Will 15X7 wheels with a 4.25" inside offset work on my 56 Victoria?Chuck in NH (still winter here!)

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

Chuck,

        It'd be close, easiest way to tell is take a wheel you have, add whatever it takes in cardboard and mount it. I suspect it won't work with much tire in the front.

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

Chuck, a couple of passes I made with my 56 Sunliner in Columbus in 2005 was with a set of tires and wheels that measured 15X7 with a 4 1/4 inch back spacing and the tire size was 245/60R/15. These are what I run on the T-bird sometimes as well with no problems.

-Gary Burnette-

Chuck,

I run 16" x 7" (4.25" offset) Ford Explorer wheels on my 56 with 225/60/16's and I have about 3/4" clearance on inner and outer side walls. You should have no problem.

Rob

I love the smell of burning rubber in the morning!

Hey Rob ,

Do your rims have a 4.25 backspace ??? Or is that the meassurement on the outside ??? I'm thinking of putting a set of 17inch Torque Thrust 11 on the Vicky and just checking what backspace I need for the rear ??? Hoping to run 8 inch out back ,but may have to order a custom 5 inch backspace.

Regards Lon

yblocksdownunder

I had a catalog of tools from Summit Racing and they had a gizmo that would bolt to your axle, and you could set a crossbar to replicate the tire diameter, width, and wheel offset you are considering.  Then you rotate the axle to see if the tire would clear all around.  Use it on the front with the wheels straight ahead and also turned to each extreme.  Unfortunately, I chose not to keep that catalog.  It had a lot of the same stuff Eastwood sells.  I also saw an article in a magazine where a guy built one from a couple of yardsticks, probably where the tool maker stole the idea.  Unfortunately, I can't remember where I saw the article.  If I had seen it 40 years ago, I'd remember.

John

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

John, that article you recall was in an issue of legendary fords from a couple of months ago. They were trying to see what would fit on a falcon.

Chuck, if you dont have that article and would like a copy. I could copy it & send it to you.

Thanks all. I do have the article and its pretty simple. I think I might be able to do it! Thanks for the responses. Chuck

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

Lon,

I'm pretty sure they are a 4.25" back spacing, but I can measure to be sure. (I wouldn't trust my memory either). I have seen guys with 8" rims on the back, but I am pretty sure you would have to go with a custom offset. I can maaaybe go one tire size bigger without rubbing, but I am content and feel safe with what I have. Right now I have to jack one side of the car up at a time to get the wheels in by tilting the axel. If I lift the entire back end level, the tires won't get past my wheel wells. It also may be caused by the 1 1/2" lowering blocks I have in the rear?  Someday I would like to do a mini tub on the car,something like John did on the Hoosier ( don't worry John, I won't tell your secret) and get a 9 or 10" rim in the rear, but I think I will build my motor first.

Rob

I love the smell of burning rubber in the morning!

Stock wheels are 14" x 5" correct???  The tires I'm looking at (shown below) want a minimum of 6" width.  Is this possible to do safely?  Plus these are radials on bi-ply wheels.  Otherwise the next size down (width wise) is a 215/70/14 - and it still shows a minimum of 5.5".  I'd rather not spend money on wheels right now, and I'm desperately in need of tires.  I know I could look at a different brand, but I was hoping these would work.  Thoughts? -John

Brand:	Cooper Tire
Product Line:	Cooper Cobra G/T Tires
Part Type:	Tires
Part Number:	COO-39634
Tire Size:	225/70-14
Rim Diameter (in):	14 in.
Sidewall Style:	Solid white letters
Tire Construction:	Radial
Directional:	No
Tire Diameter (in):	26.27 in.
Section Width (in):	8.92 in.
Tread Width (in):	7.20 in.
Speed Rating:	T
Minimum Recommended Rim Width (in):	6.00 in.

John: Lake Forest, IL



'57 Fairlane 500 - Looking better every day.