Wheel Size....

Technical Question and Answer - On topic to 71-74 Plymouth B-bodies only.

Moderator: Site Administrators

Post Reply
72RR400

Wheel Size....

Post by 72RR400 » Sat Mar 05, 2005 8:09 pm

Hey I know there is already a topic sort of like this but mine is a bit different. Ok the question is, what is the biggest tire size that can fit on the back of a '72 road runner if it is mounted on a Rallye size 15-8 with NO backspace?
Could a 275/60-15 work, or maybe a 295/60-15?

User avatar
Dave
Site Admin
Posts: 844
Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2003 1:37 pm
My Cars: 71 Plymouth Road Runner (Project Blue Bird)
71 Satellite Sebring Plus (383/2bbl/auto)
Location: Cleveland, OH
Contact:

Post by Dave » Tue Mar 08, 2005 11:49 am

I'm not sure where you are going with "NO backspace". That would have the wheel itself partially outside the quarter panel. I'm not sure you could get a set of rallye wheels made up with no backspace at all and have them look ok from the front.

Unless you mean a 15x8 rallye with just the factory backspace, which I think is 4.5". (Ok all you rallye wheel guys, correct me if I'm wrong there. :) ) Anyway, if you mean just using a stock rim, you could easily to 275's, 295's would be pretty close clearance to the quarter panel. On the rims I have for Project Blue Bird, they have 4.75" backspace, and I have the 295's exactly centered in the wheel house, with 3/4" clearance from both the spring on the inside and the quarter panel on the outside. Figure the factory rallye would move that whole thing 1/4" outward, so you'd be looking at 1/2" or less from the quarter.

If you looked at 275's you'd have a good bit more clearance due to the smaller tire in general, but also, you'll drop a good bit in section width on the tire since you wouldn't have the same sidewall bulge that you do fitting a 295 on an 8" rim.

Hope that helps!
Dave
Founder - The Road Runner Nest

71 Plymouth Road Runner (Project Blue Bird)
71 Satellite Sebring Plus (383/2bbl/auto)

AZ-Nick
GTX (RS)
Posts: 340
Joined: Sat Sep 18, 2004 9:13 am
Contact:

Post by AZ-Nick » Tue Mar 08, 2005 7:56 pm

Dave, good response, do you have a picture of the 295 under your car?

72RR400

Post by 72RR400 » Tue Mar 08, 2005 10:42 pm

Yea I don't know what I was thinking with the whole"no backspace" thing, but thanks for the info, although I am a retard.

User avatar
Dave
Site Admin
Posts: 844
Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2003 1:37 pm
My Cars: 71 Plymouth Road Runner (Project Blue Bird)
71 Satellite Sebring Plus (383/2bbl/auto)
Location: Cleveland, OH
Contact:

Post by Dave » Wed Mar 09, 2005 10:11 am

72, don't feel bad, we all have those days. :pity: Only way to learn is to ask questions. As I've always said, there's no such thing as a dumb question - just dumb people... er... no wait... that's dumb ANSWERS.. yea, thats it. ;)

Anyway, glad I was able to help you. If you want, I can see if I can dig up the spreadsheet I used in working out tire widths, wheel size and backspace. I'm not sure if I saved it, but knowing me, it's around here somewhere.

71GTX, well, here's what I have:

A couple from when I did a test fit on my SSP:

Image

Image

Image

Image

This is the only one I have of them on the Road Runner. It doesn't have the best detail, but it's better than nothing.
Image
Dave
Founder - The Road Runner Nest

71 Plymouth Road Runner (Project Blue Bird)
71 Satellite Sebring Plus (383/2bbl/auto)

AZ-Nick
GTX (RS)
Posts: 340
Joined: Sat Sep 18, 2004 9:13 am
Contact:

Post by AZ-Nick » Wed Mar 09, 2005 10:49 am

Dave - thanks for the picture, that tire looks small (dia) in the first pic but looks great in the rest. I know you say it is a 295 but what is the complete number on it.
The rims are 4 3/4" backspace, correct?
You have made my day!!!!

I too would also like to see the spreadsheet.

Nick

User avatar
Dave
Site Admin
Posts: 844
Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2003 1:37 pm
My Cars: 71 Plymouth Road Runner (Project Blue Bird)
71 Satellite Sebring Plus (383/2bbl/auto)
Location: Cleveland, OH
Contact:

Post by Dave » Wed Mar 09, 2005 4:52 pm

Those are 295-50-15s.

I'll dig for that spreadsheet tonight, and see what I can find on it. I'll post here if I do find it!
Dave
Founder - The Road Runner Nest

71 Plymouth Road Runner (Project Blue Bird)
71 Satellite Sebring Plus (383/2bbl/auto)

AZ-Nick
GTX (RS)
Posts: 340
Joined: Sat Sep 18, 2004 9:13 am
Contact:

Post by AZ-Nick » Sat Mar 12, 2005 3:22 pm

Dave wrote:Those are 295-50-15s.

I'll dig for that spreadsheet tonight, and see what I can find on it. I'll post here if I do find it!
any luck finding it?

User avatar
road chicken
GTX (RS)
Posts: 668
Joined: Thu Oct 09, 2003 11:21 pm
Location: SE WI

Post by road chicken » Mon Mar 14, 2005 10:45 pm

To convert Metric to inches just multiply by .03937

for tread width....
EX. 275/60/15 275mm = 275 X.03937 = 10.82 inches tread

Tire diameter
10.82" X .6 ,(60%)= 6.5" sidewall height

6.5 X 2, ( to sidewalls) = 13" + 15" diameter wheel = 28" tire diameter


That will get you your tire dimension- the backspacing you'll have to figure with a straight edge from the wheel mounting face and a ruler to the wheel housing lip and spring. You should be able to determing the back spacing from there.
4th generation B bodys- there is no substitute.
68 383, Street Demon 750, RPM top end,484/284/108 poo poo cam "-5 spd 4:10 SG, 4whl disk, Helwig Anti-Sway, Poly bushings,Firm Feel Box, HD Linkage, 1" t-bars, 7 leafs Springs

AZ-Nick
GTX (RS)
Posts: 340
Joined: Sat Sep 18, 2004 9:13 am
Contact:

Post by AZ-Nick » Fri Mar 18, 2005 12:59 pm

71GTXD21 wrote:
Dave wrote:Those are 295-50-15s.

I'll dig for that spreadsheet tonight, and see what I can find on it. I'll post here if I do find it!
any luck finding it?

Post Reply