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View Full Version : Need advice on a sticky wheel & tire solution



switchblade327
08-05-2013, 05:26 PM
I'm going a little crazy trying to figure out what to do and hope someone here can help with advice. This is not only a technical problem but a strategic one:

My 1966 Chevelle is nearly out of the restoration shop and almost ready to drive. One of the last things to go on is a set of 13" brakes, which won't fit under the wheels I currently have. I want to go as wide as possible with wheels and tires, which is going to require custom wheels with custom offsets and the wait time that comes with this (I'm being told 2 months). I need to get some kind of wheels for it sooner than that so it's not on blocks in the shop for 2 months and so I can hopefully bring it home. To make matters worse, the car has a hydroboost installed, which is way too much brake for the stock-ish discs & drums so it's hard to stop without locking up & sliding (otherwise I might leave the brakes off until I can get the wheels).

Here are my options:
1)Wait 2-3 more months to get my car (it's been years; he wants it out and I want it back ASAP. This might not not be an option)
2)Buy the cheapest 18"+ wheels I can find, new (off the shelf) or used and run those until I get the custom-made ones, then sell them
3)Get some spacers so I can find cheaper, newer model 18" wheels (like stock camaro wheels) and not drive the car hard (I know spacers suck) til I get the right wheels
4)Disable the hydroboost somehow and do the brakes once I actually have wheels that will fit; the 13" brakes aren't actually on yet. (this might be the no-brainer but I have a great deal with my builder [also a friend] and it may cost me more to do this than to buy then flip wheels after a couple of months)
5)Your suggestion?

I know I did some things wrong to paint myself and my builder in this corner. But here I am. How would you get out of this one?

Red67Mustang
08-06-2013, 01:34 PM
Not sure this would work for you, but I'd take the 18" wheels off my wife's SUV and use them just enough to tow the project car home / into the garage then put it on jack stands. The wheels go back on the SUV and wait for the new wheels/ tires.

Do you shave a buddy willing to loan you his wheels for such a purpose?

switchblade327
08-06-2013, 02:20 PM
Thanks for the reply. I might be able to borrow wheels but the distance between shop and home is pretty big (hundreds of miles) plus the car is almost done otherwise, beyond the very important ability to actually roll :)

TheJDMan
08-06-2013, 02:31 PM
A lot of late model cars have 18" spare tires that you might be able to pick up at a salvage yard. Not a drivable option but you could certianly move it around that way.

switchblade327
08-06-2013, 02:52 PM
That's a great idea, Steve. I hadn't considered that but it seems like they'd be perfect rollers. For my particular needs, I would need something that can make it pretty much cross-country.

Red67Mustang
08-06-2013, 03:55 PM
What about the pizza cutter spares and U-Haul trailer?