[chiphead]

Guys,

I need some kind of radial tire for the track better than street tires. Can somebody recommend a wheel/tire combo for the following car setup:

'67 LeMans, Ford 9" with 3.90s (poncho factory width),
400/TH350, 3600lb race weight, shooting for low 12s.
Driven to and from track. Otherwise I'll run street tires.
Fit stock wheelhouse, no screws, beadlocks, tubes, etc.
I need a 15" rim, 8" wide, GM bolt pattern. Centerline-style preferred.

What tire should I run? What backspacing on the rims? I just need two wheels/tires for when I go import hunting at the track.

Thanks! Chip

[b-man]

Originally Posted by chiphead

Guys,

I need some kind of radial tire for the track better than street tires. Can somebody recommend a wheel/tire combo for the following car setup:

'67 LeMans, Ford 9" with 3.90s (poncho factory width),
400/TH350, 3600lb race weight, shooting for low 12s.
Driven to and from track. Otherwise I'll run street tires.
Fit stock wheelhouse, no screws, beadlocks, tubes, etc.
I need a 15" rim, 8" wide, GM bolt pattern. Centerline-style preferred.

What tire should I run? What backspacing on the rims? I just need two wheels/tires for when I go import hunting at the track.

Thanks! Chip

A pair of 15X8s with 5-1/2" backspacing will fit with some M/T 275/60-15 DRs.

Assuming of course that your 9" rear was built to the same width as the stock '67 10-bolt.

If you can't find an aluminum aftermarket 8" wheel that has 5-1/2" backspace consider having a pair of steel wheels custom made to your specs.

[lust4speed]

Summit racing has some of their Summit brand wheels in the correct size and at a good price. I just ordered a set of custom steel wheels from Summit in the same size and they were not at a good price. It's costing me a fortune to go back to the "poverty cap" look that my car came with.

Don't forget to trim the outer fender lip back to the existing screw line and tap in the fender a little past the frame on the inside.

[chiphead]

When you say M/T drag radials, do you mean the DRs or the ET street radials?

Are the wheelhousings the same between '64 and '67? I seem to recall that others have recommended 4.5 to 4.75" backspace for a '67. Just askin' to be sure. And what is the lug bolt circle for our cars?

thanks!

[b-man]

Originally Posted by chiphead

When you say M/T drag radials, do you mean the DRs or the ET street radials?

Are the wheelhousings the same between '64 and '67? I seem to recall that others have recommended 4.5 to 4.75" backspace for a '67. Just askin' to be sure. And what is the lug bolt circle for our cars?

thanks!

With the stock width rearend 4.5 to 4.75 " backspace might work for a 7" wheel, but for an 8" wheel you be 1" too far out to fit the biggest tire. Your car has a 5 on 4.75" bolt circle.

Trust yourself, measure for yourself. With a measuring tape and any kind of straightedge (yardstick) it's easy to figure out.

This link shows you how easy it is:http://earlywheel.com/choosing.html

[BruceWilkie]

I got a pair of Weld Draglites 15x8 with the 5 1/2 backspace. I bought them new quite awhile back. Never mounted a tire on them as the car they were destined for was sold. PM me with reasonable offer + shipping! (I'll be cheaper than you can buy them for now) if you didnt know, they are multiple pattern 4.5 or4.75 bolt circle.

[lust4speed]

Like b-man says, do your own measuring. The stock rearend in the 67 was 60-15/16" from axle flange to axle flange. If your 9" varies from this, then you're going to need a different backspace.