255/60-15 on '68 Riviera?

Discussion in 'A boatload of fun' started by NOTNSS, Nov 19, 2004.

  1. NOTNSS

    NOTNSS Gold Level Contributor

    What's the stock width of a '68 Riviera wheel? I'm guessing 6" but hoping 7".
    Here's the good old tire question: what's the max I can fit under the '68?

    How about 255/60-15s?

    Thanks.
     
  2. 67RivDog

    67RivDog RivDogg is in rehab.

    Not sure of the stock wheel width, but...

    I've currently got 245/60-15's on my '67 Rivi. The first set of tires I had (on the same aftermarket rims) were 245/50-15's.

    No clearance issues on either.
     
  3. gs4u2c

    gs4u2c Is that a 442?

    I believe they are 15x6. I would think 255/60 would be too wide for the rim, but would still clear the wheelwells.
     
  4. cadmanzx

    cadmanzx Master Yachtsman

    Frank, do you have any pics of you car that you could post? I'm looking at picking up a '68. It has factory mags and cone caps! But I would eventually put new tires on it. I'd like to see what others are doing.
     
  5. RIVI1379

    RIVI1379 Well-Known Member

    wheels

    the roadwheels are 15x6...i had 275-60-15 on the rear for years-no prob...they will get close to the shock mounting points at the axle if underinflated. Otherwise, it is a nice look. If you go with an aftermarket wheel with different backspacing you can go wider on the tire. Plenty of wheelwell on 66-69 Rivs. Good luck, hope that helps.
     
  6. 67RivDog

    67RivDog RivDogg is in rehab.

    :beer 245/50-15's all around. I've got to get some new pics. But here it is.
     

    Attached Files:

  7. NOTNSS

    NOTNSS Gold Level Contributor

    What's the backspacing on those wheels Frank?

    I noticed today that backspacing is a real issue with the Riviera since it has such large diameter drums. The drum wouldn't fit inside my stock GS wheels with 4.25" BS (I know, the bolt pattern is different). I layed the GS wheel on the ground and dropped the drum inside - no way. The Riv wheels have only 3" backspacing. Looks like to get even an 8" wheel under there and centered might require something other than 15".
     
  8. 67RivDog

    67RivDog RivDogg is in rehab.

    Sorry, I have no idea of the backspacing on those wheels. They were purchased over ten years ago. :Do No:


    I vow to make detailed notes of my upgrades in the future so I can be a helpful member of this board. :Smarty:
     
  9. Phil Racicot

    Phil Racicot Well-Known Member

    Hi Frank,

    Does your Riv have drum brakes at the front? If yes, was there a clearance problem with the drum fins?
    A friend of mine had to grind them to fit aluminium wheels on his 67.
     
  10. 67RivDog

    67RivDog RivDogg is in rehab.

    Nope. No grinding of the drums, but they're reaalllly close. :shock:
     
  11. NOTNSS

    NOTNSS Gold Level Contributor


    My bet would be that you have either 3" or maximum 3/5" backspacing.
     
  12. GS69350

    GS69350 Buick NUT

    We had a 69 riviera in here with 255 70 15 tires mounted on the stock big car rallye wheels. Aside from the fact that these tires were HUGE there were not clearance issues on any corners.

    Dan
     
  13. bob k. mando

    bob k. mando Guest

    BqUICK is talking about outfitting his electra GSX with 275 nascar slicks .... course, that's a highly modified almost purpose built road racer and i have no idea what mods he might have had done to the wheel wells. :puzzled: :error: :pp :3gears: :Brow:

    hey, don't look at me, i think these wide bodies handle just fine if you set em up and strip em down right. how does that saying go? widerer is bedderer? :beer
     
  14. bob k. mando

    bob k. mando Guest

  15. 67Riv

    67Riv Active Member

    I'm the friend Phil was talking about.

    I have American Racing Outlaw 1s. 15X7 up front and 15X8 in the back. Backspacing is 3.75" and as Phil mentioned, I did have to do some grinding of the fins (a lot for the back wheels to fit, just a tad up front)

    Tires are 235/70 15 front, 275/60 15 back. Will swap the 235/70s for 245/60s up front next spring which should lower the car up front an extra inch, which is just what it needs to get the stance I'm looking for.

    No rubbing front or back.

    Serge.
     

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  16. 1969riv

    1969riv Well-Known Member

    So let me get this straight before I go order these tires 255/60's are not too big for the 15.6 ralley wheel on my 69 riv?

    thanks, will
     
  17. 67Riv

    67Riv Active Member

    Hi 1969riv,

    According to BF Goodrich (fot the tires I have which are Radial T/As), you would need a 7 to 9 in. wide wheel to fit a 255/60 15 tire. I'm not an expert but I'm pretty sure that's what other tire manufacturers would recommend as well. On a 6 in wheel, largest recommended is 235/70. Otherwise, the tires would bulge out too much from the rim and could pop off the rim under heavy cornering.

    Serge.
     
  18. 1969riv

    1969riv Well-Known Member

    Man I was really hoping you wouldnt say that I really wanted to get some wider tires out back without having to change the wheels. In fact I was going to get the BFG's. The only reason I wanted to clarify was because I thought I heard someone say that they ran the 255/60's with no prob on the 15x6 wheels.

    thanks, will
     
  19. wildriv430

    wildriv430 low budget gearhead

    the 67 riv rallye wheels have a 3 5/8 inch backspacing. i fit 15x8 torq thrusts with 3 7/8 backspacing on without grinding fins.... Used longer studs on all 4 wheels. Had to use 1/2 inch spacers to clear drums and 3 inch pipes on rears.
    On fronts had to grind off rivets that hold drum to hub but otherwise fit fine, no rubs with 235/70 tires.
     
  20. Yardley

    Yardley Club Jackass

    Yes, you don't want to put a wider tire on a rim than the manufacturer recommends.

    I had 275 60 15s on the Riv but the sidewall was really mushy and made the handling questionable. I went with 255s and I must keep the rears inflated to 38 lbs to keep the handling in check.

    If you get the right wheel, you can go even bigger than 275s.

    But on these Rivs backspacing is key as the lower shock mount is very close to the inside sidewall of the tire and a too deep backspace will let the sidewall contact the shock mount.
     

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