Need help badly with front tire/wheel size/backspace on 71

mike229 · 09-27-2004, 10:32 AM

I have 15x8 with 4" Backspace (factory) on the front of my 71 with 255/60/15 - NO RUBBING!

The wheels I have and MUST use are 15x8.5 with a 3.5" Backspace.
I put the 255's on them on the front and they rub bigtime - cant use em.

Do you think 235/60/15 will work on the front?

I guess I need someone to answer who has tried a similar sized wheel...

Thanks!

leadfoot4 · 09-28-2004, 06:52 AM

Are your front fenders untouched? From '78 to '82, the 'Vettes came from the factory with the lower front edge of the fenders trimmed, because 255/60s were OE by then.

If your fenders are stock, you might try that. If that doesn't appeal to you, I would think that using the 235s would be OK, but the 235 is a bit short for the car, and a tad narrow for an 8.5" wheel.

mike229 · 09-28-2004, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leadfoot4

Are your front fenders untouched? From '78 to '82, the 'Vettes came from the factory with the lower front edge of the fenders trimmed, because 255/60s were OE by then.

If your fenders are stock, you might try that. If that doesn't appeal to you, I would think that using the 235s would be OK, but the 235 is a bit short for the car, and a tad narrow for an 8.5" wheel.

Thanks Leadfoot! - I dont want to trim the fenders so I am going to try the 235s and see how they look/fit. If they dont work, I found out I may be able to get the same wheel in a 15x7 or 15x7.5 (keep the 8.5s on the rear) which may allow me to use 245s in front...

Trial and error I guess unfortunately!