Will 245/50/17's fit all the way around on a 71?

[Whiplash]

I posted another thread on Rims and Tires. Now I'm at the point where I don't think 245/45/17's all around are the right fit. The 245/50's measure out correctly but I don't know if they'll rub on the front or not. The G70/15's on the car now come very close to rubbing but they don't have the straight sidewall the newer tires would have.

Please let me know if you have these on your car and are happy with them or not. I'm interested in early 70's cars as they have less fender clearance than later sharks.

Thanks.

Whiplash

 

[tomsgota724spd]

Hey Wiplash 255/45/17's fit even better. I've got 17 by 8 rims with the same offset as stock. They ride handle and look great. The rims clear the calipers by atleast a 1/4 inch. It has been the best upgrade to my car yet!

 

[tomsgota724spd]

At full lock the front tires rub slightly on the frame. But the 225 70 15's did too.

I have bf goodrich kdw tires. I have been very happy with them.

 

[tomsgota724spd]

I've got edelbrock Eb 454 rims on mine. The rims just plain look tough! The backspacing is either 4 or 4 1/4 inches. I can't remember witch. Measure your stock rims from the inside lip to the hub face of the rim.

 

[Whiplash]

At full lock the front tires rub slightly on the frame. But the 225 70 15's did too.

I have bf goodrich kdw tires. I have been very happy with them.

O.K. How about 255/50/17's They're 27 inches tall with a section width of 10 inches. They're almost the same as 255/60/15's that came stock on later years but I'm worried about fit on early 70's. My 78 had the 255/60/15's and had no problems but I just need some expert advice. The tire shop is pushing the 255/50/17's pretty hard because the 245/50's are hard to come by.

Thanks again.

Whiplash

 

[1971Ultra]

Hey Whiplash,

I'm running BFG 255/50/17 all the way around. They are a tight fit. In the back they rubbed up against the e-brake cables. That was resolved by tying the cable closer to the frame. Other options which take more time and $$$ are to relocate the e-brake cables or offset t-arms. The fronts rub on the inner wells on hard turns.

IMO 245/45/17 are the best fit with no mods, followed by the 255/45/17 which is probably what I will go with next when time comes.

 

[tomsgota724spd]

Tire clearance

O.K. How about 255/50/17's They're 27 inches tall with a section width of 10 inches. They're almost the same as 255/60/15's that came stock on later years but I'm worried about fit on early 70's. My 78 had the 255/60/15's and had no problems but I just need some expert advice. The tire shop is pushing the 255/50/17's pretty hard because the 245/50's are hard to come by.

Thanks again.
Whiplash

Whiplash. THe 255/50/17's are too tall. You are correct in that they are the same hight as stock. But because you are going wider in cross section "255" or "245" the tires will rub on the rear of the front inner fenders when turning. The shorter aspect ratio "45" reduces the tire diameter between 3/4 to a 1/2 inch. Allowing adequate clearance.

 

[tomsgota724spd]

more on tire size

Whiplash, You will also need to zip tie your parking brake cables to your lower control arms like 1971ultra mentioned. I had to do the same thing. The 255/45/17's are also very common. Your alignment settings and suspension condition will also affect your tire clearance. I wish that I had some pictures to put on line for you to see.

 

[Whiplash]

Whiplash, You will also need to zip tie your parking brake cables to your lower control arms like 1971ultra mentioned. I had to do the same thing. The 255/45/17's are also very common. Your alignment settings and suspension condition will also affect your tire clearance. I wish that I had some pictures to put on line for you to see.

Guys, thanks for all the help. Unfortunately finding 17in rims has become a nightmare!

First I tried Edelbrach 409's - Manufacturer discontinued
Second a set of MB Motoring Kane's - Shop said they came in 0 offset - nope only 10mm offset and rubbed frame.
Third - Shop said they could get Boyd Coddington Smoothie II's - 8-10 Week back order even direct from Boyd's
O.K. Finally I decided I'd just settle for Torque Thrust II's - 6-8 weeks special order.

If it was the middle of winter that wouldn't be a problem but it's Spring in Texas and the next 8 weeks are the best time for a convertible. After that it's going to be very hot. Plus the tires on the car are 20 year old bias ply's that have to go if I want to drive and with the new suspension the car needs a 4 wheel alignment.

I give up on the 17's. Looks like stock 15 Ralleye's for me. I went down to the local collecter Corvette shop to find the best fit. Stock is 215/15/70 or some say 225/15/70. Both are too narrow, newer C3's have 255/60/15's but they are too wide for a 71 I've been told. So I think I'm going with 245/60/15's. I saw them on a 69 and they looked like a good fit.

I'd appreciate comments on my situation above and confirmation on the 245/60/15's for fit from anyone.

Thanks again. I'm very close to back on the road.

Whiplash

 

[68Roadster]

Whip,
I have 255/60R15's all the way around.....they do catch the front of the rocker panels in a hard turn.
I have the back two off right now doing some rear end work, your'e welcome to come by and we could stick 'em on your ride and check it out...........

Cee

 

[Whiplash]

Whip,
I have 255/60R15's all the way around.....they do catch the front of the rocker panels in a hard turn.
I have the back two off right now doing some rear end work, your'e welcome to come by and we could stick 'em on your ride and check it out...........

Cee

Hey Cee, that's very kind of you to offer. I'm very close to getting back on the road again. I have to put in the rear spring tomorrow. I solved my oil pressure problem today. I've resolved myself to keeping the 15's for this year. I'd put the 255's on but my wife plans on driving this car a lot once I get it done. I don't want her to have to think about how to drive it. If it were just me I'd deal with the potential rub with little concern.

I went by Corvette World's new showroom on Northwest Highway yesterday and saw several sizes on bumper cars. The 245's fit the wheel well the best and I'm hoping the slightly smaller width and aspect ratio will alieviate the potential rubbing.

I'd love to stop by and see your 68 some time however. I'll keep you posted on my progress and when she's running solid again we can set up a time for lunch before it gets too hot to enjoy these cars.

Thanks for the offer.

Jon

 

[WayneLBurnham]

1971Ultra - hey how does your CSI pump work?

Sorry to break the thread -

I was just about to buy the SPAL fans and considering the CSI/Mezziere or Proform 35-37 GPM pumps and was heavily advised not to....that electrics just didn't flow enough peak - since they weren't RPM weighted like a manual pump.

How long have you had that on there? Any heating probs in Arizona sun? Put lots of miles on it? Did you have it on with an earlier original radiator? (I am putitng off the radiator for a while since mine is in pretty decent shape.)
Do you run at higher RPMs for long extended periods? Ever had it cut out?
tellmeTellMeTELLME!!! I must know EVERYTHING, NOW!!!

I'm running BFG 255/50/17 all the way around.

I need to start thinking wheels too. I have the original heavy monster rallies on there with Michelin Pilot XGT V4 225/60...I THINK.

I had planned to use the mild rear flares 69MyWay put on his and either the VBP offset trailing arms or the new VanSteel DOUBLE offset ones if they are actually offset MORE. Supposedly 10" rear rims are no problems with the "regular" offset TA's alone - with these new "doubles" and those mild flares, 12" may be doable with a 12-14" section. With the little tiny engine in there now and even with the coming mild upgrade, I don't have need for that big a meats, but I will. On the front end I had not gotten far enough to find out about.

With the monster VBP sway bars and transverse front spring & tubular upper and lower aframe mods, the car already handles like a dream - WITH the 15" tires. I can't wait to see what it does with 17" or 18" modern tires. It was hard to watch the little cheapy GTech ancient model, but I saw well over .6G on a sideways measurement of a curve and wasn't super pushing it...wow - and again, with way too flexible 15" meats!

 

[1971Ultra]

Sorry to break the thread -

I was just about to buy the SPAL fans and considering the CSI/Mezziere or Proform 35-37 GPM pumps and was heavily advised not to....that electrics just didn't flow enough peak - since they weren't RPM weighted like a manual pump.

How long have you had that on there? Any heating probs in Arizona sun? Put lots of miles on it? Did you have it on with an earlier original radiator? (I am putitng off the radiator for a while since mine is in pretty decent shape.)
Do you run at higher RPMs for long extended periods? Ever had it cut out?
tellmeTellMeTELLME!!! I must know EVERYTHING, NOW!!!

Hi Wayne,

There has been alot of opinions on the pros and cons of an electric waterpump. Here's my take:

I have had NO issues with the CSI pump.

For an assortment of reasons the CSI electric pump was recommended to me when the Fastburn was installed in my car. At that time, I had never even heard of an electric waterpump. So, throwing caution to the wind (read here $$$) I said sure go ahead. This was done together with the aluminum radiator and dual fans.

I liked the fact that they push a lot of water throught the block and it also looks really :cool. This will be my first summer in Arizona with this pump. I will be very interested in its performance especially when it is a million degrees and with the A/C on.

Also, this car is not a daily driver and I do not race it. However, I have driven for several hours at a time with no issues. The engine stays nice and cool. Of course I have dual Spal's and an aluminum radiator to help. I believe the life expectancy is approx. 2500 hours. Which for my driving habits, it will last me something like 6 to 8 years.

So I guess it just depends on your driving habits on whether you think it is the way to go. The only drawback for me is that they're no serpentine belt systems. March has one but it for cars without A/C. And I don't think I will be running around AZ without A/C.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Kipp