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I have a 64 Cutlass and I acquired a set of Wheels Vintiques similar to the SS2 style wheel. They are 14x7 I believe 4 1/4 back spacing. What size tire can I put on these rims that will not cause any tire rubbing on the front fenders? I also have Oldsmobile SS2 14X6 rims what size tire for these if that would be a better option for no tire rubbing?
Last edited by harleyrules; Feb 28, 2022 at 08:10 AM.
Given the extremely limited choices in 14" tires today, unless you want to pay big bucks for Coker repros, the 225/70-14 is about the largest commonly available tire. These are just about the same outside diameter as the originals so they fill the wheel wells nicely. Yes, BFG sells a 245/60-14, but it's an inch smaller in diameter and barely 3/4" wider than the 225/70. Those 245/60s leave a lot of daylight in the wheel wells in my opinion. The BFG Silvertown redline 225/70-14s look really nice, but since Coker took over distribution the price has gone through the roof.
Thank you Joe, what off set would be the best so it doesn't rub the edge of the front fender?
If you're using the 14" that you have there is no issue on offset, just the diameter of the tire. You may have rubbing issues if you use a P225-70-14 up front. As far as purchasing new wheels, backspacing and offset are based on the wheel width you choose.
Ok, I mounted the Wheels Vintiques similar to the SS2 style wheel with the 215/75R14 redline tires that came on them onto my 64 Cutlass. The front tires will hit the fender when making a sharp turn. Which tire would work better so nothing hits? Also can anyone tell me what the correct height from the ground to middle of fender should be in case I have weak springs?
The optional oversize tires on the 1964 cars were 7.50x14, which were 27" in diameter with a 7.65" section width. 215/75-14s are only 26.7" in diameter with an 8.46" section width. With zero offset wheels they should clear fine.
How do I determine if these wheels have a zero offset or not?
With a ruler and some math.
For zero offset, the backspace minus the lip thickness should be half the rim width. This puts the wheel mounting surface exactly in the center. If the backspace minus lip thickness is greater than half the width, that's positive offset that pulls the tire inboard towards the frame rails. If smaller than half the width that's negative offset that pushes the tire outboard towards the wheel opening.
This illustration is showing negative offset, as the wheel mounting surface is closer to the backside than the front side of the wheel.
Thank you. I'll measure the rims tomorrow and see what I have. If they are in fact zero offset and the tires are rubbing the fender then I guess the front springs are sagging?
The carrying height measurements for the car are on Page 9-108 of the 1964 Chassis Service Manual. The height is measured from the ground to the flat portion of the bottom of the rocker panels. The car should be parked on a flat, level surface. The front height is measured just behind the start of the rocker panel aft of the front fender and should be 10". Rear is measured just in front of the rear wheel opening and should also be 10". Note that this is with the OEM tire size. Different tires will obviously change the measurement. It's probably more important that they are equal than that they match the listed numbers.
I measured my rims and I have a positive offset of approx 1 inch. The wheel mounting surface is closer to the outside of the rim then the inside. So where do I go from here? Why would the front tires rub the fender when making a sharp turn?
