CarCrazyChemist

I am about to purchase the Cutlass Supreme I have been eyeing. I was curious what you guys thought about my tire and wheel selection, as I have never purchased aftermarket wheels nor tires before.
I was planning on running BF Goodrich Radial T/As, 245/60SR15 on Jeg's Cragar D Window Knockoffs, at 15X8 inches with the 5 X 4.75 bolt pattern and 3.75" backspacing. Do these sound like a decent/legitimate fitting/looks/handling setup?

66luvr

That doesn't sound like enough backspacing to me, but I'm no expert. I would think 15x8 would need more like 4.5" backspacing.


Mike

oldcutlass

Here's a recent discussion on your question:


https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...7-cutlass.html

CarCrazyChemist

Thanks. I actually read through that discussion and still am kind of at a loss for what I need to make a wheel and tire combination fit. It seems like having ~4 inches difference between the wheel offset and width should work. Would fitment issues be more of a concern due to the width of the wheel/tire combination, or more of a height concern with the choices I had?

oldcutlass

Outside of custom made wheels, there are general offset availabilities for ea wheel width. The wheel widths generally available are 6, 7, 8, 8.5, and 10. In most cases an 8 or 8.5 is what will fit under a stock height 67 with p275-60-15 or smaller without issues. 10's may rub on the outside of the tire to wheel lip on the fender.

CarCrazyChemist

Thank you Eric. So it sounds like the wheels are a solid choice, but I may want to verify my height on the tires?

tmaleck

I think 245/60 is a bit short. The car came with about 27 inch tall tires. I bought 255/60 that are 27.1"
Tim

oldcutlass

I run a 27.99" tire in the rear and I would recommend either a P275-60-15 or a P225-70-15. For the front, if the car is stock height, P225-60-15 (25.63), P215-70-15 (26.85) or little less.


This is a good calculator for tire sizes:


http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/infoTireMath.dos

tecar442

I've got 245-60R15 BFG's on my '67 442 convertible all the way around. They are on Wheel Vintques 15X8 SS1 wheels. They rub just a little when I hit a bump while turning a corner.

CarCrazyChemist

Thank you very much. I am very excited to be one step closer to putting the Cutlass on the road.

CarCrazyChemist

I think I may go with 225/60R15 tires on all four corners to keep the same characteristics on each corner, without fitment issues and the ability to obtain a higher speed rated tire for the street.

oldcutlass

The 225-60-15 may be a bit short in the rear. My discount tire shop here in town will let me test fit tires/wheels before I buy them, maybe your tire shop will do the same.

CarCrazyChemist

I figured they would be shorter in the rear as well if they were a good size for the front. I eventually plan to lower the car some to a more "touring" set-up, so eventually the wheelwell gap will be smaller. I guess the wheel and tire combo in rear should make my speedometer a bit slow, but that should be fine. Is there any additional stresses or wear which may occur from running a slightly smaller overall size combination on the drive axle?