tkcutlass

So after playing musical tires with three sets of 14-inch wheels, I found the set of wheels that have bolt-on centers are drum-only.
Ok great put a set back to where they were and use the crappy tires but clear the calipers.
Tested the front and they could now spin freely.
Put the back tires on and nope no good the rear calipers must be larger.
Well, that shouldn't be a problem I have a set of 15" rims I was planning on using anyway.
What, the 15" doesn't clear the rear caliper either!

So what are my choices?

Wheel Spacer.
Grind caliper.
Fork up the $$ for 17"

Thoughts?

Koda

All Oldsmobile factory SSII rims clear factory disc brakes. Non-factory applications may require special wheels. I recommend factory disc up front, drum in back, and run either SSIIs or SSIs with the beauty rings, because they clear factory disc, too.

Fun71

Rear calipers? You’re gonna have to measure and get a wheel that fits your non-factory setup.

Bryan Burch

I might add, if you are forced to go 17", American Racing's VN501 series does a great job representing a modern take on the SS1. I use Thornton's center caps on mine.

cdrod

Tim:
What are you installing for the rear disc conversion? I don't recommend heavy grinding on the calipers as this can weaken the "bridge" area and they can split in half under hard braking. It you just need a little taken off the edges or something minor should be ok but avoid grinding across the top. I test fitted 2001 Blazer rear discs in a 15" SSII (snap-on center caps) it looked like it would be a tight fit. This was not the ratchet style WS6 calipers I see in most of the aftermarket kits. Most of these kits say they will fit 15" wheels but I see enough postings on the car forums to know this is not always "plug-and-play".

If you decide to go with bigger rims, US Mags makes an affordable, cast wheel similar to the Olds SSIs in 17" & 18" diameters; it's called the Bandit U109. I'm running 18x8 & 18x9 on my car as tire selection is much better in 18" sizes.

Rodney

Olds64

If you get a set of wheel spacers I would make sure they are quality. Don't buy parts store cheapies.

I wouldn't grind on OE or aftermarket brake parts.

Spending the money on bigger wheels might be your best bet. Keep us posted.

joe_padavano

^^^THIS. SSII wheels in every factory-available size were installed on cars with factory disk brakes. Virtually no aftermarket rear disc brake kit will clear SSII wheels.

tkcutlass

The 3.55 posi I bought from a GTO came with the rear discs.

The bad: I probably need to go with larger rims.
The good: going from around a 26 to a 32-inch tire will drop highway revs considerably.