Help choosing tire size

Discussion in 'The Hides' started by Dwayne B, May 10, 2020.

  1. Dwayne B

    Dwayne B Well-Known Member

    I have A 72 Skylark and A set of Buick rally 8in 15 wheels with 4.5 BS that I have never installed.
    I'm back and forth between 275/60/15 or 295/50/15 to run on the back.
    The car has 225/70/14 on it right now so the 295/50/15 should be about the same gearing. I'm kinda leaning towards the 295/50/15.I would appreciate any suggestion or pictures.
     
  2. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    The 295's are 26.6", about as close to original tire height as you can get. The 275's are 28" tall which will reduce your final drive. I have 3.73's, and the 275 tires, they reduce the 3.73 to about 3.55.

    Your main concern is how much your wheel wells vary side to side. I have 15 X 8 wheels with 4.5" BS. I have about 1" clearance on the passenger side, BUT, it just clears on the Driver's side. It sometimes hits on big dips. See if you can get a rough measurement from the Drum/Wheel mounting surface to the wheel well trim. Compare both sides. I think I am going to order a 15 X 8 with 5" BS just for my Driver's side. It's on my to do list.:)
     
  3. Dwayne B

    Dwayne B Well-Known Member

    Ok thanks Larry ,I appreciate your help.
     
  4. Cutlass

    Cutlass Platinum Level Contributor

  5. 87GN_70GS

    87GN_70GS Well-Known Member

    295 really needs a wider rim. 8 will work fine, just will have a little pudge to the sidewall and wear the center of the tread a bit more
     
  6. Dwayne B

    Dwayne B Well-Known Member

    Ok thanks for the help guys.
     
  7. Dwayne B

    Dwayne B Well-Known Member

    20200515_201431.jpg 20200515_201449.jpg I ended up going with A 275/60/15.
     
  8. Dwayne B

    Dwayne B Well-Known Member

    I bought A set of 15in buick rally's for the front today. I can't find A date code on them and they look like they have been rechromed .They have A nice set of 235/70/15 tires on them and I'm thinking about trying that combo on the front of my skylark .
     

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  9. RoseBud68

    RoseBud68 Well-Known Member

    Wow that's old school right there. I haven't seen a car jack up in the rear like that since the early '80's.....
     
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  10. hugger

    hugger Well-Known Member

    Need to drop the rear imo
     
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  11. 2001ws6

    2001ws6 last of the v8 interceptors

    I had mine up that high in the 90's. It was a nightmare off the line. Hopped all over. It looks cool but that was about it. :)
    Same tires as you in this picture.

    [​IMG]
     
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  12. sean Buick 76

    sean Buick 76 Buick Nut

    295/50 on 15x8 wheel. On my 75 but same idea
     

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  13. Dwayne B

    Dwayne B Well-Known Member

    I put my 15in wheels on the front and I really like how it looks. 20200518_141459.jpg 20200518_141441.jpg
     
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  14. RoseBud68

    RoseBud68 Well-Known Member

    Yep, was all the craze back in the days....My good friend had a '70 Malibu/Chevell that sat high in the rear, drove like chit. Never like the idea.
     
  15. Tim

    Tim Silver Level contributor

    I have 295’s on a 15x8” rim. I ordered a custom rim with a 5” backspace so they fit nicely in the wheel well.
    I am pretty sure that 295’s will rub on the wheel well with the 4.5” backspace.
    The beefy meets look great on my 72
     
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  16. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Yes, my 275's are very close on the Driver's side. I have a lot of room on the passenger side though. Both 8" rims have 4.5" back space. I really need to order 1 rim with 5" back space for the driver's side.
     
  17. Dwayne B

    Dwayne B Well-Known Member

    I put moog el camino springs 6435 on the back and there only 1in higher than stock with KYB shocks and I love how it looks and rides.
     
  18. gs66

    gs66 Silver Level contributor

    Dwayne, looks great as is, nice job!
     
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  19. Dwayne B

    Dwayne B Well-Known Member

    Thanks, I appreciate it.
     
  20. 87GN_70GS

    87GN_70GS Well-Known Member

    Or you can do what I did. Loosen all the bolts, lay on your back, place a good sized board on the underside, push with your feet and nudge it to the center. Of course mine was disassembled
     

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