I got asked about this, and not being a 65 guy I have no idea. Will a 245/60/15 tire with a standard offset 15x7 ralley wheel fit on the front without rubbing? 255/60/15 fit on back? Thanks in advance.
These threads might help, https://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/tire-wheel-question.362304/#post-3119777 https://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/1965-skylark-gs-front-tires.283422/ https://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/how-big-1965-gs-front-tires.362093/
Thanks Larry, I saw those, but couldn't see a conclusion if the 245 would work. Pretty sure the 255's will be ok. Hopefully someone has real world experience with the 245's up front.
Chris, If you take a look at the BS on the 14 X 6" wheels for the early cars, you'll see they have more BS (4 1/2")than the later 6" wheels and even 15" wheels that are 7" wide. That is a clue in and of itself. Wheel width is what really determines BS requirements, it doesn't matter whether they are 14" wheels, or 20's. If Buick had 4 1/2" BS on a 6" wheel, then, a 7" wheel wants another 1/2" to keep it centered in the wheel well. That means 5" BS if you want to get the biggest tires. Based on that, I'm going to say no to your original question. That's my best guess.
I tried 245/60/15 on 7 inch rallye rims all the way around on my '64. The fronts are 2 inch drop spindles, and they rubbed the upper inside of the wheel house along the shoulder of the tires (outer edge along the radius). I replaced the hex head bolts with rounded internal wrenching, but that just made the "GRITCH" less obnoxious when the tire edge tread contacted the bolts. The contact only occurred when I would hit a dip in the road (and in Florida, all the roads have dips as they pave over turtles, armadillos, possum and the occasional dog or cat that takes naps in the road. So, I put 225/70/14s back on the front. The "look" is not that much different, and no rubbing at all. But I did like the way it handles with the big meats on the front.
It would have, just not as much/often. There just is not enough clearance. Perhaps with the different backset placing them further inside might make them work. Other than the "attention" it got when they rubbed, I really did not mind, it just sounded worse than it was. But, I figured, eventually the wheelhouse was going to wear through, and then likely slice and dice the tires, and that would be a bad day.
FWIW I put 245/60/15 on the rear of my 67 ...... It didn't make it out the driveway tire rub..... I will admit I still have the center skirt bracket on the car... Its only 16 gauge steel. Biggest tire in my option would be a 235/60/15....... Current tire on is a 225/70/14 which is very close to the 235/60/15...... Comes to new tires I'll be getting 225/70/14s the 15'' wheels are just flat out ugly...
I finally went with 17’s after much debate in my head but glad I did it. First time I ever bought wheels larger than 15”. I now have tons of tire choices. I don’t like rubber band tires and these still have some meat on them.
I was there this week. We lived in Crestview for 10 years and still have friends and family there. I went down to visit and had hopes of going to the car show on Saturday but it was postponed because of the rain. I am thinking of going again next.
I am a member of the car club that puts on that show. It has been rescheduled for May 15th. Bet you one green banana who is not going to attend... Next time you are going to come down and you have a little time, let me know. We can grab a big kid soda pops or whatnot. The Hub City BBQ and Pig Pit is good eats.
Sounds good. I belonged to the club when we lived there. I stopped and visited with George Kennedy while I was there and a couple other old friends in the area. I won't be coming back this year but right now I am planning to come down again next year.
255/60-15 fit fine in the rear I think I could go 1” wider but would need wider wheels. I do have a ‘65 chevelle rear. When measuring for front 245/60-15 would rub (Larry’s last post). I do have the old H-O disc brake conversion with lowered springs and 70’s F-body spindles.
