galaxie in my car back in the early seventies. I assume I've still got the same rear end. The passenger side tire is closer to the fender than the drivers side. I wonder if the housings are different. Jim
Jim...I was missing you, but missed the fact you had a heart attack. Very happy to hear your on the mend...but DO take care of yourself and be thankful you had a warning.
I'm confused on the differential...I thought a few years back you were talking about a 350 (355?) trac-loc you ended up with two of. Was that on the '63? Also was wondering if you still had that extra one....I'm getting close to needing one.
I just have a 15x7 inch cop car wheel with 4.5 bs. The et street measures differently than slicks. It uses the section width which is about 11 inches instead of tread width, which incidentally is a little more than 9 inches, prob closer to 10. Since I am using the7 inch wheel, the section width is a little bit smaller than 11 inches.it clears nicely on front and back. No mods at all to the stock fender opening.
Rich,
The 57 has the Moser nodular 9" with Tru-Trac and Daytona support. The 63 has the Trac-Loc. But I changed the 3.50 ring and pinion to a 2.75 ring and pinion. And yes I did at one time have an extra Trac-Loc at 3.50 but I sold it. I've got a 3.70 Equi-Loc and a set of discs for it I'll talk to you about. It's just 28 spline though. It's a good rear pig but it's 1961 vintage with 1310 yoke.
James,
A 4.5" BS wouldn't get it for me. And, I've cut on the fenders as much as I'm going to. The funny thing is that when you measure from the spring to the end of the axle they are both the same. It's like the body was put on crooked. I wouldn't discount that after hearing from the guy that worked on the assembly line in 1957.
P. S. James, I read an article on bias ply slicks that said if you kept the tread width the same or less than the wheel width that it wouldn't get wobbly on you at the top end with less air pressure. Don't know, what do you think. Jim
Thats the ideal option. I may look into some 8s after you get yours.
James,
I read that, figured you'd know more about it. I figured I didn't have enough horsepower to get myself in trouble on the bottom end but if I ended up crashing my car on the top end I'd die of depression if the crash didn't get me. lol
Jim,
I really would like to know how these wheels work out. I am positive 5" B.S. works on an 8" rim in the back and almost equally positive it won't work on the front. I am assuming you special ordered the wheels?
On another note... FE build details? I am collecting engine parts now...
lalassi 1,
My experience with front back spacing is this, have as little backspacing in front as possible. Back spacing in front is directly proportional to how much acreage you've got to turn around in. I go for a stock 2.75" ---3.25" BS. But then again I won't run over a 6" wheel in front either.
The reason I went with the 5" BS on the 8" wheels I ordered was because I KNOW I can put a 10" section width tire in it. I'm running 4.75" BS wheels now with a 9.75" section width tire.
Special order: Yes they had to be special ordered. The stock 62 series wheel comes with a 4.25" BS and they charge $25 per wheel for custom backspacing. I wanted a stock looking wheel because they won't let me on the track at the Meltdown Drags without 1966 or previous dated style wheels. These cost $286 delivered with a 30-45 day wait. You can't find a 15 X 8 wheel with 5" backspacing that looks stock and will hold a 57 Ford dog dish hub cap. Wheel Vintiques does make a Genie Wheel with 5" backspacing but you can't put a Ford Hub Cap on it. Besides, it's multi lug and I'm sick of those. Hope this helps. Jim
I appreciate the info. i have 15 x 7 series 62 Vintiques/dog dish all the way around. I wanted 8's but I didn't think the 4.25" back spacing was enough in the rear for tire clearance. I ordered from Summit and was unaware at the time that Wheel Vintiques would do custom offsets.
Quote from: lalessi1 on 2015-01-14 19:34
I appreciate the info. i have 15 x 7 series 62 Vintiques/dog dish all the way around. I wanted 8's but I didn't think the 4.25" back spacing was enough in the rear for tire clearance. I ordered from Summit and was unaware at the time that Wheel Vintiques would do custom offsets.
That's not too bad. A 4.5" BS will pretty well center a 7" wheel. A 4" BS will pretty well center a 6" wheel. At least on my car it will. Jim
Jim, sorry to hear about the health issues. Been there myself with 4 heart operations in the last 8 years. Glad you are around to tell about it, but try and take it easy. make a full recovery , and the car can wait if it means living a longer life.I guess this explains why I haven't heard from you. I've sent you a few communications about the paint breaks. Take your time,and get well. I'm in no hurry, Aint going nowhere soon.
Quote from: jumping jack flash on 2015-01-14 20:59
Jim, sorry to hear about the health issues. Been there myself with 4 heart operations in the last 8 years. Glad you are around to tell about it, but try and take it easy. make a full recovery , and the car can wait if it means living a longer life.I guess this explains why I haven't heard from you. I've sent you a few communications about the paint breaks. Take your time,and get well. I'm in no hurry, Aint going nowhere soon.
Jack, that was last year. I'm eager to go again this year. I have found myself short winded more but I'm still going. I got your email and I'll find them tomorrow. Jim
I'm happy to hear that you are doing better and that you are back playing with your car. Don't push yourself too much though.
A couple of notes, any wheel nominal width is based on the inside distance between the tire mating surfaces. Typically the actual width of a wheel is 1" wider than the nominal width. For example a 15" x 7" is actually 8" wide overall. This is important to understand because backspacing is measured to th outside of the wheel. Offset on the other hand is measured from the centerline of the wheel. A technically "centered" wheel has zero offset but the backspacing for a "centered" wheel changes with wheel width, a 6" zero offset wheel has 3.5" B.S., a 7" zero offset wheel has 4" back spacing, 8".... 4.5" etc. In order to keep the same fender clearance then back spacing must increase by the same distance as the OVERALL width of the wheel you are changing to. In my case I have adequate fender clearance with 15" x 7", 4.25" B.S. wheels to go to 15" x 8" wheel and keep the same fender clearance, I would need 5.25" backspacing.
Automotive design parameters dictate that one should try to maintain factory offset when changing wheel widths, anything else will change things like wheel bearing loads and overall suspension geometry. Offset on the front wheels, contrary to Jim's statement, will not noticably alter the turning radius of any car as long as there are no clearance issues. The turning radius is a function of the angles of the axles at full lock, offset won't affect that. The outside turning radius of the wheel will increase but only by any the amount of any increase in positive offset.
Some of you guys know by now that I am a freak about turning radii and wheel parameters! :003: :deadhorse:
Quote from: lalessi1 on 2015-01-15 09:31
A couple of notes, any wheel nominal width is based on the inside distance between the tire mating surfaces. Typically the actual width of a wheel is 1" wider than the nominal width. For example a 15" x 7" is actually 8" wide overall. This is important to understand because backspacing is measured to th outside of the wheel. Offset on the other hand is measured from the centerline of the wheel. A technically "centered" wheel has zero offset but the backspacing for a "centered" wheel changes with wheel width, a 6" zero offset wheel has 3.5" B.S., a 7" zero offset wheel has 4" back spacing, 8".... 4.5" etc. In order to keep the same fender clearance then back spacing must increase by the same distance as the OVERALL width of the wheel you are changing to. In my case I have adequate fender clearance with 15" x 7", 4.25" B.S. wheels to go to 15" x 8" wheel and keep the same fender clearance, I would need 5.25" backspacing.
Automotive design parameters dictate that one should try to maintain factory offset when changing wheel widths, anything else will change things like wheel bearing loads and overall suspension geometry. Offset on the front wheels, contrary to Jim's statement, will not noticably alter the turning radius of any car as long as there are no clearance issues. The turning radius is a function of the angles of the axles at full lock, offset won't affect that. The outside turning radius of the wheel will increase but only by any the amount of any increase in positive offset.
Some of you guys know by now that I am a freak about turning radii and wheel parameters! :003: :deadhorse:
lalessi1,
That was a good read about turning radius. You misunderstood what I was talking about. Mainly you misunderstood it because you ain't been there apparently. lol Go ahead and put those 5.25 backspace wheels on the front and call me back. lol What you'll find is the same thing I found. You're going to dig your tire into the frame of the car and you'll wonder what in the hell happened to your steering. That's what I meant about needing acreage to turn in. If you can't turn the wheel how can you compare turning radius as being equal. To elaborate on specific wheels I encountered this on, it was a Ford Ranger Wheel 14 X 6 with 4" back spacing. The Cragers I'm running are 15 X 6 with 3.25" back spacing and I don't have trouble. Jim PS. I got a set of Ford Ranger wheels for sale 14 X 6 with 4" BS. Cheap.
How much room do you have with a 10.25 section width tire?
I'm thinking of getting 255 60 15 M/T street radials and they have a 10.25 section width
With a 7 inch wheel.
Quote from: rmk57 on 2015-01-15 20:49
How much room do you have with a 10.25 section width tire?
I'm thinking of getting 255 60 15 M/T street radials and they have a 10.25 section width
With a 7 inch wheel.
With the radial tire you're looking at 10.1" section width with a 7.5" rim. Radial tires are thinner in section with than bias ply tires. You get to run a 9" tread where I have to settle for a 8" tread. On my car, repeat, on my car using the passenger side wheel opening. I've got 11.5" to play with it looks like. A 9" rim would leave 1.25" per side. If I were to use a 10.5" section tire I'd theoretically have a 1/2" on each side for clearance. Having said that it's my personal choice not to push the issue. I'm sticking to a 10"-10.2" inch tire and settle for the fender side of the opening to be in the same place as the tires I've got now. To do that I had to order wheels that had a 5" backspace instead of the 4.75" I have now. If I could run radials I'd be in seventh heaven with a 9" slick. Jim PS A long time ago Hoosier Hurricane told me to be careful when it came to filling the wheel well with tire on a 57. He claimed he had trouble with the wheels hitting the inner fender. He said the inner section of the inner fender doesn't go just straight up, he said it was curved and when the back end of the car came down the top side of the tire would hit it. It hasn't happened to me.
Jim:
It was the outer section of the wheel well that rolls inward to limit tire clearance, not the inner. What I did was to use the inner half of a '56 wheel well spliced onto my original inner half to get a vertical wall at the 1/4 panel. NHRA and IHRA both failed to notice the modification. This was when I was running in stock eliminator. Since '57s can't run in stock classes anymore, the expedient thing to do to get maximum tire clearance would be to install wheel tubs.
John
Looks like the mt street radials will have about 3/4 clearance with a 7" rim with 4.25 bs.
One thing I promised myself when I bought car was no rollbars, wheeltubs, hoodscoops, no cutting up the body at all.
Randy
I have good clearance with that combo Randy..except my tires are bias ply ET Streets
I am running 15 x 7, 4.25" BS on all four corners with 225/60 tires, no clearance issues front or back. There is a lot of room on the inside on the rear but almost no room inside on the front, the wheels are very close to the spindles. I prefer the same size wheel tire combo for handling plus with the dog dish caps the car looks "stock". I can also get the back wheel/tire on/off without undoing the shocks or shackles. 225/60 tire recommended wheel width is 6-8.
Thanks John,
Since it's the 1/4 panel side I'm in good shape. The tire and backspace combination I'm using will give me another 1/8" clearance on the 1/4 panel side and add another 3/8" to the inside. The 26.1" diameter of the tire will put me close to the shift point when I cross the finish line also. I've realized by discussing this topic that not all 57 Ford clearances are the same. If they were there wouldn't be so many discrepancies. And, for the life of me I can't figure out why I have less clearance on the passenger side than I do on the drivers side. I realize using different axles can cause discrepancies but I figured both sides would be the same, I'm using the Moser 31 spline. When I was down to a bare housing I measured the distance from the outer housing to the springs and they were the same on both sides. The axles themselves are the only variable I didn't look at.
lalessi1,
Now that you say emphatically that you run that kind of backspace, I'm going to go back and make sure it was the frame I was hitting instead on the 1 1/8" sway bar I run up front. I never repainted so it'll be easy to see. At any rate, driving the car without that sway bar wouldn't be an option for me.
lalessi1,
Buddy I owe you an apology, that wasn't the frame I was hitting, it was the 1 1/8" sway bar. I measured it while I was out there and it sticks out 3" from the frame. That's the first thing I installed on the car and that was back in 2005. Sooo, apparently the older I get the less I remember clearly. I didn't mean to give you false information. That kind of backspace just won't work on my car after installation of the sway bar.
Jim
I'm running 15" x 7" Vintique steels all round with a 4.25" back space, on the front I've got 205 section tyres and they touch the end of the steering rack (Wurth conversion) on full left hand lock so I need to fit stops before it hits the road, see my old post here:
http://57fordsforever.com/smf/index.php?topic=2596.0
Quote from: jumping jack flash on 2015-01-14 20:59
Jim, sorry to hear about the health issues. Been there myself with 4 heart operations in the last 8 years. Glad you are around to tell about it, but try and take it easy. make a full recovery , and the car can wait if it means living a longer life.I guess this explains why I haven't heard from you. I've sent you a few communications about the paint breaks. Take your time,and get well. I'm in no hurry, Aint going nowhere soon.
Jack, I tried reaching you by email. Hope you see this here. Here are the paint breaks. Just send me enough money to ship them and I'll be happy. My address is 1727 S. Briarwood Dr. Warsaw, In 46580. Jim Nolan
Jim,
No apology required. On the contrary the info on the sway bar is good to know. I plan on installing one and never considered it might not clear the wheels. Whose sway bar are you using?
Quote from: JimNolan on 2015-01-16 16:07
lalessi1,
Buddy I owe you an apology, that wasn't the frame I was hitting, it was the 1 1/8" sway bar. I measured it while I was out there and it sticks out 3" from the frame. That's the first thing I installed on the car and that was back in 2005. Sooo, apparently the older I get the less I remember clearly. I didn't mean to give you false information. That kind of backspace just won't work on my car after installation of the sway bar.
Jim
lalessi1,
It was a place in Texas best I remember ( there I go again). The Company had the word Thunderbirds and Western or West in it. I remember it was a new thing they'd made for the 57 Fairlanes. To be perfectly honest, I don't see how people stayed in the seat of a 57 Ford with that little sway bar that is OEM. I know it changed the whole feel of my car going around curves. It stays pretty well flat now. I was impressed so much I bought one for the rear end from the same company I think. It didn't seem to affect the car that much so when I did the frame off in 2008 I just left the back one off. I've still got the welded on brackets on the rear axle housing and frame. In fact, today, when I was replacing the 1310 yoke on my differential with a 1350 yoke I noticed those brackets and wondered why Ford had put them on the axle. I kept looking for a bumper stop. Sooo, ya see, it's not only you that my memory hurts. I need to add (best I remember) to everything I say. Jim
That is the sway bar I have been looking at. A company called "Quickor" makes front and rear bars for 57's I will look into theirs for more info. I think Concours Parts is selling the same bar you have. I really like the design of Thunderbirds Southwest front bar, it is a shame it may not work for me.
You mentioned 14 x 6 Ranger wheels earlier, do you know if they will clear Granada discs?
The Thunderbird place and Concourse sell the sway bars. I've never had a problem with the tires hitting but I'm only using 215 70 14's and I don't know what the BS is on Cragars.. I have 1 1/8 front 1" rear. The rear sway bar they sell now doesn't require any welding.
Jim Nolan, if you think a stock 57 Ford handles badly you should drive a 57 Chevy :003: Handling was a big reason I preferred a Ford.
Quote from: lalessi1 on 2015-01-16 17:54
That is the sway bar I have been looking at. A company called "Quickor" makes front and rear bars for 57's I will look into theirs for more info. I think Concours Parts is selling the same bar you have. I really like the design of Thunderbirds Southwest front bar, it is a shame it may not work for me.
You mentioned 14 x 6 Ranger wheels earlier, do you know if they will clear Granada discs?
lalessi1, I think that was before I had the disc brakes. I've got 14" wheels from 1980 that will work with disc brakes but I don't think the Ranger Wheels will work on disc brakes. I inventoried all my different wheels and tires I've got, and the Ranger Wheels are listed as non-disc with 4" BS. Jim
Quote from: hiball3985 on 2015-01-16 17:58
The Thunderbird place and Concourse sell the sway bars. I've never had a problem with the tires hitting but I'm only using 215 70 14's and I don't know what the BS is on Cragars.. I have 1 1/8 front 1" rear. The rear sway bar they sell now doesn't require any welding.
Jim Nolan, if you think a stock 57 Ford handles badly you should drive a 57 Chevy :003: Handling was a big reason I preferred a Ford.
Hiball, I run Crager SS 15 X 6" w/3.25" BS. I run a 215/70-15 Michelin tire all the way around. I think 3.25" BS is pretty basic for that wheel. At the time they sold me the rear sway bars a bracket had to be welded on each side of the axle at top. It was OK I guess, I just couldn't tell the difference other than it hit the tail pipes every now and then. Jim
Jim
I am looking for a "stock looking" 14" wheel to use for a spare. The wheel I have now won't fit the brakes (mid 70's Torino).
If anyone's interested I'm running P235 70 15 T/A's on 6 inch steelies on the rear 225's on the front. They have 9.5 section width with lots of room.
Think Im going to spring for the Mickey T's for some track time.
Quote from: lalessi1 on 2015-01-16 19:08
Jim
I am looking for a "stock looking" 14" wheel to use for a spare. The wheel I have now won't fit the brakes (mid 70's Torino).
When I started looking for Stock Wheels (14") so I could run my wheel covers and fenderskirts with my disc brakes, I resorted to paying a (look for parts) place out of Chicago. They found two wheels in Arizona. The guy said they came off of an early 80's Mercury or Ford full size car. (best I can recall it was 80's). They could only find 2 in the country at salvage yards. I called them back because I was so happy with the condition of the 2 I got and they couldn't find 2 more. Wheel Vintiques series 62 wheel won't fit either in 14". I've sort of hung on to these 14" wheels like they were made of gold. I had them powder coated too. The other 2 I had I came by accidently. I figure they came off a 60's disc brake Mustang. Sorry, I can't help you on OEM 14" wheels that fit disc brakes. Jim
the wheels i am using are from a 77 granada,14x6 with 215/75/14 white wall tires
I certainly can appreciate that! I was considering buying a 14" Vintique to try so I am glad to find out they won't fit. I have a 7.50-14 Firestone spare so a wheel that fit over the brakes and looked more or less correct would be ideal. The Granada wheels are like hens teeth. Always looking for alternatives....
Quote from: JimNolan on 2015-01-16 19:27
When I started looking for Stock Wheels (14") so I could run my wheel covers and fenderskirts with my disc brakes, I resorted to paying a (look for parts) place out of Chicago. They found two wheels in Arizona. The guy said they came off of an early 80's Mercury or Ford full size car. (best I can recall it was 80's). They could only find 2 in the country at salvage yards. I called them back because I was so happy with the condition of the 2 I got and they couldn't find 2 more. Wheel Vintiques series 62 wheel won't fit either in 14". I've sort of hung on to these 14" wheels like they were made of gold. I had them powder coated too. The other 2 I had I came by accidently. I figure they came off a 60's disc brake Mustang. Sorry, I can't help you on OEM 14" wheels that fit disc brakes. Jim
lalessi1,
I bought a Crager cheap 15" wheel and bought a 15" tire that had the same tire height as the 14's that I run on the car. I put importance on having a spare because I was putting over 10K miles on the car a year. James Potter asked me " Jim, when's the last time you had a flat, don't think you even need one". Well, after 11 years of driving the car and well over 50K miles I can honestly say that remark he made was spot on. I've never needed a spare and the spare I put in my car is just to take up space in the tire well I guess. So what I'm saying is, if it's for safety reason's, don't put a lot of effort into worrying about a spare. Jim
Quote from: JimNolan on 2015-01-14 18:48
lalassi 1,
My experience with front back spacing is this, have as little backspacing in front as possible. Back spacing in front is directly proportional to how much acreage you've got to turn around in. I go for a stock 2.75" ---3.25" BS. But then again I won't run over a 6" wheel in front either.
The reason I went with the 5" BS on the 8" wheels I ordered was because I KNOW I can put a 10" section width tire in it. I'm running 4.75" BS wheels now with a 9.75" section width tire.
Special order: Yes they had to be special ordered. The stock 62 series wheel comes with a 4.25" BS and they charge $25 per wheel for custom backspacing. I wanted a stock looking wheel because they won't let me on the track at the Meltdown Drags without 1966 or previous dated style wheels. These cost $286 delivered with a 30-45 day wait. You can't find a 15 X 8 wheel with 5" backspacing that looks stock and will hold a 57 Ford dog dish hub cap. Wheel Vintiques does make a Genie Wheel with 5" backspacing but you can't put a Ford Hub Cap on it. Besides, it's multi lug and I'm sick of those. Hope this helps. Jim
Guys,
I sent Wheel Vintiques an email and I'll call them also to get my backspacing changed from 5" to 5.125". It's only been three days since I ordered them and with that long a wait to begin with I don't think they made them yesterday. My figuring shows that a 5.125" BS puts me dead center of the wheel opening. When I get the wheels I can mount them before I buy tires and if I need less back space I can shim them the 1/8" I used as a safety net. This way I'll be able to use the M/T Streets with the 10.5" section width. If not, I'll just order the 10" section width Hoosiers. I really want that M5 compound and sidewall for a heavy car. Jim
I agree about the actual need for a spare tire. I am looking for a "straight out of the factory" look but with upgrades for function that are very subtle to most folks. The repro tire has a repro paper tag on it and I probably wouldn't use it even if I had a flat. The fact that it won't fit the front is a problem of it "not working" as intended....I know to "each his own" is the name of the game and I really appreciate everybody's vision, whether its a gasser, a custom, retrorod, restoration, etc. :003:
Quote from: canadian_ranchero on 2015-01-16 19:58
the wheels i am using are from a 77 granada,14x6 with 215/75/14 white wall tires
these wheels and tires will just clear the 1 1/8 after market sway bar[have granada type disc brakes]
Quote from: canadian_ranchero on 2015-01-17 11:53
these wheels and tires will just clear the 1 1/8 after market sway bar[have granada type disc brakes]
You must have got the last ones in existence :003: I haven't been able to find just one to use as a spare.
I saw A whole Granada on ebay, current bid a tad over a grand....maybe 5 wheels and spindles and rotors and a small block and a lot left over!!!!! Hey, since I am all about the backspace..... does anybody know what the backspace and and width of a Granada wheel is? :003:
i was given a granada about 2 years ago[rusty].thats were the 5 for my wagon came from.the rims are 6in wide and the back space is about 3 3/4.
All the Disc Brake type 14" OEM wheels I have (5) are 14 X 5.5 w/2.75 backspacing. I run Firestone FR 380 205X75R-14. I don't think you can even get 75 tires anymore. Jim
i got my 215/75/14 in nov 2014
I bought a Ford 14 X 6 JS wheel today off a '79 LTD. In transit.... can't wait to see if it fits!
I used to be able to tell by looking at them. Best I remember there's a smaller dia. to the inside of the wheel about 2" back of the inside. A wheel that don't fit has a lip that is more pronounce transitioning to that smaller Dia. A wheel that will fit disc brakes has a shallower transtion (longer) to the smaller dia.
FYI-every car built from 1976 on has disc brakes.
All Magnum 500 14" whls are 6"or 7" wide (except mopar 5.5"). AMC 8 slots too. You could put wheel covers over
most of them. Maybe get a rusty/dull set on the cheap. Easier than idenifying plain ones to buy.
I carry a big can of fix-a-flat and a AAA card in my cars. (i'm lazy).
Goodluck w/your car.
Ron.
The wheel I bought is actually 14 X 6 1/2. I found 2 online, both were listed for '79 LTDs. I checked to verfy they had disc brakes, didn't know that discs were adopted across the board in '76. That is good info. The LTD rotors are actually larger than mine which are about 10.75".
Yep, Federal safety law.
Most smaller cars went up in price......
Ron.
I have 6 57's all with aftermarket wheels. One has the 14X7 magnum 500 off a 70's Ranchero, no fit problems, 15x7 AR Torque Trust on two cars no fitment problem, 17X8 Late model mustang wheels with appropriate spacers to center them, again no fitment problems unless I make a very exaggerated right turn into a driveway the right rear tire scrapes a tiny bit. 15 x7 Hot Rod wires, fit great with same right rear scrape in exaggerated right turn. I've had 15x7 Dodge Police wheels on the Ranchero once no problem. Bob
Just got off the phone with Jack Tally of Wheel Vintiques. He's changing my wheel backspace on the Series 62 wheels I ordered to 5.125". With all the measuring I've done this should put this 15 X 8 wheel dead center of my available space in the wheel well. If it is too much backspace I can space the wheel back out. I'll wait before ordering the tires until I can mount the wheel on the axle and measure the amount of room I have left. I know we've beat this post to death but my results may help someone else also. Hopefully it may be like finding out a 55 Ford rear shock will let you change wider tires on the rear without dropping the shock absorbers. Maybe someone will one day say "thank you Jim Nolan for the information", I hope so. Jim
"thank you Jim Nolan for the information"
seriously!
What he said, definetly. I've aready got the shock info stored where I can find it...unless my computer crashes. Next year hopefully I'll be looking for the last item on my list..tires and wheels, but mine won't be steelies, so I'm not sure how much the info will help me....with the Torque Thrust type wheels, you just get what you can.
Quote from: RICH MUISE on 2015-01-19 11:47
.tires and wheels, but mine won't be steelies, so I'm not sure how much the info will help me....with the Torque Thrust type wheels, you just get what you can.
Rich, I hear you. The closest Mag wheel I could find in an 8" wheel was U. S. Wheel at 4.75" BS. They look like the Cragar SS Wheel. If you want to run a small tire there's plenty of choices.
There are mag style wheels available that you can specify the back spacing over a broad range. Check out ET Mags by TeamIII. http://www.etmags.com/classic_v.html. You have to sell your first born son though.... BTW, thank you JimNolan for all the information in all sincerity, I know we have had a moment or two :003: but I have learned and continue to learn from everyone's experience.
On the rear shocks you can buy extensions to give up to 3" more travel
to the stock shocks.
They look like a piece of allthread connected to a femail coupler.
Ron.
I prefer nostalgia parts whenever practical. I like old Torque Thrust and slotted aluminum wheels. Unfortunately, selection is very poor and usually expensive. Modern two piece, made-to-order wheels are very expensive. I've found older, after market wheels to commonly have 3-4.5" of back space. I had some '99 Mustang GT wheels and the tires wouldn't clear the springs. Of the wheels I've tried, 14" or 15" didn't matter. Several old, after market wheels with 7" width generally fit. Wider rims generally had similar backspacing and moved closer to the fender. 15x8.5 wheels with 3.5 back space were into the fender. I finally cut the rear end, four linked, and mini tubbed to run 15x10 with 4" back space with big-O Mickey Thompson flame treads.
Lynn...there were several wheels on there I liked..."Vintage" and "Classic"..I hadn't seen that Company before, options are great. Thanks for posting. I'd better start saving.
I know this is apples and Oranges on the discussion, but I am going to use a 49-51 Ford 16 inch steel wheel on my 57.
Same bolt pattern as a 57 and it accepts the dog dish cap.Why 16?
Because I really like a bias look and the Excelsior sport radial comes in very very close to a bias look but has the performance of a modern radial.
Unfortunately,they only come in 16s.I have found 2 of the 4 ford factory wheels so far.They are harder to find but they are out there.They were only available on 6 cylinder overdrive units.(shoeboxes)
I started to buy 16" custom steel wheels from a company in Cali, I could have specified width and backspacing. The wheels would have accepted the 57 dog dish caps and 16" wheels give you a much better tire selection than 15". I decided to use 15" 62 Vintiques, they didn't break the bank.
Lynn, If I live long enough to wear out the new 14" tires I have I will probably go with the 15" Vintiques steel and get rid of Cragars. I have a waiting list of people who want them. I'm assuming the center hole on the Vintiques will work with the larger disc brake hubs?
Jim, the center hole on the Vintiques is 3 1/16" compared to 2 5/8" on the stock wheel. I think that will fit over most hubs.
Quote from: lalessi1 on 2015-01-21 09:51
Jim, the center hole on the Vintiques is 3 1/16" compared to 2 5/8" on the stock wheel. I think that will fit over most hubs.
Great thanks. I was planning on stopping by and talking to them in the future.
Jeff,
My dad had some of those 16's for his 51 Tudor.
If i recall they are very narrow, like 4-4.5"
Drag racers used them as low dollar Supertricks.
Think some T-Bolts had them. Have to ask Dennis K.
Ron.
Jeff Norwell, I think the 55 Mainline UTE I just shipped into the states, has 16 " rims.I will check when I get home. If so you are welcome to them. Tom I still need to get a rim up to Jay!
I run Wheel Vintiques 64 Series 15x6 4"BS with 195/75R15 in front and 15x7 4.25"BS with 225/75R15 in back.Coker Radial WWW. No tire rubbing, car approx lowered 3" front and 2" in back. the rear fenderwells needed slight hammering in the rear.
Jeff, I like the idea of having the Shoebox 16s but these wheels seem to narrow? probably a 4.5 or 5" wheel. though I'm not a fan of wide wheels and today I would also use 15x6 on the rear. Concerning the Radial Bias plies, did you get a look at Cokers new series ? they have a wide range of 15" starting at 5.60 up to 8.20 I think. they look very nice, almost like late 1950s Bias plies.
I will go buy those when my radial whitewalls will be worn out.
If I was going to use another custom wheel I'd like to have the slotted Indy mags like on the rear of gasmans car. Some company is making them again but I lost my link :005:
Edit, found it http://us-mags.com/wheels-all.cfm :003:
I really need a secretary but the wifes keeps saying NO..
If I had my wish for wheels I'd like to have the stock steelies made from aluminum.
I bet you could sell a ton of them.
Randy
Quote from: rmk57 on 2015-01-22 18:38
If I had my wish for wheels I'd like to have the stock steelies made from aluminum.
I bet you could sell a ton of them.
Randy
That would be nice, but, after having bought 6 Cragar SS and 2 U S Wheels with aluminum multi-lug centers I would rather have steel. The new Cragar SS with one lug pattern might be OK. I carry a torque wrench and keep my wheels religiously torqued to 80 lbs. The lugs still eat at the wheel.
Quote from: SkylinerRon on 2015-01-21 22:42
Jeff,
My dad had some of those 16's for his 51 Tudor.
If i recall they are very narrow, like 4-4.5"
Drag racers used them as low dollar Supertricks.
Think some T-Bolts had them. Have to ask Dennis K.
Ron.
Ron, i think they used them on shoebox 6 cylinder overdrive wagons and sedan deliveries too.Possibly a 5 inch was available as well? not sure.
Quote from: wildhog on 2015-01-21 23:32
Jeff Norwell, I think the 55 Mainline UTE I just shipped into the states, has 16 " rims.I will check when I get home. If so you are welcome to them. Tom I still need to get a rim up to Jay!
YES SIR!!!!!!!!
Tom,are you going to Detroit?
Quote from: JimNolan on 2015-01-22 18:48
That would be nice, but, after having bought 6 Cragar SS and 2 U S Wheels with aluminum multi-lug centers I would rather have steel. The new Cragar SS with one lug pattern might be OK. I carry a torque wrench and keep my wheels religiously torqued to 80 lbs. The lugs still eat at the wheel.
Thats why I hate my Cragars and they are a PITA to put on..
You could do what Briney did for tire clearance. I like it. I know some don't but he did a nice job. On the hamb is a posting of a guy who grafted Volvo 240 front fenders (pieces) for the same effect, He did it on a 55 Chevy and a 56 Ford. No trouble changing a tire now.
Jeff,
I had a 51 Squire back in the 60's (and 51 Victoria too). 2 of the 3 cars I regret letting go....
I've never seen or heard of a 6 cyl wgn until 52.
The 49-51 V-8 wgns came with a 3.91 gear (3 sp) or 4.27 (o.d) They were heavy cars.
The wgn rears were Dana 44's which would bolt into the cars if you used a wgn driveshaft.
No Sedan Deliveries till 52, the 49-51's had a no back seat Business Coupe model.
The "slabsides" were great cars, just the right size.
I would like to have pair of those 16's myself with all the tires available now.
Goodluck w/your project,
Ron.