Need help figuring out wheel and tire size.

[JosephCarl]

Hello, just picked up my first Chevelle. Its a 66 4 door Malibu 327. I know I know...4 door, right? I got kids man and this thing is just perfect for me. Love the car. It has a brand new set of wheels and tires 235 60R15 with rally wheels. Looks very nice but I would like something a bit fatter and maybe a little bigger like 17'' rims. I am having a tough time getting info on this so I am here for a little guidance. I would like to go as wide as possible without any modifications. Ideally I would like the same wheels that I have just bigger and fatter. I am all ears if I should get new suspension and brakes while I am at it. The rest of the car is good. Brand new motor and over all in really good shape with only 67k original miles and the previous owner restored it 10 years ago and has been garage kept. I just want it to sit just a tad lower with wider tires. Any feedback will be much appreciated!

 

[Molly's 70]

Looks Fantastic! Leave it as it is.

 

[Chevelle_Nut]

Welcome aboard. 4 doors are awesome. Great looking car!

 

[cheveslakr]

What a great car, congrats on your new baby!! ..and welcome to the club.

 

[Molly's 70]

Seats four, why pay more.

 

[Shovelrick]

Very nice 66, More Doors are usually not beat on cars throughout their life so IMHO that's great, if you're wanting the same size all around for rotation reasons or whatever I'd look at either 245 or 255, I have 245/45r17" on the front of my 68 and did have 255/50r17" the back in my honest opinion 255 would be a little too wide in the front and more so if you're looking to lower the ride height, I personally like the look of 245/45r17" tires on 8" wide 4.5" Back Space rims on the front, 255/50r17" tires on 9.5-10" wide rims with 5.5" Back Space on the rear but 245/45 is a short sidewall IMHO, I'll post pics of mine later today after work, Sunday at latest but maybe some old pics in my phone and at this time I have 275/50r17" M&H drag radials on the rear, here's a pic of the 68 with the 255/50r17's on the back

 

[JosephCarl]

Very nice 66, More Doors are usually not beat on cars throughout their life so IMHO that's great, if you're wanting the same size all around for rotation reasons or whatever I'd look at either 245 or 255, I have 245/45r17" on the front of my 68 and did have 255/50r17" the back in my honest opinion 255 would be a little too wide in the front and more so if you're looking to lower the ride height, I personally like the look of 245/45r17" tires on 8" wide 4.5" Back Space rims on the front, 255/50r17" tires on 9.5-10" wide rims with 5.5" Back Space on the rear but 245/45 is a short sidewall IMHO, I'll post pics of mine later today after work, Sunday at latest but maybe some old pics in my phone and at this time I have 275/50r17" M&H drag radials on the rear, here's a pic of the 68 with the 255/50r17's on the back

Thank you! I this is helpful. I am gonna look at a

 

[Nashville Cat]

275 width is the biggest practical size for the rear, although 295's will fit but the wheel backspace has to be perfect.

 

[cage2592]

Kirk has a great post for measurements in the Tire and Wheel section.

How To Measure Your Car’s REAR Wheel/Tire Wells

This may or may not help with the REAR Wheel/Tire Combos REAR WHEEL WELLS Every car is different from Driver Side to Passenger Side and taking measurements of your car's Rear Wheel Wells etc is the key to what Wheel / Tire Combo size will fit without rubbing or hitting anything ; BACK SPACING &...

oldchevelles.com

 

[Leadhead]

Love the car man!!

 

[Nashville Cat]

In my experience, 66 and up Chevelles can hold a 275 wide tire in the rear.
295 may fit but it's tight.
The wheel must be centered in the wheelwell so that requires zero offset to 1/4" towards the inside.
A 8" rim would have 4.5 to 4.75" backspace.
9" would be 5 to 5.25.
10" would be 5.5 to 5.75.

 

[Shovelrick]

Here's a cpl more pics of mine, this is with 275/50r17" M&H drag radials on the back, Fusion 245/45r17" on the front

 

[JosephCarl]

I appreciate the feedback. Very helpful. After doing some more digging I found out that the front springs are CPP 1.5 inch drops and the rears are original. I think there is already some sag in the rear and that a 1.5 inch drop spring might actually raise it up a little... The rear fenders are naturally lower than the front and when I measure from the ground up the rear fender is 1 3/4'' lower than the front one even with a 1.5'' drop spring in the front. I guess I am ok with the way it sits. I think 17'' wheels would look better than the 15'' that are currently on there and a little fatter in the back..

 

[Nashville Cat]

this is with 275/50r17" M&H drag radials on the back

Very nice ! Love how "clean" your car is and the subtle "427" emblems
I have the same size tire/rims with Sport comp TA's
I'll probably use bias ply slicks on the rear since I have a 5 speed manual

 

[Shovelrick]

Very nice ! Love how "clean" your car is and the subtle "427" emblems
I have the same size tire/rims with Sport comp TA's
I'll probably use bias ply slicks on the rear since I have a 5 speed manual

View attachment 8456

I was going to put a 5 speed in when I bought this but Kathy said she never drove a stick and I was planning on a 500ish HP BB so thought since she'd also be driving the car it wouldn't be a good idea LOL I really wish I would've and just taught her, the TCI 200-R4 just made it to Tampa this morning but wasn't unloaded yet so Im picking it up in the morning before work but be awhile before I put it in, cpl weeks maybe? Oh and Thank You for the compliment on the car

 

[Nashville Cat]

I was going to put a 5 speed in when I bought this but Kathy said she never drove a stick and I was planning on a 500ish HP BB so thought since she'd also be driving the car it wouldn't be a good idea LOL I really wish I would've and just taught her, the TCI 200-R4 just made it to Tampa this morning but wasn't unloaded yet so Im picking it up in the morning before work but be awhile before I put it in, cpl weeks maybe? Oh and Thank You for the compliment on the car

I like it even more with Vintage Air !