1968 Chevelle

[Wflohr]

Anyone know what's the widest tire you can put on rear of a 68 Chevelle. I measured the wheel well as 13 inches but I just wouldn't know backspacing.

[WallaceMFG]

Chevelles were blessed with enormous wheel tubs as you found out, so they will handle substantial rubber. The widest I've seen was a 315 on a 11" wheel with about 6.5" backspacing in stock tubs. The car had about 1/2" of clearance on both sides, which to me seems a little tight for autocrossing, you'd have to make sure the lateral movement of the rear end was minimal.

The generic rule of thumb I've heard for backspacing on Chevelles is to take the rim width, add one inch, and divide by two. This method works up to 10" wheels, after that it doesn't really work. Good luck

[Barrrf]

^^^^

What he said........305s seem to be the consensus as safe. Having said that, the 285s on my car are clear on one side, but very tight on the other.

I blame the PO.

[WallaceMFG]

^^^^

What he said........305s seem to be the consensus as safe. Having said that, the 285s on my car are clear on one side, but very tight on the other.

I blame the PO.

I agree with you on the offset. I went with the same size wheels as you, I'm gonna get small spacers for the back to center the wheel in the tub. Plus, I think they look better when they're pushed out towards the fenders.

[gmorris]

I'm running 315's on an 11" wheel on my '69 with no issues but it's tight. I'm also running johnny joint control arms and hard bushings do the rear dif moves very little laterally.

[Wflohr]

So a 305 tire is good, that is 12 inches wide? I wanna be safe and not worry about rubbing but want as wide as possible.

[Schwartz Performance]

A 305 tire would fit a 10 to 11" rim. If you actually measure an 11" rim it is 12" wide- as the 11 comes from where the tire bead seats.

-Dale

[Wflohr]

with 1/2 inch on each side of tire with the 13 inch wheel well, should i go smaller?

[bergsvette]

Not to pirate this thread, but... What tire are you running for the 305 or 315? I am building a 69 Chevelle and can't find anything in these sizes for an 18" wheel. I am open to +1 or -1 for wheel size to make it work. Thanks and sorry again for butting in.