djdrgn67

I have a 1972 442. I have 15"x8.5 torq. Wheels on it and the tires rub at tight turns. I measured backs space and it's 3 3/4". I purchased the car with them. Are these wheels correct and I should try and find a lower profile tire?Front brakes are disc.

oldsmobiledave

Are you talking about front rims or back?

Perhaps tell us the tire size.

joe_padavano

^^^THIS. Without knowing the tire size, it's pretty difficult to provide much useful info.

I WILL note that an 8.5" wide wheel with 3.75" backspace has about 1" of negative offset. The original wheels were zero offset, so your wheel push the tire centerline an inch closer to the fender opening. If you have those wheels on the front, that is likely the cause of the problem. Depending on the tire size, the sidewall will be nearly 2" closer to the fender lip.

70sgeek

I run 15x8 Torq Thrusts on my 72 with 245-60-15 tires all around - correct BS for them is 4.5" to properly clear fender wells without rubbing.


You might get away with using the 8.5 on the back given the 3.375 BS on the .5 wider rim but possibly only up to a 245-60-15 tire size.

djdrgn67

just the front tires rub. The tire size is 215/65/r15. The local tire dealers says that a narrower tire might work. I don't like the "might" reaction. This is why I go to this forum. Do I need new front wheels or will different tires work? Thanks guys much appreciated.

joe_padavano

You need different wheels with the correct offset. Those 215/65-15 tires are TINY. I run 255/60-15s on the front of my 69 H/O with no issues since I have zero offset stock wheels. By the way, 8.5" wide wheels are way overkill for 215 tires.

FYI, American Racing unfortunately doesn't necessarily offer zero offset in all wheel sizes. For example, I have Torq Thrust Originals on my 67 Delta, and I wanted 15x8.5 at the back for the 275/60-15s. Unfortunately, this size only comes in the 1" negative offset. While the wheels are pushed out, the tires do clear the rear fender lips. I have 235/70-15s on the front on 15x7s that ARE available in near zero offset.

Qwik71442

Correct, the 15x8 is the wheel that has the correct 0 offset which has the 4.5" backspace and properly fits the A body. The 15x8.5 mounts the wheel too far out and will have the issue you are having. If you replace the 15x8.5 with the 15x8 you will resolve your issue. Here is the Torq Thrust line up attached.

http://www.americanracing.com/wheelS...-torq-thrust-d

djdrgn67

perfect. Exactly the info I was looking for. I like the look of the torq. I'll keep the rears on and just get two of the correct for the front. Thanks for the info.

joe_padavano

It depends on which style of Torq Thrust you want. I never liked the look of the newer wheels where the spokes curve inward at the outer edges. It looks too much like FWD wheels for my taste. That's why I went with the TTOs that have the traditional straight spokes. I have to say that looking at them side-by-side, the difference is pretty subtle.





Unfortunately, those are not offered in the 15x8 size with zero offset.

http://www.americanracing.com/wheelS...hrust-original

djdrgn67

Great advice. Got the correct 15x8 torqs on there now. Clearance for miles.