L69 equipped

Hello everyone.

I am considering changing my current 14X6 SS 1 / redline combination to a modern rim\tire combo. No , I don't want any of the goofy looking rims out there however, I found some really nice classic looking 18' rims to fit the new B.F. Goodrich red line tires. http://blog.tirerack.com/blog/docs-a...and-challenger

My only concern is front wheel well and fender clearance since these tires are quite tall. 245 / 55/ R18.

Can anyone tell me if they have ever used this size tire on the front and if so, were there any issues?

I do not want to modify the car at all.

Thanks,


Dave

tmaleck

If I did my research correctly, the 66-67 came with a 26.5 /27 inch diameter tire. These are 28.6 inches. Assuming they fit, at a minimum the speedometer will be off a bit, requiring a new driven gear or ratio adapter.

Tim

L69 equipped

Thanks,

yes the original tire size of 7.75 X 14 equates to a 26.7" diameter.

The new 18" tire comes in at 28.6" diameter so, almost 1 inch larger.

I am sure that the speedo will be off a bit, but that's not a major concern.

I would really like to know if there is enough clearance before trial and error and return shipping costs.


Dave

oldcutlass

Dave, I think that diameter tire will rub on your front rear fender well. I run a P225-70-15 which is over 1 inch smaller in diameter and they would rub on a good dip with stock height suspension. I don't have any issues with them since I raised the front.

L69 equipped

Thanks so much for the info.

I really wish they made that tire in a smaller (shorter) size.

I love the redwall look and the prices are great for a belted tire.

Oh well, I guess I will either go with a shorter (blackwall) or go with a smaller diameter (white lettering) look tire.


Dave

oldcutlass

Have you considered using one of these? Get some 15" rims.

http://www.cokertire.com/popular-tir...l-redline.html

http://www.cokertire.com/wheels/olds...si-rallye.html

Heres a tire size calculator for comparing.

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

L69 equipped

Yes , I have considered them but they are WAYYY too pricey !

I can get the 18" BFG's for alot less and honestly, the 18' rims are not that bad.

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/di...w=8&vid=008879

Like I said, if the tires were one or two sizes shorter, I would be all in for a total wheel and tire package of $ $1165.

Dave

oldcutlass

That link is no good.

L69 equipped

Sorry about that I cant seem to get it to work.

The whell is on discount tire direct.

It is an 18 inch "MB WHEELS OLD SCHOOL" in gunmetal grey.

oldcutlass

They would look good!

TripDeuces

If you change the aspect ration from 55 to 45 you'll have a 27 inch tall combo

oldcutlass

You gotta read the link, they aren't available in that size Trip. Just the size he asked about.

L69 equipped

Thanks for the input fellas.

I am in no rush at the moment, so i am going to keep some looking at some other options as well.

I can't help but think though how good those rims with the BFG redline's would look, especially for $1165 TOTAL !

Like i said earlier, I am also considering the raised white letter option but honestly, the newer style tires don't seem to come in anything except blackwall. I'm sure its because of the low profile of the sidewall.

Dave

RAMBOW

Diamond back will make any tire size and ratio you want into a redline, 15,16,17,18+, and it will look better too- won't have the line going through the damn letters like those bfgoodrich ones. They'll even do it with drag radials.

You need to talk to one of the Richard, one of the mods- he had a 66 cutlass convertible a few years ago and he re-did the suspension, and ran 18's and it looked and fit great.

Search for his thread in the major projects/builds section, its in there. You'll be blown away by all the detail work he did on that 66.

RAMBOW

This thread:
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...8-01-10-a.html

its long as hell, but well worth the time. hopefully the photos are still hosted and will show. he did amazing work- and he lists out all the specs on the suspension and wheel/tire choices he made.

for the tires i was talking about, google diamondback redlines and you'll find their site. You may have to call them to ask about 18" tires- but my understanding was that they can do their process on any available tire.

fourtwenty

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
Neat little tool

L69 equipped

Thanks for the info Rambo, I will try to look through it later today.

And thanks fourtwenty for the calculator. Interestingly enough, I have a buddy who runs an ls1 Miata and he e mailed me that same link.


Dave

gearheads78

As Ben mentioned above Diamondback is the way to go. They can make redlines on any size tire. Thats who will be doing my big whitewalls for the 54' in the future.

My old 66 I ran a 255-40-18 and 285-40-18 but the car was really low and had custom made wheels to get the exact offset I wanted.

If you are going stock height and same size all around a 245-50-18 will get you close. The 55 series is just too tall IMO

diamondback site
http://www.dbtires.com/

L69 equipped

Thanks for all of the info Richard.

I may re evaluate things and just to be safe, go with 17's and send the tires to Diamondback for the redline look that I want.

Of course shipping prices, etc. will play a factor in that decision.

Too bad they are not closer to me ( I am in Middle Tennessee).


Dave

L69 equipped

Hello everyone.

Thought I would post some before and after pictures.

Overall, I am very pleased with the option of newer rims/tires and the original in storage for original shows.

I will go wider on the rear when its time to replace.


Dave

gearheads78

Its OK.
You may take this the wrong way and many will disagree but IMO your car is too nice for cheap knock off 5 spoke one piece cast wheels like that. They are a good wheel to throw on a beater or a EBAY flip car but your car needs more thought put in to it. If you really want bigger dia 5 spokes VWW or ET is a much better way to go and you definitely need to rethink the big tire size or lower the car. Wheels , tires and stance are EVERYTHING!! in car build. They make or break the car.
You need something like one of these.

L69 equipped

Yes, I agree about the stance but I am in a bit of a dillimia with that.

I absolutely do not want to modify the car at all. As I said , I wanted to keep the original SSI's and redlines for authentic shows, so modifying the suspension is not an option.

I like the other wheels that you posted too but honestly, I think these (the ones I hve on the car) look better on a musclecar. I have a 64 Riviera with authentic period correct Keystone Classics. I "Murdered" the car out (all black including black chrome bumpers and I had the wheels black chromed as well). Needless to say, I can't take that care ANYWHERE without a crowd gathering.

With that in mind, the L69 442 is authentic and I didn't want to "alter" it with any modifications that couldn't be easily corrected. Also, every car show I go to, I see 100 cars with Torque Thrust rims, so I wanted to be a little different than the cookie cutter look without going overboard.

I am keeping an open mind on any and all modifications as long as they can be undone in no more than an hour in order to show the car at original style showings.

Thanks for the input, any and all ideas are appreciated.

Dave

66 cutlassman

Eric.... or anybody out there... So i just bought a stock 66 cutlass. I am trying to dress up my wheels...yours look good. What is the rear tire size your are using? Also what did you do to lift up the front?? I have air shocks on the rear of mine as well. Headers on yours to i see... What are those and what did it take to get those put on?Lastly...any recommendations for what i should use for my dual exhaust upgrade? I have single now and was just thinking of putting some wicked mufflers on to make it sound good but do not know what exactly i should use. I do not want it to loud but want a nice grumble. Truthfully.. i am thinking of doing it without the headers so i need something worthy and i have heard there is several good options. Any help with all this would
be greatly appreciated!