Good morning, I think I've got it narrowed down to what I want to run on the back of my Skylark. It's a stock width rear with drum brakes, I'm looking at running a rear rim 15x8 with either 5 inches or 5.25 inches of backspacing, for a 275/60-15 tire or 295/60-15 (is that possible, or just too wide?). Along with this I also need to swap out my old springs, so I am looking at going with either the Moog 5231(free height of 15.7 inches), or the Moog 5237 (free height of 14.8 inches). Both springs have the approximate install height of around 8 inches. I have spent the last couple of days free time looking and reading up on these issues but I would like the input from you guys, as always any info is greatly received and will not fall on deaf ears. Thanks, Doug
275's will fit if backspacing is correct. The 5 to 5.25 you mentioned is about right. You really need to test fit if possible. Often the rear isn't perfectly centered under the car so there may be a difference in tire clearance from one side to the other. If you have too much backspace, you can always use wheel spacers to make small adjustments. Not enough backspace= trimming fender lips. For rear springs, don't worry about free length, that will vary depending on the wire diameter and rate. Instead look at the installed height and the weight it's rated to support. For 8.5" installed height: 5237: 703 lbs rate= 110 lbs/in 5231: 803 lbs rate= 110 lbs/in 6197: 878 lbs rate= 138 lbs/in 5235: 1104 lbs rate= 143 lbs/in (Special station wagon) I like the 6197's for my '66's. A touch higher than stock but fits the larger 15" tires better.
Walt, I thought I would have to try and get the tire shop to let me see each one mounted, see which is best and make the decision based o fitment. I think that would work best, I also think the issue will be finding rims with the backspacing they don't mind using for a mock-up. I would like to get the BS dead on so I don't have to deal with spacers, just one less thing to deal with. As far as the coils go, I looked in my books last night trying to find the stock coil installed height, everything I saw showed approximately 5+ inches, on Moog's website, they show the springs installed height at around 8 inches. Thanks for the info, you gave me some goods points to think about! Doug
If you still have the original rearend in the car then you will need a 5" backspacing on the wheels to fit those tires. My `65 has a 5.5" backspace with 275/60-15 tires but I have a `70 rearend in the car, which 1" wider overall, basically 1/2" wider on each end. And I do not have much room either on the inside or the outside. I can't get my fingers in between the tire and fenderwell or the tire and frame, and I don't have fat fingers. You might get away with a 5.25" but they'll probably rub in corners or going in and out of driveways.
Bill, Great info, thanks! Man, I love your car, the stance is dead nuts on, and I like both wheel/tire combos you run on it. Ever thought about adopting a 51 year old with a good job? You're running lowering springs right? Doug
Bill, I thought I remembered reading in one of your threads you ran 1" drop springs. I've seen several kits lately that look really good. Doug
